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.