Among the veteran pioneers of Center Township who still survive, we find the subject above named. He is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany; was born there February 25,1800. His parents, too, were both natives of Wurtemburg. His father, John A.Shafer, was born January 15, 1775, and his mother, Sabina Lieben (before marriage), was born�December 2, 1772. By their union, George was the oldest of eight children�three sons and five daughters, viz.: George, Catherine, Adam, Rosanna, Christina, Barbara,Sabina and Jacob�all of whom grew to maturity, married, and became heads of families. With this large family, having but limited means, Mr. John A. Shafer finally thought best to emigrate to the New World. And, thus thinking, on the19th of September, 1819, they left their native country, went to Amsterdam, and there took passage on ship-board for Baltimore, Md., where they arrived February 25, l820�the twentieth birthday of the�subject of our sketch. Promptly there after, they proceeded to Ohio�first, by wagon to Brownsville, Penn., on the Monongahela River, and from they�re by flatboat to Portsmouth, Ohio. Here his father, John A. Shafer, at first rented land near Portsmouth and began farming. However,after a brief period, he purchased 100 acres in the same vicinity, and commenced clearing and cultivating his own. Thus, in the acquisition of property, they prospered, yet sorrow and sadness awaited their household. Mrs. Shafer, the mother, died in the fall of 1822, only a little more than two years after their arrival.�� Ten years subsequently, Father Shafer removed to Hamilton County, Indiana, where, until his death, July 8, 1870, he continued to live.

In the spring of l832�the same his father removed to Hamilton County�George, the subject of whom we write, came to Delaware County.� After entering 160 acres, about one and a half mile to the west of the then village at Muncietown, and after engaging some neighbors to build for him a cabin, here turned to Ohio for his family. Early in the fall of that year found them all comfortably settled at their new Indiana home.�And upon this land he still resides, proud of holding his title by a deed from the hand of President Jackson, for whom he cast his first ballot. Prior to his removal to this county, on September 27, 1827, he wedded Miss Martha Wilcoxon, of Scioto County, Ohio, and by this union, on September 19,1828, their little daughter, Margaret, was born. Subsequent to their arrival, four other children came to bless their pioneer home, viz.: Sabina Lieben, born October 19, 1834; Levin W., born August 8, 1887; John Willard, born July 27,1842; and lastly, Louisa Ann, born May 27, 1845. But sorrow and sadness awaited another prosperous, happy fireside.

Baby�Louisa Ann�died September 3, 1846, and, August 18,1848, followed Martha, the fond wife and mother.

Again, a second time, Mr. Shafer gave his hand in marriage, on May 11, 1851. Catherine Bradrick this time became his companion and help meet. She was born July 14 1808. She proved a genial, faithful wife while she lived; but she too, was called from the shores of Time.� She died October 11, 1879.

Mr. Shafer has been a man of industry and severe toil, caring well for his family, being a man of hardy constitution and temperate habits, and of cheerful disposition, hardships have not bore him down, and we now find him in his eighty second year full of vigor for his years. To schools and the general advancement of education, he has ever been a friend. To public enterprises having an advancement tendency, he has given a cheerful support; is a man of peace and good will to all; never in his life participated in a case of litigation, either as plaintiff or defendant.� His religious ideas were early trained in the Lutheran faith.� But, later in life, his belief being modified he united with the Wesleyan Methodists in 1849, since which time he has adhered to the doctrines of that denomination.� In politics, though never a politician, he has given his preference on the side of Democracy. Three children survive, viz.: Margaret, now the wife of Hiram W. Weir, a farmer of Mount Pleasant Township, Levin W. now married, and a successful attorney at Greenfield, Dade County Mo, and John W, who married Miss Mary E. Howell, and resides with his father at the old homestead.� Sons, Levin W. and John W. volunteered and served in the late war for the Union. (Page 233)

DAVID H H SHEWMAKER

Was born November 16 1840 in Harrison County, Indiana. His father Tandy Shewmaker was a native of Kentucky, and his mother a Native of Virginia. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and belonged to the famous cavalry of Col. Dick Johnson, taking part in the battle of the Thames, in which the noted Indiana Chief was killed. In 1820, he came to Indiana and settled in the wilderness of Harrison County, where he cleared and improved a farm. There he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1872, when he died at the advanced age of ninety-four. The subject of this biography worked on the farm with his father until the outbreak of the rebellion, when he abandoned the peaceful scenes of his rural home to follow the uncertain fortunes of war, and was enrolled as a member of the Third Indian Cavalry, a part of the Army of the Potomac. He was mustered into service with his regiment June 22, 1801, and took part in the battles of the south Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. During the Gettysburg campaign he received a severe gunshot wound, from which he has never recovered. He did not permit this injury to interfere with his service to the Union, however, and followed Gen. Grant in his victorious campaign against Petersburg and Richmond taking part in all the general engagements, besides numerous skirmishes. His regiment which was a part of Gen. Phil Sheridan's famous Calvary was commanded by Col. George H. Chapman, of Indianapolis, who was afterward elevated to the rank of Brigadier General. (Page 232-3)

HON. OLIVER H. SMITH

Although this gentleman was a resident of Delaware County the fact that he was in early times a large land owner within its limits and that in later years he did much for its improvements and advancement, renders a brief tribute to his memory not inappropriate in these pages.

He came from Pennsylvania to Rising Sun, Ind, in 1817. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1820, entering upon the practice at Versailles, Ripley County, Indiana. He moved to Connersville, Ind, in 1820, and several years subsequently, to Indianapolis. He was appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the Third Judicial District, which extended from the Ohio River to Michigan Territory, and traveled that entire vast region on horseback. In 1822, he was chosen to represent Fayette County on the State Legislature, and four years later (1826) was elected to the Congress of the United States, his district embracing one third of the State, and he going from county to county throughout that wide region riding through swamps swimming rivers on horseback camping out at night and enduring hardships that would have proven fatal to a less hearty man. He declined a reelection and resumed his legal practice.

In 1836, he was elected United States Senator from Indiana and took high rank in that body as an able influential member. In 1842, he was again a candidate, but the tide of politics had turned and he was defeated, but only by a single vote. He very willingly returned to the practice of his profession and never again tried the treacherous paths of politics.

He bought thousands of acres of land in various portions of Delaware County, locating his purchase by lands warrants and selling the larger portion to settlers as they came to the county. He retained lands near Yorktown, and was the founder of that village. Yorktown was a good trading point in early days, and gave fine promise, but fate was against her and her trade was diverted to other points. (Page 232)

HON. MARCUS C. SMITH,

son of Hon. Oliver H. Smith, was born April 11, 1825, at Connersville, Ind. His father, who biography precedes his own in this history, was one of the pioneers of Indiana, and was long distinguished as an advocate, a politician, a statesman, and an orator of a very high order.

In 1852, the subject of this sketch was united in marrige to Miss Mary C., daughter of James L. Russey (formerly of Muncie). The are the parents of four children, all of whom are now living, and two are married. Oliver H. is a postal clerk between Cincinnati and Chicago, and Mary Caroline is the wife of Mr. Boaz, an attorney in the city of Indianapolis.

In 1839, when Mr. Smith was fourteen years of age, he was taken by his father to Alexandria. D. C. (as it then was), to attend a school somewhat famous at that time, under the charge of Benjamin Hallowell, a distinguished mathematician and astronomer of that day. Remaining there two years, he entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., and, after three years spent at that institution, he engaged in the study of law in his father�s office. He was licensed, according to the legal custom, in 1840, and began to practice; but, his health failing, he entered into active business, practicing law only on special occasion.

In 1847, he removed to Yorktown and assumed the management of his father�s property there, consisting of two grist-mills, a saw-mill, carding and fulling mill, besides a large amount of landed estate.

Soon after this date (1851 and 1852), the Bee Line Railroad was built from Bellefontaine, Ohio, to Indianapolis, largely by his father�s influence and aid, and large quantities of timber for sleepers, ties and bridges were furnished from the land and the saw-mill of the latter under the direction of his son. They also had a store at Yorktown and, in addition to the other business stock-buying was largely carried on.

Mr. Smith removed to Muncie in 1859, and has resided there ever since. His business during this time has been varied and somewhat extensive�chiefly stock-dealing, buying grain and seeds, attending to his farming interests, etc., handling, some years, from 8,000 to 10,000 bushels of flax-seed, raised in Delaware County. He has owned 300 acres of land in this county, but at present has but about 200 acres.

He has, from time to time, been chosen to fill important public postions. In 1854, he was elected as the Representative of Delaware County in the Indiana Legislature; from 1869 to 1877, he served as Mayor of the city of Muncie; and, in 1878, was elected State Senate for the counties of Delaware and Madison, his term expiring in 1882. Like his honored father, he was in former times a Whig, and, since the rise of the Republican party, has been an active and ardent supporter of the principles and measures of that organization.

He has been for many years, and still is, a prominent and valuable member of society, enjoying the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens in a high degree. Although he and his worthy companion are not church members, they yet respect and uphold the religious interests of society, and are liberal and sympathetic, and active in lending a ready hand in aid of the unfortunate or distressed.

In the fall of 1879, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Theo Riley conceived the idea of establishing a school for children who would not attend the other schools of the city�especially for the destitute and the neglected. In carrying out this intention, they planned for a Christmas tree at the residence of Mrs. Smith, expecting to invite a few destitute children to enjoy the treat. The design became known, and contributions were sent in by sympathizing friends so largely that a more general invitation was extended, and, on Christmas Eve, 175 poor children and youth assembled to witness, with intense delight, the spectacle, to them so novel and so unexpected, and to enjoy, with deep satisfaction, the rich tree prepared for them by friendly hands; and the generous hearts of the donors of the entertainment were amply rewarded in beholding the abundant happiness which the execution of their plan had bestowed upon the recipients of their bounty. (Page 232)