Anna Mary Benzell, wife of Albert Craig Shaver, was born in Perry county where her parents had settled in the early part of 1800. When she was but a child her parents moved to Bedford county where she grew to be a hard working young lady, helping with the farm work. She was of German descent, her grandfather, Benjamin Benzell, being a soldier in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary war.

She was but 15 years of age when she met and married Albert Shaver, in Bedford, the ceremony being performed in the Methodist church of Bedford. Moving to Altoona, Blair County, following their marriage, she mothered quite a family, ten children being born to the union, seven of whom grew to adulthood. Short and stout, she was of a jovial disposition, easy going and patient with her fast growing family.

At the age of 51 years she died after a very brief illness. She died June 18, 1911 and was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, where three of her children had preceded her.

Return to Albert Craig Shaver