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Thomas J Shaner
THOMAS J. SHANER, sheriff of Armstrong county, and a man whose influence
has been felt in this locality for some years, although he is still in the
very prime of vigorous manhood, was born Feb. 12, 1877, in Westmoreland
county, Pa., a son of David F. and Martha J. (Owens) Shaner.The founder of the Shaner family in the United States was a native of
Germany who settled in Westmoreland county at an early date, and became one of
the prosperous farmers of that region.Henry Shaner, father of David F. Shaner, and grandson of the first Shaner
in America, was born and reared in Westmoreland county, Pa., where he spent
his useful life. He, too was a successful farmer and good business man. His
family numbered eighteen children, most of whom grew to maturity, and thirteen
of them still survive, being numbered among the venerable residents of
Westmoreland county.David F. Shaner moved to Apollo, Armstrong county, about 1883, and has
continued to make his home there ever since. For many years he was employed in
the iron mills there, but is now retired from active life. He and his wife had
seven children, as follows: Harry E.; Lazarus H.; William A.; Thomas J.; Frank
B.; Bessie, deceased; and Jennie K.Thomas J. Shaner was educated at the public schools of Apollo and in a
commercial college, where he took a comprehensive business course. Following
this he became a clerk in a hardware and grocery store, where he remained
until Jan. 1, 1904, when he was appointed deputy sheriff under Erwin E.
Cochrane. His three years of faithful service proved his worth, and three
years later he was appointed to the same office by Sheriff Frick. For three
years more he discharged the duties of this important office, and was the
logical candidate of his party for sheriff in 1909, receiving a majority of
2,916, the largest ever given a nominee for this office.On June 12, 1907, Mr. Shaner was married to Jennie E. Shaffer, daughter of
Chambers A. Shaffer, of Kittanning. Two children, Mary Lucille and Kenneth
Owen, have been born of this marriage. Mr. Shaner is a consistent member of
the Baptist Church. Since he entered upon the duties of his office, Jan. 1,
1910, a decided improvement has been made in such county matters as come under
his jurisdiction, and the people of Armstrong county feel that in him they
have a first-class, conscientious and business-like sheriff.Source: Pages 768-769 Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and
Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 1998 by Kathy Zagorac for the Armstrong County Beers
Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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