James Austin Sheffer

NOT A DIRECT ANCESTOR James Austin Sheffer is not in my direct ancestry. He is related by marriage to Anna Catherine "Annie" Kline who is 1 step removed in the following ways: Sister of Winnifred May Kline Daughter of of John Abram Kline and Elizabeth Anna Frederick

(Emlenton, Pennsylvania)

	Date	Location	Notes	Sources
Birth	June 1880	prob. Salem Twp, Clarion Co, PA
1st Marriage	8 Oct 1908		Anna Catherine "Annie" Kline
2nd Marriage	1941		Mrs Bertha Frederick Coates of Fern
Death	1960	Oil City Hospital, Venango Co. PA	of heart attack at home, Emlenton PA
Burial		Emlenton Cemetery, Lot 88 Sec.2

Ancestry chart segment

    Generation 3               Generation 4                   Generation 5            Generation 6            Generation 7
                                                                                                          +-- Adam Schaeffer
                                                                                                          |    (1751-1840)
                                                                                  +-- John Sheffer -------+
                                                                                  |   (1784-1864)         |
                                                          +-- Jacob Best Sheffer--+                       +-- Catherine Dorothea Trope (Sipe)
                                                          |   (1814-1900)         |
                           +-- George Mansfield Sheffer --+                       +-- Barbara Anna Bescht/Best
                           |   (1847-1937 )               |
 +--James Austin Sheffer --+                              +-- Sarah Linn
 |  (1880-1960)            |                                  (1824-1890)
 |                         +-- Sarah Eleanor Myers
 |                             (1853-1910)
 |
 +-- Anna Catherine "Annie" Kline
     (1885-1939) 
 Sources: 

Children

(children with Annie Kline)

Name	Gender	Date of Birth	Birthplace	Spouse	Notes	Sources
Hazel Louise Sheffer	F	28 July,1909 d. 17 May 1983	Emlenton, Venango Co. PA	Earl Campbell Crawford (b.1894-d.4 Apr 1978); married 24 Feb 1945; son of Charles Henry Crawford (b. 29 July 1871-d. after 1958) & Eva Campbell (b. 21 Aug1869-18 Oct 1957)	1 child of Hazel Sheffer: Donald Eugene Sheffer b. 12 June 1928
George Elmer Sheffer	M	Emlenton, Venango Co. PA	10 July 1911- d.15 Jan 1967	Reva Jane Smith (b. 25 May 1908- d. 2002); married 29 June 1940	2 sons, living in 2008
Leota Ailene Sheffer	F	3 Aug 1913	Emlenton, Venango Co. PA	not married	d. 22 Dec 1993
James Arthur "Art" Sheffer	M	18 June 1916	expect Venango Co. PA	m. 1) Kathryn G. Mays (b. 6 June 1918); m.2) 1 Feb 1938 to Ruth M. Logue	Art d. 3 Feb 1981 3 daughters: Louise Sheffer b. 20 Apr 1939 & m. Richard Beichner,res. New Castle; 2 dau. (died before their father)
Frederick Pershing Sheffer	M	b.17 Sept1918 - d.20 Apr 1981	Emlenton, Venango Co. PA	Marie Sunderland (b.17 Feb 1924); married 14 June 1941	2 sons, 3 daughters
Bernard Kline Sheffer	M	12 Nov 1921-11 Feb 1976	Emlenton, Venango Co. PA	Louise Peters (b. 5 June 1924; married 3 Feb 1946	Died 11 Feb 1976; 1 son, 2 daughters

Places of Residence

Location	Dates	Notes	Sources
Salem Twp, Clarion Co, PA	at birth	see source notes
Emlenton, Venango Co.PA	by 1900

Photo Gallery

Donald Sheffer at grandmother Annie Kline Sheffer's

Don Sheffer on tricycle

Elmer, Fred, & Don Sheffer, at Annie Kline Sheffer's house in Emlenton PA

Elmer Sheffer and George Kelly (son-in-law of Frank J. Frederick)

Elmer Sheffer in rowboat, Allegheny River at Emlenton

Fred, Hazel, & Don Sheffer, at the Elgie & Winnie Kline Beals farm

Hazel & Don Sheffer at Beals farm

left to rt: 2 unknowns, Austin Sheffer, Elmer Sheffer

Loy Beals, Art, Bernard & Fred Sheffer

Hazel & Art Sheffer at Beals farm

Austin Sheffer, unknown, G. M. Sheffer, Dorothy & Branfield Sheffer

Aunt Mary Elizabeth Sheffer (Weber),J Austin Sheffer, children Hazel, Ailene,& Fred Sheffer,& nephew Branfield Sheffer Jr

Philistia Kline, Ailene, Hazel, Bernard, & Don Sheffer, Annie Kline Sheffer

Ailene, Hazel & Don Sheffer

Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Sheffer, tin type, restored

Family plot, gravestones of James Austin Sheffer, Anna Kline Sheffer, Aliene Sheffer

Gravestone of Bernard K. Sheffer, Emlenton Cemetery

Emlenton Cemetery gravestone photos 1991 by E W Williams

Sources

Ref. Num.	Description	Image of original
1	1900 United States Federal Census, District 141, Emlenton, Venango Co, PA, page 10. Census dated 5 June 1900. Lines 93-98: George M. Sheffer, head, 52, b. July 1847, married 25 years, machinist, owns home with mortgage; Sara E., wife, 47, b. Feb 1853, married 25 years, 6 children born, 4 living; Austin J., son, 19, b. June, 1880, at school; Estella, dau., 17, b. July 1882, at school; Plummer N., son, 15, b. Mar 1885, at school; William A., son, 12, b. June 1887, at school. All and all parents b. PA. Family resides at 108 Hill Street.
2	1910 United States Federal Census, District 112, Emlenton, Venango Co, PA, page 11. Census dated 19 Apr 1910. Lines 1-3: James A. Sheffer, 30, m. 1 year, machinist, foundry, owns home, no mortgage; Anna, 24, m. 1 year, 1 child, 1 living; Hazel L., 8 months. All born PA, all parents b. PA. Adults can read, write and speak English. The family lives on Hill Street.
3	1920 United States Federal Census, District 110, Emlenton, Venango Co, PA, page 16. Census dated 16 Jan 1920. Lines 84-90: James O. Sheffer, 38, machinist, machine shop; Anna C, 35, wife; Hazel L, 10; George E, 8; Aliene L, 6; James A, 3 yr 6 mo; Frederick P, 1 yr 3 mo. All (and all parents) b. PA. Hazel, George and Aliene attended school, All can speak English, all but Aliene, James A. and Frederick can read and write. Family lives on Hill Street. Also on page James A. Beal (lines 51-56) and Guy H. Kline (71-74)
4	1930 United States Federal Census, District 10, Emlenton, Venango Co, PA, page 8. Census dated 8 Apr 1930. Lines 87-95: J. Austin Sheffer, 49, married at 25, machinist, oil refinery, owns home, $1500 value, owns radio; Anna C, 44, m. at 23, wife; Hazel L, 20; George E, 18; Leota A., 15; James A, 13, newsboy, street; Frederick P, 11, newsboy, street; Bernard K., 8; Donald E., grandson, 1 yr, 11 mo. All (and all parents) b. PA. George, Leota, James A., Frederick and Bernard attended school, All but Bernard and Donald can read, and write English. Family lives on Hill Street.
5	1940 United States Federal Census, District 61-12, Emlenton, Venango Co., PA, page 12. Census dated 20 Apr 1430. Lines 49-52: J. Austin Sheffer, 59, widower, lives with his daughter Hazel L. Sheffer, 30; his son Frederick P. Sheffer, 21; and his grandson [?] Bernard K. Sheffer, 19. Everyone was born in PA and they all lived in the same house on 1 Apr 1935. Austin and Frederick are machinists. Hazel is a switch board operator. Family lives on Hill Street.
6	Research of Ella Beals (Wilson), niece of Anna Catherine Kline (Sheffer); research 1970-1985.
7	Gravestone transcriptions, Emlenton Cemetery, 1991 by Elizabeth Wilson Williams James Austin Sheffer 1880-1960 Anna Kline Sheffer 1885-1939 Aliene Sheffer 1913 (2nd date not inscribed) Bernard K. Sheffer 1921-1976, US Navy WWII
8	Personal correspondence from Elizabeth Wilson Williams, granddaughter of Winnifred May Kline.
9	Rick Sheffer personal correspondence Aug 2008 - ongoing. "Sheffer Family Journey, from the Rhineland to Venango County, Pa.", copyright 2008 by Rick Sheffer, a powerpoint presentation of data and photos,program presented in Emlenton PA Sept. 2008. Information based on Hazel Sheffer Crawford's collection of family and other photos to be donated to the Pumping Jack Museum (of the local oil industry),located in the former Crawford High School building, Emlenton, Venango Co. PA. George M. Sheffer lived in a rather large brick 2 or 3 story house which he built on the SW corner of Hill St. & 2nd St. If 2nd St. were extended further north it would run onto the E. side of the Catholic Church. This is the hill where Plummer "Tummie" Sheffer was paralyzed riding on a "go-devil" (a one-runner sled). George M. Sheffer's machine shop was located next to his house, on the south side, down the hill and along the old RR track bed. The building was still standing in 2008-09, but scheduled for demolition. (This area lies toward the old entrance to the closed Penzoil Refinery on the Allegheny River) Austin Sheffer's home was just west of the George M. Sheffer home (toward the refinery) and further up Hill St. It lies across Hill St. from the west end of the Catholic Church playground. Austin's machine shop was attached to the house. The Elmer Sheffer home was the former Lutheran Church parsonage, on the NE corner of Kerr Ave. (brick paved) & Hill St.; across from the old Crawford High School; Emlenton PA. The farm owned by John Sheffer (son of John Adam Sheffer) is today under Kahle Lake, Salem Twp., Clarion Co. PA.
10	The John Adam Scheffer Family History and Lineage 1751-1958 compiled by Hazel Sheffer Crawford, Emlenton, PA 1958. Submitted to us by Nancy Beals Walls Oct 2008.
11	Obituary of James Austin Sheffer, transcription by Margaret "Peg" Kahle, source not given. Emlenton - James Austin Sheffer retired Quaker State employee and operator of the Sheffer Machine Shop, died yesterday February 5, 1960 in the Oil city Hospital. He was 79. He suffered a heart attack Tuesday in his home. Mr. Sheffer was born June 11, 1880, in Pickwick, Clarion County, the son of George M. and Sarah Eleanor Myers Sheffer. He started work in his father's machine shop when he was 12 and went to work for Quaker State when the shop was closed. He retired from the oil company in 1945 and started his own machine shop. He was married October 8, 1908 to Anna Kline who died August 22, 1939. He then married Mrs. Bertha Coates of Fern in 1941 who survives. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Children surviving are Mrs. Earl Crawford and Elmer Sheffer of Emlenton; Ailene Sheffer of Pittsburgh; Arthur of Foxburg; Frederick of Philadelphia and Bernard of St. Petersburg. Thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren are also living. Services Monday at Criswell Funeral Home with Rev. John H. Templeton of Emlenton Methodist church officiating. Interment will be in the Emlenton Cemetery. (Note: Peg Kahle has added: Lot 88 Sec.2.) [NB: Butler Area Public Library's online obituary index has a record for James Austin Sheffer of Emlenton in the Butler Eagle dated 6 Feb 1960, page 4, on film #244. This is the likely source for this obituary.]
12	Obituary James Arthur "Art" Sheffer, from collection of Margaret "Peg" Kahle, source & date missing. James Arthur Sheffer. Funeral services for James Arthur "Art" Sheffer, 64, of Foxburg, who died at 10:15 p.m. Tue. Feb. 3, 1981, in Franklin Hosp. were held Fri. Feb. 6 in St. Petersburg. Services at Karle D. McKinney funeral Home, Rev. Samuel Dunning, pastor of Foxburg United Methodist church officiating. Burial at St. Petersburg Cemetery. Mr. Sheffer owned & operated Sheffer Machine Co. in Foxburg; retired in 1979 from Witco Chemical Co., Petrolia as machinist. Born Emlenton June 18, 1916, son of James Austin and Anna Kline Sheffer. He attended the United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife Ruth M. Logue Sheffer, daughter Mrs. Richard (Louise) Beichner of New Castle; a stepdaughter Mrs. Dale (Linda) Groom of St. Petersburg; two sisters, Mrs. Hazel Crawford of Emlenton and Ailene Sheffer of Pittsburgh; a grother, Frederick Sheffer of Phila.; 6 grandchildren. Two daughters & 2 brothers preceded him in death. (Note:Margaret "Peg" Kahle has added: Louise Sheffer Beichner b. 20 Apr. 1939)
13	Obituary of Kathryn G. Balest, (nee Mays) first wife of James Arthur Sheffer. From the collection of Peg Kahle. Original publication source missing. Kathryn G. Balest (age 64) of Marienville, widow of V.P.Balest died 5$5 Monday in Franklin hospital. She was born 8 June 1918, parents were Fred Mays and Rhoda Stover Mays. She married Victor P. Balest on 6 June 1970, he survives(*). Also surviving are a daughter Mrs. Richard (Louise) Beichner of New Castle (PA), three stepchildren: Mrs. Edward (Maxine) Walzcek of New Kensington; Cheryl Balesteri of Newport, CA and Janice Balest of California; a sister: Mrs. Robert (Rebecca) Wendell of Knox and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two daughters: Elizabeth Jane and Suellen; and two brothers: Joseph and William Mays. Funeral is at Hawk Funeral Home in Sligo, Rev. Albert Ford of PArkstown Bible Church officiating. Interment at Callansburg Cemetery. Note: Peg Kahle added the following margin notes: Date 4 Apr 1983 (unclear if this is date of death or date of publication) Kathryn Mays 1st wife of J. Arthur Sheffer. Their daughter, Betty Jane 19 Feb 1942 - 5 Dec 1942 in Emlenton Cemetery. Their daughter, Suellen Sheffer deceased-died quite young as an adult. b. 17 Feb 1941 Suzie died 9 Mar 1975 Callensburg Cemetery md. Gerald Grivna-two children adopted - Shane Grivna and Heidi Grivna. Note: V(ictor) P. Balest is reported as surviving, but Katheryn is reported as his widow. This inconsistency is unresolved. Note: Based on the dates in the obituaries, it is probable that Kathryn and Art Sheffer were divorced and she remarried.
13A	Obituary of Sue Ellen Sheffer Grivna, from collection of Peg Kahle. Original source not given. Sue Ellen Grivna, age 34, of Pine CO, formerly of Foxburg, died at 2am Sunday at home. Born 17 Feb 1941 in Emlenton, dau. of Arthur Sheffer of Foxburg and Katherine Balest of Marienville. She was a 1959 graduate of Allegheny-Clarion Valley HS and a member of the Foxburg United Methodist Church. In addition to her husband Gerald, she is survived by a dau. Heidi and a son, Shane (at home); also a sister; Mrs. Richard (Louise) Beichner of New Castle. Her parents also survive. Service at McKinney Funeral Home in St. Petersburg, Rev. Ford of New Castle officiating. Interment at Callensburg Cemetery. Margin note by Peg Kahle: 9 Mar 1975.
14	Obituary of Ruth M. Sheffer (nee Logue) from the collection of Peg Kahle, Oil City Derrick, 7 Nov 1994. Ruth M. Logue Altman Sheffer, age 74, of Foxburg died at 3:30 pm Sunday 6 Nov 1994 in Clarion Hospital. Born 29 May 1920, in Annisville, Butler Co., dau. of Emmons B. Logue and Blanche Lewis Logue. Member of St. Petersburg Methodist Church. and St. Petersburg Women's Club. MArried 11 Feb 1966 in Sandy Lake to James Arthur Sheffer, who died 3 Feb 1981. Surviving are a daughter: Mrs. Dale (Linda) Groom of St. Petersburg, two granddaughters: Mrs. Michael (Karen) Meals and Darlene Groom, both of St. Petersburg; a sister: Mrs. Leroy (Rachel) Dotteerer of St. Petersburg; three nieces; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, brother and nephew. Services will be at the Christopher M. Hile Funeral Home, St. Petersburg with Rev. Arthur T. Moffat Jr., pastor of St. Petersburg United Methodist Ch. officiating. Interment at St. Petersburg Cemetery.
15	Obituary of Hazel Sheffer Crawford from the collection of Peg Kahle, possibly from Oil City Derrick, 24 May 1983. Hazel Sheffer Crawford of Main St., Emlenton died 17 May at 7:15pm in Maryview Hospital, Portsmouth, VA. Born 28 July, 1909 in Emlenton, PA to Austin and Anna (Kline) Sheffer. Married Earl C. Crawford 24 Feb 1945. He preceded her in death 4 Apr 1978. Worked for local telephone company and attended Emlenton United Methodist Church. Survived by one son: Donald Sheffer of Chesapeake, VA; one sister: Aliene Sheffer of Pittsburgh, PA and two grandchildren: Howard and Donna Sheffer of Chesapeake, VA. She was preceded in death by four brothers. Funeral 21 MAy at 2:00pm in Criswell-Gardinier Funeral Home, Rev. Roger Buzard of Emlenton UMC presiding. Internment in Emlenton Cemetery
16	Obituary of George Elmer Sheffer, from collection of Peg Kahle. Original source not given. George Elmer Sheffer, 55, a Quaker State Oil Refining Corp. employee and well-known resident of Emlenton died 2 pm Sunday in his home. Born 10 July 1911, son of James Austin and Anna Kline Sheffer. Married 29 June 1940 to Reva Jane Smith of St. Marys, WV, who survives. Graduated Emlenton HS in 1930 and attended The School of Engineering at Pennsylvania State Univ., grad. in 1936. Worked as a Maintenance Superintendant at Quaker State, Emlenton. Member Emlenton United Methodist Church. In addition to his wife, he was survived by two sons: Lt.(j.g.) George Thomas Sheffer of Boston, MA and Aviation Cadet Richard David Sheffer of Pensacola, FL; two sisters: Mrs. Earl C. (HAzel) Crawford of Emlenton and Ailene Sheffer of Pittsburgh; three brothers, James Arthur of Foxburg, Frederick of Philadelphia, and Bernard Sheffer of Lebanon, IN and several nieces and...(truncated). Services at Criswell Funeral Home in Emlenton Rev. Lloyd Tennies of Emlenton UMC officiating, Internment in Emlenton Cemetery. * Margin note added by Mrs. Kahle: 15 Jan 1967.
17	Obituary for Leota Ailene Sheffer, from collection of Peg Kahle. Original source not given' Leota Ailene Sheffer, age 80, former resident of Emlenton, died 22 Dec 1993 at Maryview Medical Center in Virginia. Born 3 Aug 1913 in Emlenton, dau. of JAmes Austin Sheffer and Anna Kline Sheffer. Member Emlenton United Methodist Church. Retired registered nurse from West Penn Hospital. Survived by nephew: Donald E. Sheffer of Chesapeake, VA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister: Hazel Crawford; and four brothers: Elmer, Frederick, Arthur and Bernard Sheffer. Graveside services 1 pm Sunday at Emlenton Cemetery, Arthur T. Moffatt Jr. officiating, Criswell Gardinier Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Margin note by Mrs. Kahle: Lot 87 Sec 2.
18	Obituary for Frederick P. Sheffer, from collection of Peg Kahle. Orig source not given, dated 5 May 1981. Frederick P. Sheffer, age 62, died Monday 20 Apr 1981 at St. Mary Hospital, Philadelphia, PA after long illness.Born Emlenton, PA 17 Sept 1918, son of Austin and Anna Kline Sheffer. Attended Emlenton schools, served with US Navy in WW II, discharged as machinist mate first class. Employed by city of Philadelphia until his illness. Married 14 June 1941 in Philadelphia to Marie Sunderland who survives along with children: James F. Sheffer of Medford, NJ; Mrs. Joseph T. (Patsy) Lawson; Mrs Richard (Geraldine) Borman; and Mrs. William (Frances) Carosseli; all of Philadelphia. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Elmer, Bernard, and Arthur, who passed away 3 Feb 1981. Funeral services were at Burns Funeral Home on Friday morning 14 Apr followed by burial at Whitemarsh Memorial Park in Harshan, PA.
19	Obituary for Bernard Kline Sheffer, from collection of Peg Kahle. Original source not listed. Bernard Kline Sheffer, age 54, of Lebanon, IN, formerly of Emlenton, was killed instantly in an auto accident in Indiana on Wednesday. Born in Emlenton 21 Nov 1921, son of Austin and Anna Kline Sheffer. A veteran of WW II, he served in the US Navy for 42 months. Married Louise Peters 3 Feb 1946. She survives. In addition, he is survived by a son: Edward Sheffer of Parker; and two daughters: Mrs. Glenn (Linda) Speckman of Indianapolis, IN and Mrs. Timothy (Elizabeth) Ranney of Lebanon, IN. Also surviving are two sisters: Mrs. Earl (Hazel) Crawford of Emlenton and Ailene Sheffer of Pittsburgh; two brothers: Arthur Sheffer of Foxburg and Frederick Sheffer of Philadelphia; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A brother, Elmer Sheffer of Emlenton preceded him in death. Arrangements by Criswell Funeral Home. Services conducted by Rev. Daniel Stinson of the United Methodist Church of Emlenton on Saturday at 2pm. Internment in Emlenton Cemetery. Margin notes by Mrs. Kahle: Lot #84 Section 2 Emlenton Cemetery. Dated 11 Feb 1976.
20	World War I draft registration card for James Austin Sheffer of Emlenton, Venango Co., PA, dated 12 Sep 1918. He is 38 years old, born on 11 Jun 1880. He is white, and a native born US Citizen. He is a machinist working for G. M. Sheffer in Emlenton. His nearest relative is his wife, Anna Sheffer, of Emlenton. He is of medium height and build with gray eyes and brown hair.
21	World War II draft registration card for James Austin Sheffer of Emlenton, Venango Co., PA, dated 27 Apr 1942. He is 61 years old, born on 11 Jun 1880 in Clarion. His telephone number is "43" (hah!). He lists Hazel Sheffer of Emlenton as someone who will always know his address. His employer is Quaker State Oil Co. in Emlenton. He is 5' 8" tall and weighs ~188 lbs. He is white, has brown eyes, gray hair, and a sallow complexion. "Parts of index and middle fingers on right hand missing."

Source notes

• Birthplace of children would be Venango Co. PA if born at home in Emlenton; possibly Clarion Co. PA if born at Clarion hospital.
• Birthpalce implied from residence of parents in June 1880 see George Mansfield Sheffer
• First wife Annie Kline and 2nd wife Bertha Frederick (Coats) were first cousins; their mothers were Frederick sisters.