Preston County, West Virginia Biography of William Morgan SCHAEFFER This file was submitted by CJ Towery, E-mail address: The submitter does not have a connection to the subject of this sketch. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II, pages 224-225 WILLIAM MORGAN SCHAEFFER, former sheriff of Preston County, was born in that county, has been a resident of Kingwood for a quarter of a century and has been actively and influentially associated with the affairs of this community the greater part of his life. His grandfather was Jacob Schaeffer, who came from Germany and founded the family in West Virginia in pioneer times. Israel Schaeffer, father of William Morgan, was born probably in Tucker County, West Virginia, was a carpenter by trade, following that occupation in younger years, and thereafter lived on a farm near Kingwood. Though self educated, he became a teacher and was regarded as one of the best in the county in his day. He was a republican, a member of the Methodist Church and active in the Sunday school, and was well versed in the Bible and also in secular knowledge. He could deliver a good speech before an audience. Israel Schaeffer married Jane Feather, member of a prominent family of Preston County. She died in the middle of life. Her children were: Zaccheus Allen, who left home when a youth and has never been beard from; Mary E., who became the wife of Thomas J. Trowbridge; Susan K., who married Rev. E. S. Wilson; Nancy M., Mrs. Leroy Show; Jacob F., who was a soldier in the Seventh Virginia Regiment and died just after coming out of the war; Rev. G. C. Schaeffer, who was with an Ohio regiment in the Union army, participating in the march to the sea under General Sherman and now lives at Temple, Oklahoma; William Morgan; and Sarah J., deceased wife of N. A. Wilson. William M. Schaeffer was born in the rural community near Kingwood, February 4, 1847. He grew up on a farm, with only the advantages of country schools, and before reaching his majority he went West and for two years clerked in a store at Paducah, Kentucky. On returning to West Virginia he was soon afterward made deputy sheriff, and performed the duties of deputy under Sheriffs Shaw, Shaffer and Lenhart. In 1904 Mr. Schaeffer was elected county sheriff, and gave an effective administration of the duties of that office for four years. On leaving the courthouse Mr. Schaeffer bought a farm, and until he practically retired made farming his regular business. He has always been a republican. In 1868, while in Kentucky and not long after his twenty-first birthday, he cast his first vote for President Grant. He has been active in the various campaigns, has attended conventions as a delegate and cast his ballot for the nomination of Congressman Dayton. Mr. Schaeffer is one of the old-time members of Alpine Lodge No. 35, Knights of Pythias, and has the veteran's jewel as a token of twenty-five years' membership. He has filled the chairs and has represented Alpine Lodge in the Grand Lodge. January 2, 1881, in Preston County, Mr. Schaeffer married Miss Nancy C. Whetsell, daughter of Isaac and Ellen (Felton) Whetsell. Mrs. Schaeffer was born in Preston County, where her ancestors settled several generations ago. Her father was a farmer, enlisted from Preston County in the Union army, and died soon after the war. Mrs. Schaeffer was born January 6, 1862, and is the second of three children, her brothers being Elias W. and Isaac C. In conclusion is presented a brief account of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer. Winfield Arch is bookkeeper for Sheriff Copeman of Preston County. Otta is the wife of Sheriff John F. Copeman. Don C. is a carpenter at Kingwood. Harry G. is general superintendent of No. 4 mine at Kingwood. Georgie Ann is the wife of Charles R. Zinn of Reedsville, West Virginia. Miss Daisy B. lives at home with her parents. Nellie C. is stenographer and bookkeeper with the State Educational Department at Charleston. Ruby G. is the wife of James T. Spahr, editor of the Kingwood Argus. Wilson Elva, youngest of the family and now at Kingwood, was an enlisted man during the World war, and was assigned to the Spruce Division, getting out material for the manufacture of aeroplanes in the spruce woods of Washington and Oregon, and received his honorable discharge at Camp Sherman.