CHARLES F. SHAEFFER, Lancaster; born in Lancaster, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1820; son of Frederick A. and Mary (Boos) Shaeffer.  Frederick Shaeffer was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and was born in 1792.  He came to Lancaster in 1812, a tailor by trade.  He followed that business above the store room of Christian King, for many years.  He married in 1817, and raised a numerous family.  He followed that business above the store room of Christian King, for many years.  He married in 1817, and raised a numerous family.  Five are living, four sons and one daughter.  At an early day he engaged in the hotel business, which he continued until 1858, when he engaged in the hotel business, which he continued until 1858, when he returned to his farm in Hocking township, and there resided until his death in January, 1879.  Charles F., the oldest living son, when about seventeen years old, entered the Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, where he completed his education, and for two years following he read law in the office of Hocking H. Hunter, and was immediately admitted to the bar at Lebanon, Ohio.  He began active practice, and continued until 1861, when he was appointed United States Assessor, a position that he filled for six years.  Since he has led rather a retired life.  Mr. Shaeffer was married June 18, 1846, to Rebecca S., daughter of Rev. Samuel Carpenter, who was one of the pioneer preachers of the Hocking Valley.  Mrs. Shaeffer was born in Lancaster, July 22, 1823.  There were six children born to this marriage, three sons and three daughters.  Mary S., the wife of Peter H. Ward, an attorney of Kentland, Indiana; Samuel C. an engineer by profession; Florence M., Frederick W., Charles A. and Laura Belle.  Mrs. Shaeffer died in December, 1876.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 359

ISAAC SHAEFFER of Madison township, came to the county in the spring of 1798, from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and built the first mill in Madison township, in 1804, afterwards known as the Defambaugh mill.  He first built a log house at that place, then built where S. V. Wolflives now, building the saw mill in 1814, and the grist mill in 1830.  He married Miss Julia Reams, daughter of Abram Reams, and his oldest daughter, Miss Delilah Shaeffer, born in January, between the first and fifteenth, 1800, he thinks he was the first while child born in the county.  His other children were Judith, Rachael, Joab and Isaac Shaeffer, Joab Shaeffer, his son, owned the Wolf mill in fee simple, for a time, but dying in 1846, the property revered to Isaac, first then the heirs of Joab, who owns it now.  Mr. Shaeffer was a large land holder, and did much to improve the condition of the new settlement.  Isaac Kerns, his grandson, was raised by him.  His daughter, Delilah, married Jacob Kerns, father of Isaac.  Judith married Christian Huber, and settled in Pleasant township.  Joab married Nancy Clark, of Hocking county and was the father of Julia Shaeffer, the wife of S. V. Wolf.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 357

JACOB SHAEFFER, of Madison township, is a son of Abram Shaeffer, the first settler of the township, and who came first, in 1798, with his brother, Isaac Shaeffer, Abram Ream, Martin Sandes and one or two others.  He returned east, after the first stay, a short time, then came back and settled where Mr. Kohler now lives, and in sight of where his son Jacob resides.  Abraham Shaeffer married Barbara Ream, sister to Julia, Isaac's wife, and their cabin was the simplest made in that day.  Then bears, wolves and deer were plenty, but the family would sometimes be three or four weeks without any bread.  The Indians were sometimes quite intimate and on one occasion gave some trouble.  Mr. Shaeffer went in search of his horse that was in the habit of running off, and after going a mile or so, found it in the possession of running off, and after going a mile or so, found it in the possession of Indians who wanted five dollars before they would consent to release the animal.  Mr. Shaeffer had the money in his pocket but feared to show his pocket-book and went back under the pretense of getting the money at home, and when sufficient distance took out the money and put it in his shoe, leaving the V in the pocket book.  This, however, satisfied them and he got his horse.  He made for himself moccasins for shoes and buck skin breeches.  The children were Joel,  born Dec. 18, 1800; Samuel, Ezra, Judida, Catharine, David, Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Ezra, again; Salem, George and Ada.  Jacob was born Apr. 13, 1814; received his education in the old Shaefer school house on his father's farm, and where he has toiled ever since.  In 1834 he married a daughter of Frederick J. Martin, an old settler, who lived where John F. Martin lives now.  He is the father of Judge Sylvanus Shaeffer, Mrs. Amanda Hilliard, James and Samuel Shaeffer.  He was elected land appraiser in 1862, and in 1880, and is well and favorably known over the county.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 358

JACOB G. SHAEFFER of Madison township, was born Sept. 28, 1794, in York county, Pennsylvania.  His father, Samuel Schaeffer, came, in the year 1802, and settled on land now owned by Israell Shaeffer.  His wife, Elizabeth Gilbert, died when Jacob was but five years old.  The children were Elizabeth, John, Andrew, Samuel G. and George who died when young.  Mr. Shaeffer was married the second time when about eighty years old, but left no issue by this marriage.  When they first built a cabin they had no floor to it, nor was it daubbed, and in this they lived for a time.  Some three yeas after they came, the first still house in the township was built on this farm, and manufactured the best of whisky.  These were the days of corn husking, grubbing, rolling logs, etc.  Jacob G. Shaeffer sometimes worked out, receiving for his compensation the magnificent sum of three dollars a month.  Went to Baltimore when young with a drove of hogs, and had not his girl been left behind, would have staid in Pennsylvania; but returned to get her in due time, and when not quite twenty-years of age married, and she not sixteen.  It was a love affair begun Aug. 30, sixty-eight years ago, and not yet consumated.  After the nuptial feast of this young couple, they walked into their new home the next day, where they have resided since.  Mrs. Shaeffer is now eighty-four years old, is in a helpless condition, and has lost her eye sight.  Mr. Shaeffer is in his eighty-eighth year of his age and does still drive a span of fractious horses.  The couple have pulled well together all through life, are now in possession of considerable landed estates, and are at luxurious ease in their old age.  Doctor Shaeffer, of Circleville, Ohio, is their son.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 358

S. THEODORE SHAEFFER, Probate Judge, Lancaster, Ohio; was born Aug. 9, 1842, in Madison township, Fairfield county, Ohio; son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Martens) Schaeffer.  Mr. Schaeffer was brought up on a farm, and followed that business until he was nineteen years of age, when he began teaching school in the winter season and continued farming in the summer season, until October, 1878, at which time he was elected to his present office, and in 1881 was re-elected.  All his teaching was done in Fairfield county.  At the age of twenty-six years he was elected Justice of the Peace for Clearcreek township, which office he held continuously for ten years, and resigned for the purpose of accepting his present office.  At the earnest solicitation of his friends he consented to accept the nomination for Probate Judge, and was first nominated for Justice of the Peace in his absence, both the offices being wholly unsought for upon his part.  The Judge was married the first time Mar. 6, 1866, to Louisa C., daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Hammel) Barr, of Clearcreek township, this county.  They became the parents of two children, viz.: Elizabeth C. and Laura A.  Mrs. Shaeffer died Apr. 10, 1874, aged twenty-nine years and two months.  He was married a second time Sept. 12, 1878, to Nannie A., daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Hammel) Barr, of Clearcreek township, this county.  They are the parents of two children, viz.:  Mary M. and Lola S.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 359

BENJAMIN SMITH, farmer, Liberty township; was born Jan. 5, 1805, in Berks county, Pennsylvania; son of Henry and Susannah S. Smith.  Benjamin received a fair education and learned the wagon maker's trade.  He commenced business for himself at the age of twenty-three years at his trade, continuing until 1837, when he came to Ohio, locating in Violet township, where he engaged in farming.  In the spring of 1855 he removed to Liberty township, and purchased one hundred and ninety-six acres, formerly known as the Wagner farm.  He owns in all three hundred and seventy acres in this township.  Mr. Smith married Miss A. Billock.  This union was blessed with thirteen children, nine of whom are living: Sarah, wife of Harrison Shaeffer, of Liberty township; William, a resident of Indiana; Mary Ann, wife of W. Cheeseman, now residing in Kansas; Henry and James live in Liberty township; Caroline, wife of Jacob Barr, of Logan, Ohio; John, Ezra Lucinda and Elizabeth are at home.  Benjamin died in 1865, aged thirty-one years; Samuel, a soldier in the late war, died Aug. 3, 1865, one week after reaching home, from disease contracted in the army.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 363

JOHN SMITH, farmer, Violet township, post office, Pickerington; was born in this township, Oct. 18, 1819; was married Feb. 4, 1843, to Mary Ann Dressler, daughter of Samuel and Mary Dressler, by whom he had nine children: Lewis C., born May 10, 1844; Samuel, born Jan. 29, 1846; Samantha, born Jan. 29, 1846; Elliot O., born June 30, 1848; Irene, born Nov. 26, 1850; Emma M., born Mar. 5, 1854; Anna C., born Dec. 11, 1856; Francis C., born Jun. 11, 1858; Sarah A., born Jan. 1, 1860.  After the death of his first wife he married Arabella (Myers) Ricketts, by whom he had one child.  Franklin, born Jan. 9, 1864.  Mr. Smith belonged to the Lutheran Church forty-three years, and in 1880 joined the Reformed Church.  He belongs to the F. & A. M., and has held several public offices.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 364

JOHN C. SMITH, confectioner, Lancaster; was born in Hesse, Germany, Oct. 2, 1820.  With his parents he emigrated to America in 1833.  The family settled in Columbia, Pennsylvania, where, after receiving a common school education, at the age of seventeen, he commenced an apprenticeship at the confectioner trade.  He worked as a journeyman two years.  In 1841, he came to Ohio, and was employed for several years in Cincinnati.  He settled in Lancaster in 1843, where he at once commenced the confectioner business in the Arnold corner, remaining there two years.  Following this, he did business in the Tallmadge block twenty-one years.  He then purchased the property on the northwest corner of Main and Columbus streets, where he is still doing an extensive business in confectionery, nuts, foreign fruits and toys.  Mr. Smith was married in 1844, to Miss Catherine Mayer.  They are the parents of four children, three now living: Rev. George H., now of the Sandwich Islands; Rev. William M., of Berrian Springs, Michigan, and Julia, at home.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 364

REV. ABSOLOM SNIDER, was born in Licking county, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1840.  He is the only son of J. W. and Susan Snider.  Mr. Snider was educated in the common schools of his native county, and reared upon a farm until he was eighteen years of age.  At that age he taught school.  He afterward attended normal school one term. Jan. 5, 1865, he was married to Effie E., daughter of Christopher and Jane Trovinger.  They are the parents of four sons an four daughters.  Soon after his marriage he located where he still lives.  He followed farming six years; during the time he prepared himself, by study, for the ministry.  In 1871 he united with the Scioto Conference of the U. B. Church, passed a regular examination, and was ordained in 1874.  His first charge was Jacksonville Circuit, Licking county, Ohio, where he remained five years.  From there he came to the Pleasant Run Circuit, having under his charge four appointments that demand all his time.  He has given the charge of the farm of sixty acres into the hands of his sons.  Mr. Snider is a self-made man, and served as township assessor from 1865 to 1871.  Christopher Trovinger was born in Washington county, Maryland, Feb. 23, 1808.  In 1815 he came to Ohio with his father, Samuel Trovinger, who settled upon the farm now owned by H. Sperry, which he cleared up, and where he lived to the time of his death, Apr. 6, 1852.  Christopher Trovinger became owner of three hundred acres of land, a good portion of which he cleared up.  He was a school teacher by profession, which he continued many years, until late in life.  He served as township clerk as early as 1832, filling that office, except one year, for thirty years.  Was first elected Justice of the Peace in 1836, holding that office almost continually for twenty-seven years.  Was County Commissioner, first elected in 1862, and reelected in 1865, serving six years.  He is a Democrat in politics; has been a member of the M. E. Church for thirty-seven years.  Mr. Trovinger married Jane Lyle, the daughter of an early settler, who settled on a part of what is known as the Lyle farm.  They became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, four daughters and two sons.  Mr. Trovinger died Jan. 6, 1881.  His widow is still living in Virginia, and is in her seventy-third year.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 365

JOSEPH SNIDER was born in Liberty township, Fairfield county, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1819, son of Rudolph and Mary C. (Bowman) Snider.  His parents were natives of Switzerland, and emigrated to America in 1814, first locating in Berne township, Fairfield county, where they remained until removing to Liberty township in 1817, settling on the place now owned by their son Emanuel.  They reared a family of eight children, five of whom are now living, all residents of Liberty township, and among its most substantial citizens.   Rudolph Snider was a successful farmer, and an active and consistent member of the Evangelical Association.  His death occurred Feb. 14, 1870.  Joseph, the subject of this sketch, after receiving such an education as the schools of the neighborhood afforded, remained on the home place until he obtained his majority, following which for some five years he conducted a farm owned by his father.  In 1850 Mr. Snider settled on the farm where he still resides.  He is the owner of two hundred and eighteen acres of fine land, with tasteful and fine surroundings.  He was married in 1845 to Anna, daughter of John Rauch.  Their union was blessed with one daughter, Sarah Catharine, now Mrs. Frederick Hulshy.  Mr. Snider and family are members of the Evangelical Association.  He is a genial and pleasant gentleman, and one of the substantial farmers and stock raisers of Fairfield county.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 365

NOAH SNIDER was born in Liberty township, this county, and is the only son of Jacob and Phebe Snider.  He attended the public schools in Liberty township, receiving an ordinary education.  He followed farming at home until his marriage to Miss Mary Fritznis, in 1865.  Mr. and Mrs. Snider are the parents of six children, five daughters and one son.  After marriage Mr. Snider purchased a farm of ninety-six acres, which he cultivated in connection with his father's farm.  In 1881 he purchased the Empress Flouring Mill, in Baltimore and is now doing a large business.  Mr. and Mrs. Snider and family are members of the Evangelical Church.  Mr. Snider is a member of the Masonic order, and also an Odd Fellow and a member of the Knights of Pythias.  His father, Jacob, was an early settler in this county.  He was born in Germany, and came with his father to America in 1818.  They located in Pleasant township, where his father remained live years.  They then removed to Liberty township, where Jacob Snider still resides.  He is still farming, and is one of the best citizens in the township.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 364

SNIDER, SAMUEL, farmer, Liberty township.  He was born in this township Feb. 6, 1824; son of Randolph and Mary Ann (Bowman) Snider.  Samuel received a good education, and turned his attention to farming.  He remained at home until twenty-four years of age.  He married Miss Mary Soliday in 1848.  She was born in Liberty township in 1827.  After marriage Mr. Snider settled on the farm where he still lives.  It contains four hundred and thirty acres.  Here he built a fine residence.  At the completion of the Ohio Central Railroad through his premises, he erected an extensive ware house, with capacity of fifteen thousand bushels of grain.  He is now extensively engaged in buying and shipping grain to various places in the country.  Mr. Snider also deals extensively in coal.  Mr. and Mrs. Snider are the parents of eleven children, nine now living.  D. P. has charge of the home farm; Elizabeth A. was the wife of David Eversole; she died in 1879; Sarah, the wife of John Stranger; John H. and Charles F. Clark and Mary Alice are still at home.  The family are members of the Evangelical Association.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 365

JOHN SNYDER, farmer, Walnut township.  He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, May 3, 1819; the only son of George and Ann M. (Plecker) Snyder..  George Snyder was a native of Maryland, and was born in 1791.  He came to Ohio, in 1828, with his wife and five children, and settled in Walnut township on the place now owned by John Snyder.  A house had been built before he bought the place.  He reared a family of eight children to maturity, of whom three sons and three daughters are living.  He was a member of the Reform church many years.  He died in 1863; his widow in February, 1880, in her seventy-eighth year.  John Snyder was brought up on the farm, and inured to labor.  He has been twice married; first, in 1845, to Abigail, daughter of Calvin Hite.  To them were born three children, viz.: Lewis B., a resident of Walnut township; John R., janitor of the Court House in Lancaster, and George L., a resident of Walnut township.  Mrs. Snyder died in 1851, and in 1853 Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of Joseph Harris, a well known resident of Walnut township.  She was born in this township, July 2, 1828.  They are the parents of six children, four of whom are living, viz.:  William M., a carpenter at Hadley Junction; Dillen H., also a carpenter at Basil, and Almeda and Edward D. at home.  Mr. Snyder, after his first marriage, lived near his father until 1872, having purchased the interests of the other heirs.  He built his present home in 1871, and in addition to his farming, ran a thresher about fifteen years.  He has been township trustee a number of years, and has held other important trusts.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 366

MILTON SPERRY, farmer, Walnut township.  He was born in this township Sept. 1, 1841, and is a son of Peter and Juliet (Taylor) Sperry.  He was educated in the common schools of this day and Union Academy, and was brought up a farmer, which vocation he yet follows.  Arriving at the age he began teaching and was also connected with the educational works of D. Appleton & Co., introducing their school books about two years.  He continued to teach until 1872, after which date he was concerned in several mercantile transactions.  Nov. 18, 1868, he was married to Mary Ida, daughter of William Walters, a former resident of Reading township, Perry county.  Mrs. Sperry was born in Muskingum county, May 10, 1849.  After his marriage Mr. Sperry was engaged as principal of various schools, and was also in the dry goods trade one year.  He removed to New Salem where he remained till the spring of 1880, engaged teaching there and in the vicinity, excepting in 1878, when he was in Colorado recruiting his health.  He taught there till October, 1879, when he returned to Ohio and followed teaching again.  In 1880 he engaged with a Buffalo firm as salesman of their school furniture, in which he had good success, and which he still follows.  In the spring of 1882 he removed to his father's place, of one hundred and thirteen acres, which he also conducts.  Mr. and Mrs. Sperry are the parents of one son, Peter Pharos, born Jun. 4, 1876.  Mr. Sperry was enumerator for the census of 1880, in Walnut township.  The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Mr. Sperry is also a member of the Masonic Order.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 368

W. A. SPERRY, farmer, Walnut township.  He was born Oct. 16, 1843, in this township, son of Peter and Juliet (Taylor) Sperry.  Peter Sperry came to Frederick county, Virginia, in 1803.  In 1831 he came with his wife to Ohio, and settled in  Walnut township, on a place still owned by the family.  The place was partially improved; the house that was on the place then is still occupied.  He purchased one hundred and thirteen acres.  He raised a family of six children, of whom three sons and two daughters are living.  His son Samuel was a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth O. V. I., and was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864.  He died in the hospital at Washington, May 27, 1864.  Peter Sperry was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He died Mar. 7, 1882; his wife in 1848.  W. A., was educated and taught school; this he engaged in until 1882.  He was married June 26, 1873, to Miss Jennie, daughter of William Watson, a well-known resident of Walnut township; she was born in that township.  They are the parents of one son and one daughter; Willie E., and Bertie V.  In 1873 he purchased a portion of his father's place, and built his present residence.  He devotes his time to farming and stock raising.  He owns one hundred and seven acres of land.  They are members of Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of the Masonic Order.
Source:  History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Publ. Chicago - W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 368