Contra Costa County Biography

GEORGE H. SHAFER

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
George H. Shafer is one of the representative business men of eastern Contra 
Costa County. He was born in Rio Vista, California, February 26, 1866. His 
parents were William and Elizabeth (Pierce) Shafer. His father was a native of 
Bedford County, Pennsylvania, who came west via Cape Horn about 1855. Mr. 
Shafer's mother crossed the plains in 1852 with her parents. In the parents' 
family there were five children, all living  - Adrian H., a rancher, residing in 
Brentwood; Mabel, wife of George Geddes, of Byron; Winifred, wife of M. Preston, 
of Byron; Hannah, and the subject of this sketch. Mr. Shafer's father died on 
April 10, 1915. He was one of the early river men on the Sacramento. He later 
became identified with the stock business and ranched on a large scale, owning 
five hundred and eighty acres. He was one of the agriculturalists of this county 
who brought about personal success by application and industry, giving thought, 
time, and attention to the cultivation of his land. Mr. Shafer was active in 
politics, but never aspired to public office. He was on many occasions a 
delegate to the county conventions. He was a great temperance worker, and did 
much to further the cause. George H. Shafer acquired his education in the Eden 
Plain School District, near Brentwood. He attended the Stockton Normal and 
Business College. Finishing his education he returned to Brentwood and engaged 
in the livery business. He was elected constable in 1888, and held this office 
to the satisfaction of the people continuously, with the exception of four 
years, when he did not run for the office, owing to other matters that occupied 
his time. He was appointed by W. C. Rogers in 1888 as deputy sheriff. He gives 
his political support to the Republican party. In 1905 Mr. Shafer engaged in the 
undertaking business and served as deputy coroner under Doctor C. L. Abbott, of 
Richmond. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Brentwood, the 
Foresters, the Odd Fellows of Byron, and the I. D. E. S. of Oakley. Mr. Shafer 
was united in marriage to Martha C. Bainbridge, of Stockton, August 20, 1888. 
She was a daughter of Doctor J. A. Bainbridge, whose death occurred in 1914. Mr. 
and Mrs. Shafer have one son, Earl B., born May 19, 1890, who is now in the 
employ of the People's Water Company as surveyor. Mrs. Shafer is an active 
member of the Eastern Star and also holds membership in Companion Court Sister 
Lodge of Foresters. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have gained an extensive circle of 
friends and acquaintances in eastern Contra Costa County.
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California", Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
pp. 536-537.