My Genealogy Hound

HARRY A. SHANER, son of George H. and Sarah (Levengood) Shaner, was born on the farm where he has always lived, on March 6, 1869. He is one of the most prosperous and careful farmers in Lower Pottsgrove township, and has won his place in the world entirely through his own efforts.

George H. Shaner (father) was born on the same farm as his son, in Lower Pottsgrove township, and combined with his occupation of farming his trade of shoemaking, in which he was very skillful. He served in the Civil war as a private. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a school director for many years. George Shaner built the house which is now standing on the Shaner farm. He was a member of the following organizations: the Mechanics, and the Grand Army of the Republic. George H. Shaner died in September, 1896, and his wife died in April of the same year. They had three children, one of whom, Alice, died very young. The other two are: Harry A.; Flora, married Frank Radel, and lives in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where he is a photographer.

George Shaner (grandfather) lived upon the present home of the estate of John E. Krause, in Lower Pottsgrove township. His occupation was that of a day laborer. He lived to be ninety-four years of age. He married Mary Hartenstein, and they were both members of the Swamp Lutheran congregation of New Hanover township.

Harry A. Shaner received a very limited education, using education in its generally accepted sense. But he has educated himself by persevering in whatever he has undertaken during his life. He was employed in Pottstown for some years, and then learned the trade of stonemason.

He married Laura Wagner, daughter of Martin and Emma Matilda (Smith) Wagner. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner resided at that time and still reside in Fegleysville, Montgomery county, where he was a farmer, and is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wagner bought the farm where they still have their home from Mr. and Mrs. Deiter Smith (parents of Mrs. Wagner) in 1868. The place, which had been used as a hospital during the war and which had been a burying ground for soldiers, still contains some relics of the war. Jacob Wagner (grandfather of Mrs. Shaner) was also a farmer near Fegleysville.

Harry A. Shaner followed his trade of a stonemason until 1896, when he bought his father’s farm, and since that time has not only attended to his farming but has also continued in his former business. Before removing to his present home, Mr. Shaner spent some time in Perkiomen township, being engaged in the milling business.

The farm has been greatly improved under his management, and each year he aims to be in a better position than before. He is a member of the following organizations: the Knights of the Mystic Chain; the Junior Mechanics; the Odd Fellows of Pottstown. He and his wife belong to the German Reformed church of New Hanover township. They have no children. Mrs. Shaner was born in 1872.