"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"



The grand old state of Pennsylvania has sent out thousands of her sons in the founding and upbuilding of communities in the West. Many of these have served their adopted states long and well, and have left the imprint of their character upon the history of their times, carving their names and fame upon the very foundation stones of many of the great commonwealths.

Charles H. Shaner, of Storden, Cottonwood county, is a native of the old Keystone state, and while he has not been a leader in great affairs of business or state, has been a good citizen in his humble sphere.

Mr. Shaner was born in Rockland county, Pennsylvania, in 1860, and is a son of M. and Jane (Stewart) Shaner. It is very probable that these parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they at least spent most of their lives on a farm and died there. Mr. Shaner's family consisted of eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: John, David, Daniel, Emma, Charles H., Ella, Floyd and Ambrose.

Charles H. Shaner grew to manhood on the home farm in his native state and he received a good education in the public schools of Rockland county, after which he taught school awhile. In 1886 he came west to Wisconsin where he remained two years, then located in Windom, Minnesota, and was superintendent of the poor farm of Cottonwood county for about two years. While in Wisconsin he worked on farms during the summer months and taught school in the winter time. In 1892 he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Storden township, improved it and lived on it until the village of Storden was started, when he turned from agricultural pursuits to general merchandising, opening the first store in the new town, which he conducted with pronounced success until 1912, when he sold out and purchased the local hotel which he conducted about one year, then sold it and bought the building which he now occupies, and since 1914 he has conducted a cream station here, buying and shipping large quantities regularly.

Mr, Shaner was married in 1887, to Jessie I. Stewart, daughter of John and Floella (Mclntosh) Stewart. To this union seven children have been born, named as follow: Clyde, Claude W., Percy, Erma, Cecil (a daughter), Earl, Devire.

Politically, Mr. Shaner is a Republican, He is a member of the Lutheran church. He is a member of the Modem Woodmen of America. He has for some time been active in local politics.