Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Jacob Sheffer
Jacob Sheffer is a son of Daniel Sheffer, and grandson of Daniel Sheffer, Sr. The latter was of German descent, but a native of Pennsylvania. In later life he removed to Wythe County, Va., and in 1812 came to Wayne County, Ind., and bought a quarter-section in Boston Township, and also entered a small farm just over the line in Ohio. He married Anna Hudlow, of Virginia. She died in 1832 and he in 1831. They had a family of ten children — Andrew, Jacob, Daniel, Michael, John, Sarah, Catherine, Elizabeth, Anna and Margaret. Sarah is the only one living, and resides in Whitley County, Ind. Daniel was born in Wythe County, Va., and in 1811 married Catharine Keesling, a native ot Virginia, of German descent. They came to Wayne County that same year, and he soon after took part in the Indian war. He entered a small farm in Ohio, but lived on a part of his father's farm in Boston Township, a part of which he subsequently inherited. He buried his wife a short time previous to the late war, and he died soon after. They had a family of eight children — Martin, deceased; Jacob; Ann, wife of Clark Gray, of Wabash County, Ind.; George, deceased; Mary, now Mrs. Eli Wilson, of Wabash County, Ind.; Sarah, wife of James Feasel, of Boston Township; Aima, wife of Leroy McWhinney, of Adair County, Iowa; John, residing on the old homestead in Boston Township.
Our subject was born in Wayne County, Ind., April 22, 1814. He was reared a farmer, and assisted his father in clearing his farm. In 1877 he moved to Richmond, and now has a handsome residence at 110 North Seventh street. He bought his first land in 1843, and added to it till he owned nearly 1,000 acres. He now has but 412 acres, having given the rest to his children. Politically he is a Republican. He has never been an aspirant for office, but has served his township as Trustee.
He was married when twenty-three years of age to Mary Stanley. They have had a family of seven, children — John M., Catharine (wife of Joseph Bosworth), James M., Daniel W., Clayton, Cynthia (wife of John W. Miller), and Mary, wife of Charles Wolfer, all save one living in Boston Township. Mrs. Sheffer was born in Union County, Ind., in 1817. a daughter of Zachariah and Mary (Bedwell) Stanley, natives of North Carolina. They removed to Union County, Ind., where Mrs. Stanley died in 1851, and Mr. Stanley in 1852. They had a family of thirteen children. Six daughters and three sons are living, two in Wayne County — Mrs. Sheffer and Sarah, widow of John Bennett.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2