David C. Shaffer attended the district schools in Bethel Township in his boy hood and was given the advantage of one term at Heidelberg, after which he assumed farm duties and continued to help his father until his first marriage. He then settled on a farm near Phoneton and remained there until the death of his wife, when he returned to the homestead and has resided here ever since. During the Civil War be served out one term of enlistment as Sergeant in Company B, 147th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but with that exception has not been away from his home for any prolonged period. He has not found it necessary to do much improving beyond opening up some ditches and doing a little draining. His land produces well and he is numbered with the township's successful farmers.
Mr.Shaffer was married (first) March 8, 1860, to Miss Susan Arnold, a daughter of David and Mary (Detrick) Arnold. Mrs. Shaffer died in April, 1862, and was interred in Bethel Cemetery. She was the mother of two children, William W. and Susan, the former of whom died in middle life and the latter in infancy. William W. married Sarah Houser and is survived by three children, Reynold, Anna Mary and William. Mr. Shaffer was married (second) October 17, 1877, to Miss Sally B. Swain, a daughter of Charles B. and Mary L. (Davis) Swain, and they have three children, namely: Lilla and Anna, twins, and Charles C. Lilla is the wife of W.A.Hatten and theyhave two children, Lester and Alice. Anna and Charles C. reside at homeand the latter is a member of the graduating class of 1910, at the Bethel High School. Mr.and Mrs. Shaffer are members of the Reformed Church, in which he is one of the trustees. Formerly he belonged to the Grange in Bethel Township but is no longer identified with that organization. He is a Republican in his political views but has never accepted any office save that of school director, in which he has servedone term.
- Harbaugh's 1909 History of Miami County Ohio
The following obituary appeared in the Jacksonville Daily Journal of Friday, March 1, 1895.
"Uncle Billy Smith Gone". W. A. Smith, known all over the county as "Uncle Billy", died Wednesday morning at 12:30. His children, with the exception of the youngest, were present. His death was no surprise to his family and neighbors, as he has been terribly affected for the past six months with bone erysipelas, suffering untold pain, but never complaining. He passed away quietly, in his right mind, praising God for his many mercies. On Tuesday night he talked with his children and grandchildren, telling them he was soon to go to his final reward, urging them to live a life that would be acceptable to God and finally bring them to the home he was going to. After talking to each one individually, he shook hands with all present, bidding them all farewell, saying: "The gates of hell are closed against me, and the pearly gates stand ajar and I will soon pass through hallelujah." Uncle Billy was 82 years old; he leaves a wife and five children to mourn their loss. It is sad to lose a parent, but when one saw this old man in his sufferings and the resignation, we think one-half of the pain and grief is forgotten when we remember the life the old man has lived, the preparations he had made and the willingness with which he departed. The funeral will be held Friday at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. M. De L. Bowen at Grace Chapel. He will be buried in the cemetery on his own farm, directly after the funeral services.)
The following biography of this man is copied from page 750 of "History of Morgan County, Illinois, 1878".
WILLIAM SMITH, farmer, Section 24, Township 16 N Range 11 W, Post Office Jacksonville; born in Wilson County, Kentucky, Dec. 11, 1814; married Sept. 9, 1843, to Sarah Ann Vanderbilt; had one child, James A., born Sept. 6, 1845; his wife died the same year, at the age of 20; married again Sept. 9, 1852, to Mrs. Nancy Ratliff; her maiden name was Rubart; born Aug. 11, 1825, in Sangamon County; had eight children: Elizabeth, born March 5, 1855, died 1873; Sarah Allen, Aug. 17, 1858, now Mrs. F. Long; Douglas, Aug. 16, 1861; Catharine, Oct. 27, 1863, died in 1867; Nancy Ann, Aug. 29, 1866, died Aug. 22, 1869; his parents moved to Missouri in 1826; he came to this county in 1836; he here learned the house carpenter trade, and worked at it in Cass, Morgan, Brown, and some in Scott Co.; the last carpentering he did was in 1849, in Brown County; then bought a farm near concord and commenced farming, which he has followed since then; Mr. Smith joined the M.E. church at Concord in 1842; in 1860 he joined the Methodist P. church, and has been an active member of that church since; Mr. Smith has been school director for 20 years, and is at present school director of Dist. No. 1; since the Murphy movement he has taken an active interest in it, and holds the position of chaplain in Dist.No. 1.