Sumner County Biographies
"Portrait and Biographical Album of Sumner County"
Chapman Bros., Chicago, 1890
CHARLES HENRY SHAFFER. The reliable German element of this county has
played no unimportant part in its growth and
prosperity. The sons of the fatherland have penetrated to every corner of Kansas, as well as other
parts of the Great West, and are almost uniformly
good citizens, well-to do, self-supporting, and useful members of the community. Among the foremost farmery of Ryan Township may be mentioned
Mr. Shaffer, who, like the most of his neighbors,
commenced at the foot of the ladder, and now occupies a leading position in the agricultural districts.
A native of what was then the Kingdom of Westphalia, the subject of this notice
was born December 13, 1849, and was the fifth in a family of six
children, the offspring of George and Elizabeth
(Lenze) Shaffer, who were also natives of Westphalia, where they lived after their marriage until
1849. That year the father emigrated to America,
and settled on a farm in Reading County, Pa.,
whither his wife also came in 1850. There they
spent the remainder of their lives, the father departing hence in 1862, and the mother in 1870.
Five of their children are now living, one in South
America and one in Germany, and the other three
in the United States.
Mr. Shaffer was but a year old when brought to
America, and his parents esteeming the school
privileges of their native land superior to those of
America, sent him back there when he was six
years old, and he was thoroughly educated in the
German tongue, remaining there six years. When
leaving school he returned to this country, and at
Philadelphia, being determined to go as a sailor,
shipped on a merchant vessel as cabin boy for three
years. At the expiration of this time he went as a
regular sailor, and was on the lakes for two years.
Then settling down on terra firma he engaged in
the mercantile business in Ohio. In 1868 he set
out for the West, and located in Black Hawk
County, Iowa, of which he was a resident for three
years, removing thence to Sioux County, where
he lived six years.
In the meantime Mr. Shaffer spent two years in
Montana, in the interests of the American Fur
Company. In 1877 we find him at Joplin, Mo.,
where he worked in the lead mines nearly one year.
He first struck the soil of Kansas in January, 1878
taking possession of the land which constitutes his
present farm. It was then an uncultivated tract,
upon which no improvements whatever had been
attempted. By great perseverance and industry,
while at the same time experiencing all the hardships and difficulties of life in a new country, Mr.
Shaffer succeeded in opening up a good farm, and
added to his landed possessions until he is now the
owner of two hundred and forty acres, thoroughly
improved and valuable. He put up, in 1883, as
fine a residence as the traveler will find in all Ryan
Township. In addition to raising the crops common to this region, he has been quite successful as
a breeder of horses, cattle and swine. When coming to this place he was empty-handed,
having by
a series of misfortunes lost all that he had earned
hitherto. Looking upon his surroundings to day
it must be admitted that he has labored to excellent advantage, and he forms a fine illustration of
the results of unflagging industry and perseverance.
Mr. Shaffer was married, February 9, 1887, to
Miss Carrie L., daughter of Leonard P. and Charlotte (Hines) Sayrs.
The parents of Mrs. Shaffer
were natives of New York State, whence they emigrated to Wisconsin in 1846, and from there came
to Kansas thirty years later, settling first in Miami
County. In 1883 they came to this county, and
are now living in Argonia. There were born to
them thirteen children, of whom Mrs. Shaffer was
next to the youngest. Her birth occurred July 10,
1870, in Wisconsin. She applied herself to her
books during her school days, and is an intelligent
pleasant lady, respected by all who know her. Mr.
and Mrs. Shaffer are the parents of two children, a
son and daughter � George Leonard and Catharina.
Mr. Shaffer, during important elections, supports
the Democratic party, but at home casts his vote
for the man whom he considers will best serve local
interests. He has been five years on the School
Board of his district, and officiated as Trustee of
Ryan Township for two terms. The Anti-Horse-Thief Association claims him as one of its most
efficient members.
An additional feature of interest is a lithographic
view, on another page of this volume, of Mr. Shaffer's pleasant home and surroundings.
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