William T. Shafer

William T. Shafer
Shafer in an 1881 publication
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the Chester County district
In office
1859–1861
Serving with Isaac Acker and Caleb Pierce
Preceded byJohn Hodgson, Eber W. Sharpe, Morton Garrett
Succeeded byPersifor Frazer Smith, William Windle, Robert L. McClellan
Personal details
Born
William Thompson Shafer

(1825-02-17)February 17, 1825
DiedApril 3, 1882(1882-04-03) (aged 57)
West Pikeland Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeOaklands Cemetery
West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Mary E. Evans
​
(m. 1865)​
Children1
Occupation
  • Politician
  • merchant
  • educator
Signature

William Thompson Shafer (February 17, 1825 – April 3, 1882) was an American politician from Pennsylvania. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County from 1859 to 1861.

Early life

William Thompson Shafer was born on February 17, 1825, to Martha (née Neilor) and John Shafer.[1][2] He learned the carpenter's trade. He went to school under Joseph C. Strode.[2]

Career

Shafer worked as a teacher for several years.[2] He worked in the mercantile business of Shafer's stand. He supporting his father as a clerk and, in 1849, he took over the store from his father.[2]

Shafer was aide-de-camp for Governor James Pollock. In that role, he attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.[1][2] He was a Republican and served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County from 1859 to 1861.[1][3] He served as school director and as auditor of West Pikeland Township.[1]

Personal life

Shafer married Mary E. Evans, daughter of Abel Evans, in 1865. They had one child, Martha.[2]

Shafer died on April 3, 1882, in West Pikeland Township. He was interred at Oaklands Cemetery in West Chester.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "William T. Shafer". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Futhey, J. Smith; Cope, Gilbert (1881). History of Chester County, Pennsylvania with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches. Louis H. Everts. pp. 720–721. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Archive.org.Open access icon
  3. ^ Thomson, W. W., ed. (1898). Chester County and Its People. The Union History Company. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Archive.org.Open access icon