SHAFER/SHAVER Families

Jacob Shafer's log home, circa 1888
Lincoln County pioneer Jacob Shafer built this log home on the Saline River about eight miles southeast of Lincoln. The lower portion of the large wing of the house is of logs, covered in later years with siding. It originally had a dirt roof and floor and holes between the logs to fire at Indians. From left to right in the photo are Charles (b. 9.12.1879), Orrin (b. 6.21.1870), Albert (b. 4.11.1881), Jacob (b. 2.12.1844), Ruth (b. 4.16.1884), Minerva Adaline, Jacob's wife (b. 1849), Estella (b. 6.7.1873) and Maude (b. 9.7.1875). Other children of Jacob and Minerva not in the photo: William Theodore (b. 1.4.1867) and Ada (9.21.1887). Photo courtesy of Shafer/Shaver descendant Scott Brockelman.

David Shaver's first home, 1882
David Shaver, another Lincoln County pioneer, was a brother of Jacob Shafer. This photo was taken on his farm eight miles southeast of Lincoln during wheat-threshing season in 1882. From left to right: (Grandma) Elizabeth Shaver, Lillian Shaver, Clara (Shaver) Doolittle, Carl W. Shaver, Retta Shaver (David's wife), David Shaver and Ray Shaver. David Shaver never forgot his first home in Lincoln County; he had a sketch of it carved onto his tombstone. Photo courtesy of Shafer/Shaver descendant Scott Brockelman. 

David Shaver's Monument

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Lincoln County News, Sept. 27, 1934

Dave Shaver, one of the earliest settlers in the Bashan neighborhood, and also one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil War, was in Lincoln last week from Salina, where he now makes his home. His visit here at this time was for the purpose of overseeing the erection of a novel monument on his lots in the Lincoln Cemetery. Inscribed on the monument is a reproduction of the original log house built by Mr. Shaver when he first settled on his homestead in 1871, and the inscription also carries this information. Mr. Shaver, who is now in his 88th year, still owns the farm upon which he homesteaded, but the old loghouse was torn down many years ago and a fine new residence built in its place. Many of the older residents of the Bashan community remember the old log house and many of them have visited the local cemetery to see how closely the reproduction resembles the original log house as they remember it. Preston Shaver, a son of Dave Shaver, now lives on the old Shaver homestead.

To see photos of the tombstone, click here and here.

Five Generations of Shaver Women Mark Birthday

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Lincoln Republican, 20 April 1905
(A photograph accompanied this article but the transcriber was unable to get a good copy of it.)

The 84th birthday anniversary of Mrs. Elizabeth Shaver, who is the central figure of this group, was celebrated in this city on April 4 at the home of Mrs. M.A. Allison, who is the eldest daughter of Mrs. Shaver and with whom the venerable old lady has been making her home for a few years. A large number of her children and grandchildren were present with well-filled baskets to participate in the very pleasant occasion.

Mrs. Shaver has been a resident of Lincoln county for more than 30 years, and of her nine living children, six of them are residents of the county. She has 41 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Three of her sons were in the Civil War, two grandsons in the Spanish war and one great-grandson in the civil service in the Philippines.

The accompanying cut herewith represents Grandma Shaver as the mother of a family of five generations. The picture was taken at the anniversary celebration and includes Mrs. M.A. Allison, Mrs. Wm. Stewart of Ellsworth county, Mrs. Byrl Rigney and little daughter, all being the eldest child in the direct line of descent from Grandma Shaver.

The old lady has possessed an excellent memory for the stirring events of a long lifetime and talks most interestingly thereof. Until within the last two weeks she has been in excellent health and has been doing much fancy work. The members of the family present presented to her on this anniversary day a beautiful cane rocker and footstool.

Since the foregoing was prepared, we learn that Grandma Shaver is dangerously ill. [Mrs. Shaver died on 24 April 1905.]

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