My Genealogy Hound

HARVEY G. SHANER, the leading hotel keeper of Douglass township, was born June 25, 1865, in Berks county, Pennsylvania. He is the son of William and Rebecca (Gross) Shaner. William Shaner died in 1884. His widow was born in 1836, and now resides in Boyertown. Her husband was forty-nine years of age at the time of his death. He was buried in Boyertown cemetery. Mr. William Shaner was a carpenter and builder. In politics he was a Democrat, and although never very active in party affairs, he was a leader in several progressive enterprises in the community in which he lived. The children of William and Rebecca (Gross) Shaner: Emma, married E. H. Johnson, and they live in New Hanover township, where he is a prosperous farmer, they having ten children; Jacob, married Sallie Stout, and they are farmers in New Hanover, they having seven children; Mary, married Dr. Boneman, a practicing physician of Boyertown, Berks county, they having four children; Harvey, the subject of this sketch; and Catharine, died very young.

Jacob and Mary Shaner (grandparents) lived in Berks county. He followed the trade of carpet weaver throughout his life. They died many years ago and are buried at Boyertown. He was also a Democrat. Jacob and Mary Gross (maternal grandparents) also lived at Boyertown, and followed the occupation of farming. He died between 1870 and 1880, and his wife survived until 1897. They are buried at Hill Church graveyard, Berks county.

Harvey G. Shaner attended school until he was sixteen years of age, and then started to learn the trade of saddler. He followed this occupation for thirteen years, and then worked in the livery business in Boyertown for some time. After abandoning the livery business he took charge of the hotel which he still manages, at Gilbertsville.

On December 26, 1892, Harvey G. Shaner married Naomi, daughter of Milton and Emma (Fisher) Gilbert, of Gilbertsville, where he is engaged in business as a blacksmith. They have two children: Catharine, married James Leister, who resides in Gilbertsville, where he is engaged in dealing in horses, having two children; Naomi, wife of Mr. Shaner. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey G. Shaner have no children. Mrs. Shaner was married previously to Harry Hittle, they having one child, Bertha, born in 1884 and residing with her mother and stepfather. Mr. Shaner is a member of the Order of Knights of Friendship, No. 55, of the Ancient Order United American Mechanics, at Swamp, No. 976, also of the Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain, No. 46, of Boyertown. He is also a member of the Royal Arch Masons of Norristown. In politics he is a Democrat, being a staunch supporter of the principles and candidates of the party, although he has never sought or held office. He has a high reputation as a hospitable and accommodating landlord, and has greatly prospered in the hotel business.