Champaign Co, ILGenWeb, The USGenWeb Project - Biography

George K. Sheffer

SOURCE: The Biographical Record of Champaign County, Illinois, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1900

SURNAMES: BENGE, DAVIS, EASTMAN, SHEFFER, WALKER

GEORGE K. SHEFFER, a well-known contractor and builder of Champaign, who, is now serving his second term as township clerk, was born in Williamsport, Warren county, Indiana, May 30, 1840, a son of Nicholas and Matilda (DAVIS) SHEFFER. The father was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, of old Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and in early life went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was married about 1822, his being the first marriage license issued after the county was organized. Later he removed to Williamsport, becoming one of the pioneers and farmers of that locality. He was also one of the prominent and leading citizens of Warren county, took an active part in local politics, and served as sheriff of the county for two terms. He cast his ballot with the Whig party. He was born in 1797 and died in 1852. The wife and mother, who was born in Kentucky, died in Danville, Illinois, July 5, 1884. In their family were six children who reached years of maturity: O. H. P., now a resident of Colorado; Vance, of Oregon; Frank, of California; Mrs. Cynthia BENGE, of Oregon; William, of Danville, Illinois; George K., our subject; Jacob, now county treasurer of Warren county, Indiana, and a resident of Williamsport.

George H. Sheffer is indebted to the schools of Williamsport for his literary education. He was one of the boys in blue during the Civil war, enlisting September 12, 1861, in Company K, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in all of the engagements in which his regiment took part up to the battle of Peach Tree Creek, before Atlanta, when he was seriously wounded. Later he re-enlisted and his regiment was kept intact through all the battles of his department. After four years of arduous and faithful service, he was honorably discharged in 1865.

While home on a furlough Mr. Sheffer was married, April 17, 1864, to Miss Martha WALKER, of West Lebanon, and they have a family of eight children: Jennie C., Ina M., Minnie, Ruth, Roscoe, Mabel, George and Myra. Minnie is now the wife of Harry EASTMAN, of Champaign, and they have two children, Herbert and Martha.

After the war, Mr. Sheffer returned to Williamsport, Indiana, but soon removed to Danville, Illinois, where he learned the carpenters trade and afterward worked as a journeyman and still later as a contractor and builder, erecting many residences in that city. In 1886 he came to Champaign, and here he has built up a good business as a contractor and builder.

As a Republican, Mr. Sheffer has taken an active part in political affairs, and he has twice been elected township clerk, which office he is now so creditably filling. He is also a member of the township board of health. He is a prominent and influential member of Colonel Nodine Post, No. 140, G.A.R., of which he was commander in 1899; has represented his post at the encampment at Rockford; and has always taken an active part in Grand Army affairs.