Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Shreffler, John D 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 3, 2007, 4:50 pm

Author: Genealogical/Biographical Publishing Co

JOHN D. SHREFFLER. During the more than fifty years that Mr. Shreffler has 
made his home in this county he has gained a wide acquaintance and a high 
standing among its citizens. In former years his business interests required 
his presence in other counties and states much of the time, yet he always kept 
in touch with affairs in his home neighborhood, and gave his influence in 
behalf of measures for the benefit of the people. Though now in the twilight 
of his useful life, he is still remarkably active and retains his interest in 
matters relating to the welfare of the state and nation. He has witnessed with 
pride the gradual growth of the county, the introduction of railroads, 
telegraph and telephone lines, the founding of villages and the improvement of 
valuable farms from the broad-stretching prairie, and in all of this work of 
development he has borne no insignificant part. He has not sought positions of 
an official nature, preferring the part of a private citizen, whose duties he 
has at all times striven to fill; but, though not an office-seeker nor a 
politician, he consented, at the request of the voters of his section, to hold 
the office of assessor as well as a number of village offices.

The Shreffler family has been identified with American history for at least 
four generations, having come from Germany in an early day. Henry Shreffler, 
who was a native of Pennsylvania, served in the Revolutionary war, and as a 
result of the exposure and sufferings of those memorable years, lost his 
eyesight. Among his four sons and one daughter was a son, Daniel, who was 
educated in subscription schools and under his father, learned the weaver's 
trade, besides which he engaged in farming. He was a zealous worker in the 
Evangelical Association and often officiated as a local preacher in that 
denomination. Politically he was a Democrat. By his marriage to Catherine 
Dauberman he had six children, of whom one son and three daughters are 
deceased, the survivors being John D. and Mrs. Rebecca Hahn, both of this 
county.

In Center County, Pa., John D. Shreffler was born in 1817. Reared on a farm, 
he early became familiar with that occupation. In the spring of 1846 he came 
to Illinois and took up his residence in Will County, bringing with him his 
bride, who was Sarah A. Tonner, of Pennsylvania. After a time he became 
connected with C. Aultman & Co., of Akron, Ohio, as their representative in 
Illinois, Wisconsin and the states west, for the sale of the Buckeye reaper 
and the Sweepstakes thresher. He was given charge of the appointing and 
supervision of local agents and also made all collections for the firm in his 
district. Some years later the business was divided, and he was given charge 
of the reaper and mower department. He continued with the company for ten 
years, meantime traveling through every section of Illinois and also visiting 
other states. Through his energy and perseverance a large business was built 
up. Supplies were distributed from Chicago to the various points, as ordered. 
During the fall of each year he visited county fairs, exhibiting the 
implements for which he was agent. However, the business required him to be 
away from home so much of the time that he became dissatisfied and determined 
to retire from it. Settling up his accounts, he turned his attention to the 
management of his landed interests in Will County. His farm was located in the 
southern part of the village of Plainfield, and all but ninety-one acres of 
the quarter section was within the village limits; a portion of the place has 
since been platted in town lots and sold. Besides the buying and selling of 
land, he erected a number of business buildings and several residences, which 
he rents. He was also contractor in the building of one of the former 
Plainfield schoolhouses. He has invested largely in both improved and 
unimproved real estate, and has held the most of what he has bought.

Since the time of John C. Fremont's presidential campaign, Mr. Shreffler has 
been a Republican. Fraternally he is connected with Plainfield Lodge, A. F. & 
A. M. When a young man he united with the Methodist Church and he has since 
been an active worker in the denomination, being one of the leading supporters 
of the congregation at Plainfield. He has aided in the erection of two 
edifices in this place, the second of which is the finest ever built here, 
being a stone structure that was built at a cost of $18,000. As chairman of 
the building committee, the responsibility of the work fell largely upon him, 
and he gave not only of his time, but also very liberally of his means. He has 
held the various offices in the church and is now serving as a steward and 
trustee. In former years he also held the office of Sunday-school 
superintendent. Not only religious, but all worthy charitable movements, have 
received his encouragement and aid. No worthy object of charity ever appealed 
to him in vain for help; yet, while he has been a constant giver, he has done 
it so quietly and unostentatiously that it may be truly said of him the right 
hand knew not what the left hand did. Having no children of his own, it has 
been one of his pleasures to help the children of others, and he is 
exceedingly popular among the little ones of his neighborhood. As one of the 
early residents of the county, and a man whose energies have been devoted to 
the development of its agricultural resources, his name well deserves mention 
in this work.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present

Biographical Publishing Company; Chicago 1900

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