"Uncle" John Shaffer and Frances Schmeltzer

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Husband "Uncle" John Shaffer ¹

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           Born: 1 Nov 1825 - Miles Twp, Centre Co, PA 2
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         Father: Adam Schaeffer (1796-1862) 3
         Mother: Lydia Bailey (1801-1847) 2

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       Marriage: 1848 2

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Wife Frances Schmeltzer ⁴

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           Born: 3 Dec 1825 4
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           Died: 18 Nov 1892 2
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         Father: George Schmeltzer (1794-1878) 5
         Mother: Margaret Beckle (1792-1845) 6

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Children

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1 M Edmund F. Shaffer ⁷

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           Born: 28 Mar 1849 7
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           Died: 18 Feb 1858 7
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         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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2 F Margaret J. Shaffer ⁸

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            AKA: Johanna Shaffer 7
           Born: Dec 1850 - Sugar Valley, Clinton Co, PA 8
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         Spouse: John H. Roush (1850-      ) 9
           Marr: Jan 1873 - Rebersburg, Centre Co, PA 8

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3 M Washington Shaffer ⁷

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           Born: 
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4 F Emma Shaffer ⁷

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           Born: 
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         Spouse: Wilson Hazel (      -      ) 7

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5 M Thomas Shaffer ⁷

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6 F Mary A. Shaffer ⁷

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           Born: 8 May 1863 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 13 Aug 1867 7
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         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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General Notes: Husband - "Uncle" John Shaffer

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For many years he was a leading citizen of Miles township, Centre County, Pennsylvania, and was known far and near as "Uncle Shaffer," his genial, kindly nature having won the affectionate regard of all who knew him.

His early educational opportunities were extremely limited, the free school system not being heard of until his school days were about ended. As the eldest son, there was plenty of work found for him at home, and many days were spent in riding the horses which tramped out the wheat in the barn after the old-fashioned way. A bright, observant mind can learn much outside of books, however. As a young man he visited Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, making the return journey from Indiana to the vicinity of Wheeling on a horse which he sold at that point, continuing the trip by stage and by water. After that time he made three other visits to the West, stopping in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio, and he also saw the principal points of interest in the East. In order to cure him of any early attack of the "Western Fever," his father offered him the home farm under advantageous circum-stances, and Mr. Shaffer accepted the offer.

After his marriage he made his home on the old farm near Madisonburg, with the exception of five years in Clinton County. It formerly contained 200 acres, but Mr. Shaffer sold about sixty acres to his son, Thomas. Possessing rare mechanical ability, he delighted in working at the blacksmith's trade, also in coopering, and in two shops which he fitted up on his farm he carried on these trades as occasion offered, doing the work more for pastime than for anything else. For years he did most of his own blacksmithing. Jolly and good natured, he enjoyed a hearty laugh even at his own expense, and he had a host of friends among young and old. His wealth was not gained through penuriousness and self-denial; he enjoyed life, and tried to help those around him do the same. He was for years a "pillar" in the Lutheran Church, and held "about every office except that of preacher." In politics he was a Democrat, first, last and all the time, but he never cared for office, although for twelve years he was overseer of the poor.

1 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 259, 320.

2 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 259.

3 John Blair Linn, History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1883), Pg 224.

4 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 320.

5 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 319, 473.

6 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 319.

7 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 260.

8 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 532.

9 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 260, 532.