BackGround: Palmyra Temple, Palmyra, New York.
First Generation
Up Dated 6 February 2008
Samuel George was born 17 Aug 1823; Cicero Twp., Onondaga, New York. He married 14 May 1848 at Albion, Oswego, New York, Lavina (Lovina) SNYDER the daughter of Henry P SNYDER. She was born October 1823 in , , New York.
"It was on this farm that I was born with a twin brother who died when about nine months old. Then my father moved to Shanando and worked at his trade for a number of years...
NOTE: See George Sheffer History for first part of Reminiscenses.
But Father was a migratory individual and after three years he moved back to Cayuga Co. It was here that I grew from a boy of twelve to a young man and also where I went to the academy at Cayuga. I will relate a little incident that occurred the last day of the term now called commencement day. Our Perceptor was anxious to make a fine diplay of his scholars and decided to have a us play Julius Caesar. In the play I was Cassius trying to excite Brutus to kill Caesar. And I must say if I ever felt proud of my position it was when I repeated the first line "Honor is the subject of my story." My diffidence was all gone an I think I did Justice to the occasion. I was fourteen then in my fifteenth year. In the years that followed I worked in the vacinity then father met a man from Michigan who told him that michigan was bound to be one of the finest states in the Union. Then father sold his business and moved to Michigan in the Spring (about 1839). The next spring I went to Michigan. The fastest form of travel we had at that timewas by boat on the Erie Canal--a pocket boat-- a narrow long boat drawnby three horses tandem fashion probably six or seven miles an hour. I boarded the boat at Monteguma which was perhaps 175 miles from Buffalo. There were a number of passangers aboard. Among them was a young girl who was the handsomest woman I ever saw. She was taller than most women and well peoportioned. We met in the cabin. In the evening when we were all sitting on deck the Captain asked us to sing some songs as we were nearing a little village and we will let them know how happy we are. The next day we arrived in Buffalo. The young lady asked me if I was going further west. I told her I was going to Michigan. She said she was going to Detroit. I had already secured passage on the Lake Erie steamer lay there by the dock. I helped the young lady and her mother to get their tickets and trunks aboard. The steamer did not leave untill morning. The weather appeared fine when we left but in the nignt it was all we could do to keep on our feet and in our berths."
S. G. SHEFFER was given a good education, attending an academy in Cayuga county, New York, until reching the age of fifteen, as also mentioned above in his Reminiscenses. At age 15 he went to western New York where he worked on a farm which is now Cornell University Campus. Eight years later he moved to Michigan. Samuel was surprised at the large wheat fields -- 40, 50 or 100 acres in Michigan. At Adrian he met a young lady Lavina SNYDER, from New York, who had come to visit her sister Mrs POUCHER. They had a very pleasing acquaintance and the spring when she started for home at Albion, New York, he asked her if he might write to her. The next spring Samuel went to Albon, New York, and they were married their, 14 May 1848. (Since Lavina is listed living with her father in Albion, in the 1850 census and their first child Charles was born in New York he in all likelyhood was born in Albion. Mrs SHEFFER is a native of Columbia county, and came of German descent. They lived four years in Adrian, Lenawee, Michigan, then went west to "The Mouth" (now South Haven) in western Michigan in November of 1852.
Footnote from Agnes V. SHEFFER,s Reminiscenses:
Grandmother Lovina (SNYDER) SHEFFER was born in
1823 at or near Claverack, near Hudson, New York.
Directions to find Great Grandfather SNYDER's farm
Go to Hollowville from Claverack - Turn South and
go to Snydertown. James BASHFORD (FRANK) Farm bounded
on West H ANDERSON and HOLESOFT. On North by J MICHELS,
A. RUTTER. On East by road that leads from Catskill
Turnpike to BACHMAN's Place, and South Woodlot of J. GALL.
140 acres sold for $4100.
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His great grandfather received honerable mention for galentry in the Revolutionary War. A grand uncle was active in the War of 1812. Other relatives were in the Mexicn War.
In 1852, the original of our sketch came to Allegan County and in November of that year located on his present farm in Casco Township. Here he purchased 80 Acres from his brother Clark who had bought 160 acres from Mr FOWLER in the late 1840's. Here on this place in 1909 Samuel was living with his daughter Agnes V. and hoping to see his daughter from California next spring. Then his cup of happiness would be full.
The township was but thinly settled at the time of his locating here, and our subject has done valuable service in helping to lay our roads erect school house's and otherwise open up the country for those who wiuld follow. The mail was brought to the settlers twice a week, sometimes by a boy, but oftener by neighbors who happened to be passing the post office.
The first house of our subject was a board "shanty" 12 X 14 feet in dimensions, which served only to keep the sun out, forwhen it rained everything inside was "soaked." The cabin has given way to a comfortable home. Mr and Mrs SHEFFER have been granted four children: See Below
Mr. SHEFFER is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the Blue Lodge of South Haven; he has attained the Royal Arch Degree. He is also a Knight of the Red Cross, a Knight of Malta, and a Knight Templar, or Kalamazoo. In politics he is non-partisan, although he was sent as a delegate to the first National Republican Convention, in 1858. He also served in a like position to the first National Greenback Convention, at Toledo Ohio.
"Another year, and here we meet
To clasp the hand of friendship true;
And welcome to ourheartsour friends,
Our social friendship to renew.
We've met to-day to welcome those
Who sought the wilderness long ago
To grapple with those lofty trees
And havetheir lofth tops laid low.
And to live o'er those wondrous scenes
That crowd around our cabin door,
When howl of wolf at night was heard,
And red men slept on our cabin floor.
Our neighbors few and far between,
Yet always true in time of need,
And joyously we welcomed them
To our cabin by the mead.
And when the day of work was done
And we sat around the frugal board,
With pleasant sounds our memory stirred
When at the door our friends were heard.
And when strong arms and hearts of steel
Have conquered the forest their
And broad rich fields and barns well stored,
And homes are seen both rich and rare.
When we o'er the wild domain
That years ago was one wild wood,
That's planted now with tree and vine,
We enjoy just as we should.
Though storms arise, and troubles come,
With patience strong we stand the test,
Nor think of aught but pleasure good
That fills the home that we love best.
And old age creeps on apace,
Time's hoary hand is on us laid,
Yet smiling still our work persue
And cheerfully meet what change has made.
We like to cast a backword thought
To those rude days of early years,
And live again in memory dear,
Those days when we were pioneers."
S. G. SHEFFER died 3 Mar 1915; Casco Twp, Allegan, Michigan.
1860 Census Casco Tep., Allegan, Michigan, Page 167
Name Age Sex Race Occupation Value Value Born
Samuel G SHEFFER 36 M -=-- Farmer $ 2,000 $ 0,300 New York
Lovina " 36 F ---- ---------- -------- -------- New York
Charles W " 12 M ---- ---------- -------- -------- Michigan
Agnes " 9 F ---- ---------- -------- -------- Michigan
Sarah " 8 F ---- ---------- -------- -------- Michigan
Byron G " 5 M ---- ---------- -------- -------- Michigan
1870 Census Casco Twp., Allegan, Michigan, Page 26
R Estate Personal Where
Name Age Sex Race Occupation Value Value Born
SHEFFER Samuel 46 M W Farmer $ 10,000 $ 1,000 New York
" Lovina 46 F W Keeping House -------- -------- New York
" Charles 21 M W Farm Laborer -------- -------- Michigan
" Agnes 19 F W ------------- -------- -------- Michigan
" Sarah 17 F W ------------- -------- -------- Michigan
" Byron 15 M W ------------- -------- -------- Michigan
MALONEY Fred 6 M W ------------- -------- -------- Michigan
SHEFFER Polly 73 F W ------------- -------- -------- New York
1880 Census Casco Twp., Allegan, Michigan, Page 245B
Mar | Place of Birth |
Name Race Sex Relat Age Sta Occupation |Self Father Mother|
SHEFFER Samuel G W M ----- 55 M Farmer N. Y. N. Y. N. Y.
" Lovina W F Wife 55 M Keeping House N. Y. N. Y. N. Y.
" Agnes W F Dau 27 S School Teacher Mich. N. Y. N. Y.
MORRIS Willie W M Other 15 S Farmer Mich. Penn. N. Y.
" Steller W F Other 17 S At School N. Y. Penn. N. Y.
1900 Census Casco Twp., Allegan, Michigan, ED 4 Sheet 9B Line 66
Mont Year Mar Yrs | Place of Birth |
Name Relat Race Sex Born Born Age Sta Mar |Self Father Mother| Occupation
SHEFFER S G Head W M Aug 1823 76 M 52 N. Y. N. Y. Verm. Farmer
" Lavina M Wife W F Oct 1823 76 M 52 N. Y. N. Y. N. Y. -----------
" Agnes Dau W F Nov 1854 45 S --- Mich. N. Y. N. Y. -----------
SMITH Burt E Serv W M Jun 1877 23 S --- Canada France N. Y. Farm Laborer
Lavina Mother of 4 Children 4 Living
CHILDREN of Samuel George SHEFFER and Lavina SNYDER:
+ 11. 1. CHARLES W. b: 16 Jun 1849; Barre, Orleans, New York.
md: 24 Nov 1875; Alice Mary PORTER.
d: 17 Nov 1900; Manlius, Allegan, Michigan.
+ 12. 2. AGNES V. b: 1851; Adrian, Lenawee, Michigan.
d: 1935; , Allegan, Michigan.
+ 13. 3. SARAH JULIA b: 1852; Adrian, Lenawee, Michigan.
(SADIE) md: 8 Apr 1875; Ashel E. BRIGGS.
d: 23 Feb 1933; San Jose, Santa Clara, California.
+ 14. 4. BYRON GEORGE b: Feb 1857; Casco Twp., Allegan, Michigan.
md: 21 May 1879; Mattie LEWIS.
d: 1947; , Allegan, Michigan.
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