History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 138

WILLIAM H. SHAVER

William H. Slaver is a representative of the commercial interests of Sherman, where he is now conducting a well appointed furniture store. A native of the Empire state, his birth occurred upon a farm in the township of Wayland, Steuben county, New York, on the 10th of April, 1852. His father, Stephen Shaver, was a blacksmith and wagonmaker and also engaged in farming to some extent. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Miss Julanah Shutes and they spent their entire married life in New York, both passing away in Livingston county, both being between sixty and seventy years of age at the time of death. They were the parents of eleven children. William H. Shaver, whose name introduces this review and who was their second child, lived with his parents in Steuben county until he was about fifteen years of age. During that time he had acquired a fair English education in the public schools. He then accompanied his father and mother on their removal to Livingston county, New York, where he continued to make his home with them until 1876. He assisted his father in wagonmaking while remaining under the parental roof, but when twenty-four years of age he decided to start out in life for himself and spent about two years in Ontario county, New York, during whichtime he was employed at farm labor during the summer seasons, while in the winter months he taught school. The west, with its opportunities and business possibilities, however, attracted him and leaving the Empire state he proceeded towards the setting sun until he reached Kansas. He spent about three months in that state with the intention of locating there, but not liking the country as well as he had anticipated, he returned to his old home in New York. Not long afterward he started for Michigan, settling in Grand Traverse county, in August, 1879. He lived there for a year and during the first winter of his residence in this state was engaged in teaching school. In the spring of 1880 he came to Hanover township, Wexford county, and settled upon a farm which he continued to cultivate and improve for about two years, and in addition he also engaged in school teaching. On leaving the farm he took up his abode in the village of Sherman, where he taught school for about four terms, or a year and a half. He next entered the employ of H. B. Sturtevant as a salesman and that he proved lost loyal to the trust reposed in him and was most capable in the discharge of his duties is indicated by the fact that for fourteen years he was continued in that employ. With the capital which he had thus acquired through his industry and economy Mr. Shaver began business on his own account by establishing a furniture and undertaking store and this he has since conducted with gratifying success, his trade continually increasing. He now carries a large and well selected line of goods, ranging from the cheaper to the higher grades in order to meet the varied demands of his customers. On the 23rd of August, 1899, Mr. Shaver was united in marriage to Miss Lilla Falby, a native of Canada. They have a pleasant home in Sherman, in addition to which he owns forty acres of highly improved land in Grand Traverse county. He is now active and influential in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member, and contributes liberally to its support, doing all in his power to promote its influence. He is likewise a member of Sherman Lodge No. 372, Free and Accepted Masons, and has held almost all of the offices in the lodge. His fraternal relations likewise connect him with Maqueston Tent No. 654, Knights of the Maccabees, and with Sherman Lodge, Knights of Pythias. In manner Mr. Shaver is genial and affable, qualities which have won him many friends, and he also retains the high regard of those with whom he is brought in contact by reason of his honorable business methods and his fidelity to principle.