Biographical & Portrait of Cambria County (1896), pages 93 and 94
Henry R. Shaffer, an old and higly respected citizen of Conemaugh township, who has served as a justice of the peace for a quarter of a century, is a son of John P. and Maria (Lehman) Shaffer, and was born in Richland township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1828. His paternal great-grandfather, George Shaffer, was a native of Germany, who came to this country prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he served as a soldier in the American army. He settled in the Kishacoquillas valley, in the eastern part of the State, where he lived until his death. His son, Henry Shaffer, emigrated from the valley to Richland township, where he followed farming as an occupation. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and his son, John P., who lived for some time in Richland township, was born on the old valley homestead in eastern Pennsylvania, July 19, 1804, and in 1848 removed to Conemaugh township, where he died November 30, 1875.
John P. Shaffer did not enjoy very good educational privileges, as his father died when he was but fourteen years of age, and he was then busied with many cares. He was a farmer and a democrat, and held membership in the Reformed church for many years. He married Maria Lehman, whose father, Christian Lehman, was a resident of Richland township. Mrs Shaffer died February, 1861, aged fifty-six years. Their family consisted of five sons and four daughters.
Henry R. Shaffer spent his boyhood days on the farm, received a good English education in the schools of his day, and commenced life for himself as a repair hand on the old Portage railroad. He afterwards taught four terms of school, and then learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for ten years. At the end of that time, in 1861, physical disabililty caused him to abandon his trade, and also prevented him from entering the Union army. Not desiring to be idle, he took timber contracts for the Cambria Iron Company, and was thus engaged until 1866, when he removed to his present farm in Conemaugh township, which he tilled up to 1894. Since that year, Mr. Shaffer has been engaged in introducing improved and modern farming implements into the county. His farm, which is five miles from Johnstown, contains one hundred and fourty-three acres of good land, one-half of which is cleared and improved. In matters of national import and issue, Mr. Shaffer has always suppported the Democratic party, but in local affairs is independent, supporting men instead of parties. He has been honored with all of his township offices, served as county auditor in 1867, 1868, and 1869, and has been justice of the peace for twenty-five years, serving continuously from 1869 to 1896, except two years. 'Squire Shaffer is a member and trustee of Mt Carmel United Brethren church, and ranks as one of the oldest and most representative citizens of his section of the county.
On May 7, 1857, 'Squire Shaffer married Elizabeth Strayer, a daughter of Jacob P. Strayer, of Yoder Township. To 'Squire and Mrs Shaffer have been born eight children: Anna Matilda, wife of William Giffin, a farmer of Adams township; Charles, who died young; George W., who died April 11, 1894, aged thirty-two years; William B. F.; Mary E., wife of Edward H. Boytes, of near Somerset, Somerset County; Ellen, who married A. C. Rively, of Richland township; Effie Etta, wife of Harry Gilman, a farmer; and Robert H., who is at home with his parents. One died in infancy. The Shaffer family is one among the old families of the western part of the State, while its members have always been known as respectable and reliable people.

obtained by Dennis Betts from the Cambria Co Historical Society, Ebensburg, PA, in Oct. 1994 Obit in the Weekly Tribune Friday 11-1-1907 Column 3 Page 6

reel M653_1088 sheet 375 page 423 house 2772 family 2807
Scalp Level P.O.
SHAFFER, Henry 25 m Pa, farm laborer, $200 of property
Eliza 20 f Pa, illiterate
Matilda 5/12 f Pa

Johnstown Tribune, Oct.. 30, 1907
Henry R. Shaffer, a prominent farmer of Conemaugh Township, this county, died suddenly at his home about five miles from Johnstown, between 10 and 11 o'clock, THesday night, in his seventy ninth year. Mr. Shaffer's health began to fail last may, but he was able to be about until a week ago. His condition changed for the worst, after 10 o'clock Tuesday night and he expired before a physician could be summoned. THe cause of his death was a complication of diseases. Henry Shaffer was born in RIchland Township this county, on Dec 11, 1828, being a son of John and Maria (Lehman) Shaffer, deceased. He was a brother of Mrs Joseph Masters of Feeder Street, this city, and David and Jacob Shaffer, both of Conemaugh Township. The deceased was a carpenter by trade having served an apprenticeship during his boyhood days. After working at his trade for eight or nine years, he engaged in farming and for forty one years had resided on his farm in Conemaugh Township, where he owned some of the best cultivated land in this vicinity. On May 7, 1857, Henry R. Shaffer and Miss Elizabeth Strayer were united in marriage at the home of the latter's parents, Mr. & Mrs Jacob P. Strayer, wo lived in what was then Conemaugh Township, but is now a part of Lower Yoder. THe ceremony was performed by the Reverend Mr Swope, at that time Pastor of the Lutheran Church. Mr & Mrs. Shaffer pleasantly celebrated their golden wedding anniversity at the Shaffer home last summer. Mr. Shaffer was a lifelong Democrat and filled a number of offices in the township in which he lived. He had been Justice of the Peace of Conemaugh Township for the past twenty five years, was assessor for a number of terms, and was also at times, school director and township auditor. He served once as County Auditor. In religion he was a United Brethren, being at the time of his death one of the officilas of the Mt Carmel Church in Conemaugh Township. HE was one of the oldest members of Conona Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Conemaugh. Beside his wife, sister and brothers, Mr. Shaffer is survive by four daughters, two sons, twelve grand children and ten great grand children. The sons and daughters are Annie, wife of William Givven, of Adams Township;; Mollie, wife of Edward Boyts, of Somerset; Ella, wife of A.C. Rively of RIchland Township; and Frank and Harry Shaffer, at home. The funeral will take place at 10:30 o'clock tomorrow forenoon from the Mt Carmel CHurch, where services will be conducted by other ministers of the U.B. denominations. The remains will be laid to rest in the church cemetery.

• Married: 7 May 1857
• Change Date: 19 Jan 2008

1. Anna Matilda "Annie" SHAFFER b: 1858 in Pennsylvania
2. Charles SHAFFER b: 1860
3. George W. SHAFFER b: 29 Dec 1861
4. William B.F. "Frank" SHAFFER b: 1863
5. Mary E. "Mollie" SHAFFER b: 1866
6. Nancy Ellen "Ella" SHAFFER b: 1868
7. Effie Etta SHAFFER b: 4 Dec 1870
8. Robert Harry SHAFFER b: 1876