Family Reunions: The Schaeffer Family

Family Reunions: The Schaeffer Family

Source: Morton Montgomery, p. 320

Surnames: SCHAEFFER, REIB, BIEBER, CHRISTMAN, FETHEROLF

George Schaeffer, the pioneer of the Schaeffers, came to
this country from the German Palatinate, in August, 1750, and settled
in Richmond township, this county, soon after his landing. His wife
was Catharine Reib. They had the following five children: Elizabeth,
the eldest, married John Bieber; Margaret, the next eldest, married
Dewald Bieber; Maria married Michael Christman; Peter was the next and
Philip, who married Elizabeth Fetherolf, was the youngest of the family
and remained upon the homestead near Fleetwood. He had eight sons and
four daughters, all of whom were well-formed, large and strong. Father
Schaeffer died in 1792 and is buried in a private burial-ground on the
farm where he lived and died.

The family held its first reunion in 1903, and the second in 1906, both
in Kutztown Park. They were well attended. At both meetings D.
Nicholas Schaeffer, Esq., of Reading, delivered an historical address
on the pioneer Schaeffer. The second address was published in the
December, 1906, number of “The Pennsylvania German.” At the first
reunion Rev. Dr. N. C. Schaeffer, superintendent of public instruction
of Pennsylvania, delivered an address, “Where Did the Pennsylvania
Germans Come From and Why Did They Leave Their Fatherland?” At the
second reunion Harry D. Schaeffer, Esq., of Reading, delivered an
address, “Some Characteristics of the Schaeffer Family,” and Rev.
William C. Schaeffer, a professor of the Theological Seminary at
Lancaster, delivered an address entitled, “My Recent Trip Through
Germany”; Rev. David I. Schaeffer delivered an address entitled,
“Historical Side Lights.”

The Schaeffer family holds its reunions triennially. It is one of the
largest, most honored and intellectual families of the county. The
officers of 1908 were:

President, George D. Schaeffer, Fleetwood, Pa.

Secretary and Historian, Rev. David I. Schaeffer.

Executive Committee, Rev. C. E. Schaeffer, James D. Schaeffer, Joel M. Schaeffer, Daniel B. Schaeffer, James Schaeffer.