- Family Group Sheet
- Biography
- Photos
- Birth Records
- Marriage Records
- Death Records
- Census Records
- Other Records
- Sources
Family Group Sheet
| Husband: | Philip Henry Shafer |
|---|
| Born: | 06 Mar 1846 | in: Butler Co., OH |
| Died: | 06 Feb 1925 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Father: | George Eckart Shafer (1820-1901) | |
| Mother: | Margaret E Wolf (1824-1885) | |
| 1st Wife: | Mary Jane Thompson |
|---|
| Married: | 27 Aug 1868 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Born: | 24 Mar 1848 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 07 Jan 1883 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Father: | Ebenezer Thompson (1823-1896) | |
| Mother: | Permelia Blair (1826-1849) | |
| CHILDREN |
|---|
| 1 M Name: | Charles M Shafer | |
| Born: | 15 Jun 1869 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 26 Oct 1872 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| 2 M Name: | John A Shafer | |
| Born: | 16 Dec 1871 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 06 Aug 1872 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| 3 M Name: | George Elmer Shafer | |
| Born: | 09 Jun 1873 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 17 May 1963 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Married: | 20 Aug 1892 | in: |
| Spouse: | Minnie E Stroup | |
| Born: | 28 Oct 1869 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 23 Nov 1943 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Children: |
Dessie F Shafer (1893-1970) m. Floyd M Miller (-1967) J Cleo Shafer (1895-1910) Rachel Jane Shafer (1897-1932) m. Lessel McClurg (1894-1940) Georgana Shafer (1898-1899) Josephine H Shafer (1901-1902) Mary Ed Shafer (1905-2000) m. Theadore Bischoff (1898-1972) Phyllis L Shafer (1908-) m. Donald Marks |
|
| Married: | in: | |
| Spouse: | Ida Rosana Eubank Miller | |
| Born: | 14 Dec 1865 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 21 Sep 1957 | in: Lake City, MI |
| 4 F Name: | Jennie Alice Shafer | |
| Born: | 27 Jun 1876 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 02 May 1947 | in: Fife Lake, MI |
| Married: | 03 Apr 1896 | in: |
| Spouse: | Charles Tilden Bonewitz | |
| Born: | 1876 | in: IA |
| Died: | 24 Feb 1943 | in: Fife Lake, MI |
| Children: |
Elsie Elizabeth Bonewitz (1897-1974) m. Leon A Brunett (1893-1970) Edith Bonewitz (1900-1901) Elma Jane Bonewitz (1902-) m. Jonas C Sprague (1901-) |
|
| 5 F Name: | Fannie A Shafer | |
| Born: | 24 Apr 1879 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | Mar 1969 | in: Jackson, MI |
| Married: | 27 Nov 1902 | in: |
| Spouse: | Perry Keller | |
| Born: | in: | |
| Died: | in: | |
| Children: |
Harriett Keller (1905-1984) m. Albert H Wagner (1897-1948) Philip S Keller (1908-1961) m. Myra Colton Paul Keller (1914-1985) m. Mary Martin |
|
| 6 F Name: | Grace Shafer | |
| Born: | 03 Jan 1883 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 03 Jan 1883 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| 2nd Wife: | Sarah Landona Elizabeth Ruble |
|---|
| Married: | 23 Jan 1884 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Born: | 29 Aug 1862 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 23 Mar 1933 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Father: | Jonathan W Ruble (1816-1872) | |
| Mother: | Ruth Ruse (1823-1907) | |
| CHILDREN |
|---|
| 1 F Name: | Mildred Landona Shafer (1884-1962) |
| Spouse: | Webster John Thompson (1881-1966) |
| 2 F Name: | Ruth Edna Shafer | |
| Born: | 06 Oct 1886 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 20 May 1938 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Married: | in: | |
| Spouse: | Frank Ernest Poling | |
| Born: | in: | |
| Died: | in: | |
| Children: |
Earl Poling Emely Irene Poling (1910-) m. Charles Llewellyn Enos George Silas Poling (1918-1927) |
|
| 3 F Name: | Ada Shafer | |
| Born: | 18 Jul 1888 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 18 Jul 1888 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| 4 M Name: | Harry Philip Shafer | |
| Born: | 27 Apr 1890 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 12 Sep 1961 | in: Wells Co., IN |
| Married: | 28 Nov 1912 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Spouse: | Dalta C Garretson | |
| Born: | 21 Aug 1891 | in: |
| Died: | 08 Mar 1984 | in: |
| Children: |
Leila A Shafer (1913-1958) m. Charles Kirtley (1913-1982) Ilene M Shafer (1915-2009) m. Carl Marshall (-1990) Maurice E Shafer (1917-1918) Philip John Shafer (1918-2007) m. Evelyn Shell Dwight G Shafer (1920-2003) m. Mary Martha Good (1924-) Martha Joan Shafer (1930-) m. Robert Richardson Hugh Allen Shafer (1931-) m. Lou Ann Parker |
|
| 5 M Name: | Howard McKinley Shafer | |
| Born: | 05 Apr 1893 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 05 Jan 1970 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Married: | 06 Sep 1916 | in: IN |
| Spouse: | Mary Eleanor Bonham | |
| Born: | 30 Mar 1897 | in: |
| Died: | 20 Jul 1944 | in: |
| Children: |
Dean Harold Shafer (1918-2000) m. Wilma Iris Hatcher (1921-1999) Louis Bonham Shafer (1928-) m. Cecelia Esther Campbell (1929-) Dorothy Ruth Shafer (1931-) m. Harold Laurila (1932-) |
|
| 6 F Name: | Frances E Shafer | |
| Born: | 28 Sep 1897 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 24 Jun 1966 | in: |
| Married: | in: | |
| Spouse: | Alonzo Bolton Garrett | |
| Born: | 1893 | in: |
| Died: | 17 Feb 1968 | in: |
| Children: |
Frank Philip Garrett (1917-1944) m. Eileen Louise Odle George William Garrett (1919-) m. Joan Sawyer Robert Shafer Garrett (1921-1953) m. Eleanor Jenkins Betty Lou Garrett (1923-1924) Richard Eugene Garrett (1925-2012) Suzanne Elizabeth Garrett (1929-2011) m. Raymond Richard Commers (1923-1989) Thomas Lee Garrett (1930-) m. Joyce Ann Rumple Betsy Nell Garrett (1932-2007) m. John Hess Noe |
|
| 7 M Name: | Weir Lincoln Shafer | |
| Born: | 26 Dec 1899 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 15 May 1968 | in: Wells Co., IN |
| Married: | 23 Aug 1923 | in: |
| Spouse: | Pauline Idella Huff | |
| Born: | 02 Oct 1903 | in: Grant Co., IN |
| Died: | 20 Aug 1946 | in: Wells Co., IN |
| Children: |
Wade Harvey Shafer (1923-) m. Julia Anne Burns Philip Henry Shafer (1925-) m. Mary Ellen Siberry Wauline Eura Shafer (1931-) m. Robert Mather Lee Edward Shafer (1937-) m. Jane Bailey Larry Wayne Shafer (1939-) m. Rhada Massengell Loren DeWayne Shafer (1939-1939) |
|
| Married: | 30 Oct 1947 | in: |
| Spouse: | Ruth Florea | |
| Born: | in: | |
| Died: | in: | |
| 8 M Name: | Ilo A Shafer | |
| Born: | 14 Apr 1902 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
| Died: | 04 Feb 1904 | in: Huntington Co., IN |
Biography and Timeline
From History of Huntington County, Indiana, 1914:
Since he was sixteen years of age Philip H Shafer has been a resident of Huntington county, and at that date began to assist his father in the clearing of a portion of the wilderness, and some of the land which his boyhood labors helped to develop is still in his possession. Having lived in Huntington county for half a century, Mr. Shafer bears an unusual relation to the soil in this locality, and presents in his history elements of unusual interest. The difference in the condition of the land now from what it was when the Shafer family first settled here represents not only the achievements of its occupants in cultivating and improving it, but also the general progress of this region since civilization was first planted in it. Personally Mr. Shafer is regarded as one of Huntington county's ablest and most prosperous farmer citizens, and a man who has used his own success not selfishly, but to promote the welfare and progress of his community and has always taken a helpful part in bearing the burdens of his neighbors.
Butler county, Ohio, is the native home of Philip H. Shafer, and be was born three miles northwest of Middletown March 6, 1846. His parents were George E. and Margaret (Wolf) Shafer, who moved to Huntington county in 1863, locating in Salamonie township, where the father bought one hundred and sixty acres of land. That Iand was covered practically as to every acre by heavy wood, and the original price paid for it was one thousand dollars, The father with the aid of his boys, of whom Philip was the oldest, started in to hew down the trees, to grub the stumps, and clear off a space for cultivation of field crops. That was a tremendous undertaking, and would be yet today, and it is with a natural pride that Mr. Shafer now regards his possession of one hundred acres of the original quarter section, his own toil having assisted materially in the, improvement of that place. The parents continued their residence on the old homestead until their death. The father was a devout member of the United Brethren church and one of the leaders in that denomination in Huntington county, There were six children in the family, five of whom are still living: Philip H.; Emily M., deceased; John W. Shafer, of Bluffton, Indiana; Mary A., wife of Jasper Jones of Warren; Sarah, who is unmarried and lives at Decatur, Indiana; and Jacob E. Shafer, of Salamonie township.
Philip H. Shafer when the family moved to Huntington county in 1863 was already at an age where he was ready to take up the serious responsibilities of life. His education had been acquired by attendance at the district schools of Butler county, Ohio, and the intervals had been filled in by practical training in the work of farm and household. However, he continued his education by one term in Huntington county. When he was twenty years of age he started out to win his fortune, having no capital, and after working for two years was given a small piece of land by his father. His subsequent prosperity has been the result of his steady labor, economy, good business judgment, and from the generous reward which Indiana agriculture has paid to all its devotees during the last half century.
Mr. Shafer first married Mary J. Thompson, daughter of Ebenezer and Pamelia (Ware) Thompson, who were early settlers of Salamonie township. Mrs. Shafer lived as wife and mother for sixteen years, and in that time six children were born, three of whom are yet living, namely: George E. Shafer; Jennie A., wife of Charles F. Bonewitz, of Michigan; and Fannie A., wife of Perry Keller of Huntington. After the death of his first wife Mr. Shafer was married on June 23, 1884, to Sarah L. E. Ruble, who was born in Salamonie township August 29, 1862, a daughter of Jonathan and Ruth (Ruse) Ruble. To this marriage were born eight children, six of whom are living in 1914, namely: Mildred L., who graduated from the common schools and is now the wife of Webster J. Thompson; Ruth E., wife of Ernest Poling; Harry P., a graduate of the common schools and who married Dalta Garretson; Howard M., who finished a common school course and lives at home Frances E. W., who has also finished her work in the common schools and is now at home; Weir L., who is thirteen years old and completed the grade school work in 1913.
The family attend worship in the Christian church at Buckeye, Indiana, and Mr. Shafer is very much interested in church affairs. Politically he was always a straight republican up to the campaign of 1912, when he accepted the principles and platform of the new party and voted as a progressive. His many years as a practical farmer has brought ample possessions, comprising four hundred and seventy acres of fine farm lands in Sections 14, 15, 22 and 23 in Salamonie township, situated three miles northeast of Warren on the Marion and Bluffton Pike. At the same time he has employed his prosperity to give his family all needed comforts and luxuries, and the children have all been, well trained both at home and in school.
Timeline:
| Date: | Place: | Event: |
| 1846 | OH, Butler Co. | Birth: Philip |
| 1850 | OH, Butler Co. | Census: Philip (age 4) living with parents, attended school |
| 1860 | OH, Butler Co. | Census: Philip (age 14) living with parents, attended school |
| 1862 | IN, Huntington Co. | Birth: Sarah |
| 1868 | IN, Huntington Co. | Marriage: Philip and Mary |
| 1870 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Philip (age 24) farmer, Mary (age 22) |
| 1870 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Sarah (age 8) living with parents, attended school |
| 1880 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Philip (age 34) farmer, Mary (age 32) |
| 1880 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Sarah (age 17) living with step-father, servant |
| 1883 | IN, Huntington Co. | Death: Mary |
| 1884 | IN, Huntington Co. | Marriage: Philip and Sarah |
| 1900 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Philip (age 54) farmer, Sarah (age 37) |
| 1910 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Philip (age 64) farmer, Sarah (age 48) |
| 1920 | IN, Huntington Co. | Census: Philip (age 73) farmer, Sarah (age 57) |
| 1925 | IN, Huntington Co. | Death: Philip |
| 1930 | IN, Grant Co. | Census: Sarah (age 70) widowed, living with son-in-law |
| 1933 | IN, Huntington Co. | Death: Sarah |
Family Photos
Philip and Sarah
|
Left to right: George Elmer Shafer, Jennie Alice Shafer, and Fannie Shafer
Birth Records
Marriage Records
Philip H Shafer and Sarah L Ruble marriage license, Huntington Co., IN, applied and married on Jan 23, 1884:
Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 (Ancestry.com):
Name: Sarah L. Ruble
Spouse Name: Phillip H. Shafer
Marriage Date: 23 Jan 1884
Marriage County: Huntington
Source Title 1: Huntington County Indiana
Source Title 2: Marriage Records 1883-1900
Source Title 3: Part I - Index of Grooms Part II - Index of Brides
Book: H
OS Page: 103
Death Records
Philip H. Shafer
1846 - 1925
Mary Jane Shafer
1848 - 1882
Landona Shafer
1862 - 1933
Woodlawn Cemetery
Warren
Huntington County, IN
Philip H Shafer obituary, Huntington Press, Sunday February 15, 1925:
Huntington Press Sunday February 15, 1925 Philip H. Shafer, 78 years old, died at his home in Warren on February 6. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. J.I. Brimberry of the Church of Christ, and burial was in Woodlawn cemetery. He was married early in life to Mary J. Thompson, and who passed away many years ago. Six children were born to them, of whom three survive, being George E. Shafer, of Warren; Mrs. Perry Keller, of Logansport, and Mrs. Charles Bonewitz, of Fife Lake, Mich. He married the second time to Sarah E. Ruble, and eight children were born of this union, of whom six are living. They are Mrs. Webster Thompson, of near Warren; Mrs. Ruth E. Poling, of Huntington; Harry R. and Howard M. living near the old home, Mrs. Alonzo Garrett of Bluffton, Jacob E. who lives on the old Shafer homestead; Mrs. Jasper Jones, of Warren and Sarah E. Shafer, of Marion. Of grandchildren there were 37, 27 of whom are living, and 8 great-grandchildren, seven of which are living. With his wife, who survives, he transferred his membership from the Buckeye congregation to the Warren Church of Christ, five years ago, under the preaching of Percy George Cross, and the ministry of C.E. Scifres. Since then though handicapped because of age, he has maintained an abiding interest in the faith of his early obedience.
Philip H Shafer obituary, Bluffton, Indiana Evening News, Friday, February 06, 1925:
Philip H. Shafer Dies Near Warren. Brother of John W. Shafer Died Early Today-Funeral Sunday. Philip H. Shafer, 78, died this morning at 2:30 at his home two miles east of Warren. He had been in failing health for several months, but had only been confined to his bed for one week. Death was caused by infirmities of old age. Mr. Shafer was born in Butler county, near Middletown, Ohio, on March 6, 1846, and was a son of George and Margaret Shafer. When he was sixteen he came with his family to Huntington county and had resided in the vicinity of Warren since that time. Early in life he was married to Mary J. Thompson, who passed away many years ago. Six children were born to then, of whom three survive, George E. Shafer, of Warren; Mrs. Charles Bonawitz, of Fife Lake, Michigan and Mrs. Parry Keller, of Logansport. He was married a second time to Sarah E. Rupel [sic Ruble], and of eight children born six are living, Mrs. Webster Thompson, of Warren; Ruth E., of Huntington; Harry T. and Howard M., living near the old home; Mrs. Alonzo Garrett, of this city, and Weir L., at home. Two brothers and one sister also survive, John W., of this city; Jacob of Salamonie, and Mrs. Jasper Jones, of Warren. Mr. Shafer was one of the prominent and well-to-do farmers of Huntington county, and was universally respected by all who knew him. He was a member of the Church of Christ of Warren. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at two o'clock at the Warren Church of Christ, and burial will be in the Woodlawn cemetery at Warren.
Mary Jane Thompson Shafer obituary, The Warren Weekly, January 11, 1883:
Sarah E Shafer obituary, Huntington Herald-Press, Friday March 24, 1933:
Huntington Herald-Press Friday March 24, 1933 Shafer, Sarah E. Ruble Warren, March 24-(Special) Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Shafer, seventy, died at the Shafer homestead, two miles south of Warren, at 5 o'clock last night. Death was caused by diabetes. She had been seriously ill eight weeks. Mrs. Shafer was born near Warren, August 29,1862, to Johnathan and Ruth Ruble. Her marriage was to Philip Shafer January 23, 1882. He died February 6, 1925. Three daughters, Mrs. Mildred Thompson, Warren; Mrs. Ruth Poling, Huntington; and Mrs. Frances Garrett, Bluffton; three sons, Harry Shafer, Warren; Howard Shafer, Warren; Werr Shafer, Warren; a sister, Mrs. James Myers, Pleasant Plain; two brothers, James Ruble, Pleasant Plain, Aaron Ruble, Warren, and three step-children, survive. She was a member of the Warren Church of Christ where funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Rev. C.E. Scifries, of Portland, Ind., in charge, assisted by the Rev. E.J. Cain, of Warren. Burial will be at the Woodlawn cemetery here.
H. Brown and Sons Funeral Home Records:
Shafer, Philip H.
B. 6 Mar 1846 OH. D. 6 Feb 1925.
bur. Woodlawn Cem. Warren, IN.
Fa. George E. Shafer. Mo. Margaret Wolfe.
Shafer, Sarah Elizabeth
B. 29 Aug 1862 Warren, IN. D. 24 Mar 1933 Htgn Co., IN.
bur. Woodlawn Cem. Warren.
Fa. Jonathan Ruble. Mo. Ruth Ruse.
Ch. Mildred Thompson, Ruth Poling, Harry, Howard, Frances, Garrett & Weir.
Sib. Mary Myers, James & Aaron.
George E. Shafer obituary, Bluffton, Indiana News Banner, Friday, May 17, 1963:
George E. Shafer, 89, a former resident of Warren, died at 7 a.m. today at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Floyd (Dessie) Miller of Huntington Route 1. A native of Salamonie Twp., Huntington County, Mr. Shafer was born June 6, 1873, the son of Philip H. and Mary Jane Thompson Shafer. A first marriage was to Minnie E. Stroup Aug. 20, 1892. Her death occurred in 1943. His second wife, the former Ida Miller, died in 1957. Mr. Shafer, a retired farmer, was a member of the Congregational Christian Church at Warren. He has resided in Warren until four years ago, after which he lived with his church. Surviving are two other daughters, Mrs. Theodore (Mary) Bischoff of Marion and Mrs. Phyllis Marks of Fort Wayne; a sister, Mrs. Fannie Keller of Jackson, Mich.; two half-brothers, Weir Shafer and Howard Shafer, both of Warren Route 3; a half-sister, Mrs. Alonzo Garrett of Bluffton; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Friends may call after 7 p.m. today at the H. Brown and Son Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. C. A. Duncan officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery at Warren.
Minnie E. Shafer obituary, Bluffton, Indiana News Banner, Monday, November 29, 1943:
Mrs. George Shafer Buried At Warren. Death Follows Fracture Of Hip In Fall; Ill Three Weeks. Funeral services were held this afternoon at the Warren Congregational Christian church for Mrs. Minnie E. Shafer, 74, whose death occurred Friday night at the Huntington county hospital. Services were in charge of Revs. W. M. Jay and C. C. Cole, and burial was in the Woodlawn cemetery at Warren. She had been a patient at the hospital three weeks following a fall in which she suffered a fractured hip. Surviving are the husband, George Shafer, and three daughters, Mrs. Dessie Miller, of Huntington, and Mrs. Mary Bischoff and Mrs. Phyllis Marks, of Fort Wayne.
Ruth E. Shafer Poling obituary, Huntington Herald-Press Friday May 20, 1938:
Following two months' illness during which she was bedfast the last two weeks, Mrs. Ruth E. Poling, 51, died at 9:30 a.m. Friday at her home, 210 Frederick street. She had been an employee of the Schacht Rubber company as a finisher until March 11 when ill health forced her retirement. Mrs. Poling was born October 6, 1886, in Salamonie township to Phillip and Landona Safer and was married to Frank E. Poling. She leaves a daughter, Mrs. Irene Enos, and two grandchildren, Gloria Ann and Patricia Ann, all of Goodland, Ind. Two sons, Earl and Silas, are dead. Three brothers, two sisters, two half-sisters and a half-brother also survive. Brothers are Harry Shafer, Howard Shafer, all of Warren. Sisters are Mrs. Francis Garrett, of Bluffton, and Mrs. Webb Thompson, of Warren. The half-sisters are Mrs. Jennie Bonewitz, of Grand Rapids, Mich. And Mrs. Fannie Keller, of Jackson, Mich., and the half-brother is George Shafer, of Warren. She was a member of the Central Christian church where funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. John Paul Pack, pastor, will officiate and burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery at Warren.
Harry Philip Shafer obituary, Bluffton, Indiana News Banner, Wednesday, September 13, 1961:
Harry Philip Shafer, 71 of Warren Route 3 died at 11:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Wells County Hospital. He had been seriously ill two weeks. Death was due to cancer. Born April 27, 1890 in Salamonie Twp., Huntington County, he was the son of Philip and Elizabeth Ruble Shafer. His marriage Nov. 28, 1912 in Lancaster Twp., Huntington County, was to Dalta C. Garretson, who survives. A lifelong resident of Salamonie Twp., Mr. Shafer was a DeKalb seed salesman and a farmer. He was a member of the Warren Church of Christ and the Warren IOOF Lodge. Surviving, in addition to the wife, are two daughters, Mrs. Ilene Marshall of North Manchester and Miss Martha Shafer of Warren Route 3; three sons, Philip J. of Huntington Route 7, Dwight of Huntington Route 3 and Hugh of Warren Route 3. Also surviving are three brothers, George E. of Marion, Howard and Weir, both of Warren Route 3; three sisters, Mrs. Fannie Keller of Jackson, Mich., Mrs. Mildred Thompson of Warren Route 3 and Mrs. Alonzo Garrett of Bluffton, and 12 grandchildren. Friends may call at the Grogg Funeral Home at Warren after 7 p.m. today. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Warren Church of Christ with Rev. Dewey Zent officiating, assisted by Rev. Harvey Schondelmayer. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery. A preferred form of remembrance would be a contribution to the cancer fund.
Howard M. Shafer obituary, Huntington Herald-Press Tuesday January 6, 1970:
Howard M. Shafer 76, was found dead at his home, Rt. 3 Warren, at 10:30 a.m. Monday. He was a retired farmer and poultry breeder, a member of the Church of Christ, and a lifelong resident of the county. He was born in Salamonie Township, Huntington County, to Philip H. and Sarah Ruble Shafer, and was married Sept. 6, 1916 to Mary E. Bonham, who died July 20, 1944. He is survived by two sons, Dean Rt. 6 Marion, Louis, Marion; a daughter Mrs. Harold (Dorothy) Laurila, Rittman, Ohio, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Friends may call at the H. Brown Funeral Home, Warren, after 7 p.m. Tuesday, until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, when the body will be taken to the Church of Christ. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Church of Christ, with Rev. Leland Paul officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery.
Weir L. Shafer obituary, Huntington Herald-Press Thursday May 16, 1968:
Salamonie Township farmer and lifelong resident of Rt. 3, Warren, Weir L. Shafer, 68, died at 4:44 p.m. Wednesday in the Clinic Hospital, Bluffton, after an illness of eight months. He was born December 26, 1899, to Philip H. and Londona Ruble Shafer and married Pauline I. Huff, August 23, 1923. She died August 20, 1946. The second marriage on October 30, 1947, was to Ruth Florea. Surviving are the widow, four sons, Wade Shafer, West Lafayette; Philip Shafer, Troy, Ohio; Lee Shafer, Mt. Prospect, Ill., and Larry Shafer, Wayne, Mich.; a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Wauline) Mather, West Lafayette; 16 grandchildren, a brother, Howard Shafer, Rt. 3 Warren and a half-sister, Mrs. Fannie Keller, Jackson, Mich. Mrs. Shafer, who operated the Shafer Apple Orchard for many years, was a member of the Church of Christ, Warren. Friends may call after 7 p.m. Thursday in the H. Brown and Son Funeral Home, Warren, until 9:30 a.m. Saturday when the body will be taken to the Church of Christ, Warren, for services at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. William Weaver officiating. Preferred memorials are requested to the Huntington County Cancer Society. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Warren.
Pauline Idella Shafer obituary, Bluffton, Indiana News Banner Wednesday, August 21, 1946:
Mrs. Pauline Idella Shafer, 42, three miles east of Warren, died at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Clinic hospital of heart trouble following an illness of several months. She was born in Van Buren, Oct. 2, 1903, a daughter of Harvey and Eura E. Love Huff. Her marriage to Weir Shafer took place Aug. 23, 1923. He survives. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Warren. Surviving also are the children, Lt. Wade Shafer, stationed near Tokyo, Japan; Philip Shafer, of Detroit; Wauline, Lee and Larry, all at home; two brothers, Ned L. Huff and Dr. Chester Huff, of Hartford City, and two sisters, Mrs. Henry Jones of Hartford City, and Mrs. Robert Lambert, of Indianapolis. Funeral arrangements have not been made pending word from Lt. Shafer in Japan. Burial will be in the Woodlawn cemetery at Warren.
Census Records
1850 Census, Ohio, Butler County, Madison Township:
| Phillip Shaffer | living with George and Margaret Shaffer, age 4, male, born in OH, attended school |
1860 Census, Ohio, Butler County, Madison Township:
| Phillip Henry Shaffer | living with George and Margaret Shaffer, age 14, male, born in OH, attended school |
1870 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township:
| Philip Shafer | age 24, male, farmer, $3000 real estate, $667 personal estate, born in OH |
| Mary Shafer | age 22, female, keeping house, born in IN |
| Charles Shafer | age 1, male, born in IN |
| Jane Thompson | age 75, female, born in PA, cannot read & write |
1870 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township:
| Sarah Ruble | living with Jonathan and Ruth Ruble, age 8, female, born in IN, attended school |
1880 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township:
| Phillip Shaffer | age 34, male, married, farmer, born in OH, parents born in OH |
| Mary J Shafer | age 32, female, wife, married, keeping house, born in IN, father born in KY |
| George E Shafer | age 7, male, son, single, attended school, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN |
| Jamie A Shafer | age 3, female, daughter, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN |
| Fannie A Shafer | age 1, female, daughter, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN |
1880 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township:
| Sarah L E Ruble | living with Samuel and Ruth Sutton, age 17, female, step daughter, single, servant, born in IN, parents born in OH |
1900 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township:
| P. Shafer | head, male, born Mar 1846, age 54, married 17 years, born in OH, parents born in OH, farmer, own farm free of mortgage |
| Sarah L E Shafer | wife, female, born Aug 1862, age 37, married 17 years, had 7 children, 6 still living, born in IN, father born in IN, mother born in OH |
| Mildred Shafer | daughter, female, born Nov 1884, age 15, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN, at school 7 months |
| Edna Shafer | daughter, female, born Oct 1886, age 13, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN, at school 7 months |
| Harry Shafer | son, male, born Apr 1890, age 10, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN, at school 7 months |
| Howard Shafer | son, male, born Apr 1893, age 7, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN, at school 6 months |
| Francis Shafer | daughter, female, born Sep 1897, age 2, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN |
| Weir Shafer | son, male, born Dec 1899, age 5/12, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN |
1910 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township:
| Philip H Shafer | head, male, age 64, married 2nd time 26 years, born in OH, parents born in OH, farmer, own farm free of mortgage |
| Sarah L Shafer | wife, female, age 48, married 1st time 26 years, had 8 children, 6 still living, born in IN, parents born in OH |
| Harry Shafer | son, male, age 20, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN, farm laborer |
| Howard Shafer | son, male, age 17, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN, farm laborer |
| Francis Shafer | daughter, female, age 12, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN, attended school |
| Weir L Shafer | son, male, age 10, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN, attended school |
1920 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township:
| Philip Shafer | head, own home, mortgaged, male, age 73, married, can read & write, born in OH, parents born in OH, farmer |
| Dona Shafer | wife, female, age 57, married, can read & write, born in IN, parents born in OH |
| Weir Shafer | son, male, age 20, single, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN, farmer |
| Edna Poling | daughter, female, age 33, divorced, born in IN, father born in OH, mother born in IN |
| Emilia Poling | granddaughter, female, age 9, single, attended school, born in IN, parents born in IN |
| George S Poling | grandson, male, age 2, single, born in IN, parents born in IN |
1930 Census, Indiana, Grant County, Jefferson Township, Upland:
| Sarah L Shaffer | living with Cleo and Florence Kent ?, mother-in-law, not living on farm, female, age 70, widowed, married at age 21, can read & write, born in IN, parents born in IN |
Notes and Other Records
Proof of lineage notes:
- 1884 marriage license shows Philip H Shafer and Sarah L Ruble married.
- 1900 census states that P Shafer is married to Sarah L E Shafer and father to Mildred, Edna, Harry, Howard, Francis, and Weir.
- 1914 biography states that Philip H Shafer married Sarah L E Ruble and that they are parents of Mildred, Ruth, Harry, Howard, Frances, and Weir.
- 1925 obituary for Philip H Shafer states that he married Sarah E Ruble and is father of Mrs. Webster Thompson of Warren.
- 1933 obituary for Sarah E Ruble Shafer states she married Philip Shafer and her children include Mrs. Mildred Thompson of Warren.
- 1962 obituary for Mildred L. Thompson states that she is child of Phillip and Sarah Landona Ruble Shafer.
- H. Brown and Sons Funeral Home records state that Sarah Elizabeth Shafer is mother to Mildred Thompson, Ruth, Harry, Howard, Frances, Garrett, and Weir.
In 1863 Philip was 17 when he drove one of the wagons from Ohio to their new home in Huntington Co., Indiana. He continued to live in this area for the rest of his life. With a lot of hard work, he accumulated 480 acres of good farm land in Salamonie Twp. Philip was a member of the Christian Church at old Buckeye and later joined the Church of Christ at Warren in 1921. He believed in never swearing, never smoking, and never drinking. He was known to be kind and generous to those less fortunate.
Sarah was originally hired to help during the illness and death of Philip's first wife Jane. She was a member of the Methodist Church at Plum Tree and later joined the Church of Christ at Warren in 1921. She also was known to be kind and generous to those less fortunate.
Sources and Credits
- Shafer Family, written around 1966. Work by: unknown.
- History of Huntington County, Indiana, 1914.
- 1884 marriage license, Huntington County, Indiana.
- Indiana Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 (Ancestry.com).
- 1850 Census, Ohio, Butler County, Madison Township.
- 1860 Census, Ohio, Butler County, Madison Township.
- 1870 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township.
- 1880 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township.
- 1900 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township.
- 1910 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township.
- 1920 Census, Indiana, Huntington County, Salamonie Township.
- Philip H Shafer Obituary, Huntington Press, Sunday February 15, 1925.
- Sarah E Ruble Obituary, Huntington Herald-Press, Friday March 24, 1933.
- Mildred L Thompson obituary, Huntington Herald-Press, Friday February 9, 1962.
- H. Brown and Sons Funeral Home Records.
- FindAGrave.com