I, David Shaver, was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, on the 2nd.of May, 1804. My father, Peter Shaver, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Being familiar with the German language, written or otherwise, the post assigned him in the American service was the interpretation of German documents, papers and language in the division of the army to which he belonged. After his return from the army he was married to Miss C. Piper, of Franklin County, Pa., and settled in Huntingdon County. In this locality he was engaged in farming and several branches of manufacture.

I was away from home, at school, intending to secure a thorough education, at the time of his death, The executors of his will did not feel themselves authorized to furnish the means by which I could prosecute my studying – my most ardent hopes were spoiled. I then engaged myself to learn a mechanical branch – cabinet making, reserving to myself sufficient time to improve my mind at school and by a course of methodical study and reading, which I pursued about six years, when the church with which I was connected, thought proper to propose me as a candidate for the ministry of the Word. The application for ministerial authority to preach was made in the church to the conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the city of Baltimore, in the Spring of 1827, under which authority I pursued the vocation of a Minister of religion in the counties of Northumberland, Columbia, Luzern, Center, Lycoming, Huntingdon, Bedford, Franklin and Perry in Pennsylvania, and in the city of Baltimore and the counties of Washington and Allegheny, in Maryland.

In 1840, from several circumstances, I thought advisable to retire from the ministerial labor and responsibility in the church. I asked and obtained permission to be local in my pastor relation with
the church. In 1841 I settled in Perry county and in June 23, 1842 I was married to Miss N. E. Linn. I have employed most of my time in agricultural pursuits. In I848 the Hon. S. Heburn, of the ninth Judicial district, Penna., with his associates, appointed me a Revenue Commissioner, to meet gentlemen from each Judicial district in the State, to meet in the State Capitol, to equalize the valuation of taxable property throughout the Commonwealth.

In 1853 the people of Perry county elected me as their representative in the State Legislature, in which several relations, I have endeavored to act honorably, honestly and industriously and with fidelity – I cannot say with ability. In the 1egislature, in 1853, as Chairman of the committee on "Vice and Immorality" I reported a prohibitory liquor law bill and supported it and will support it, believing it to be constitutional, patriotic, humane, benevolent and necessary.

Signed
David Shaver