Page:The Stained Glass Windows of the German Reformed Church in Brunswick, MD.pdf/14

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Edward C. Shafer was born to Martin T. and Mary Catherine (Rice) Shafer on farm near Burkittsville. There was already a 4-year old boy in the family, Thomas (who died 6 years later at the age of 10). When Edward was 15, his mother gave birth to a daughter Julie; both mother and daughter died that same year, leaving Edward with his widowed father.

In 1880, Edward was living with his father, his aunt Henrietta Shafer, and his uncle E. Talbot Shafer on the farm near Burkittsville. Edward’s father re-married in 1883 to Julia A. Hersperger. They had one daughter, Margaret E. Shafer, born in 1884 in Waynesboro, PA.

Edward went on to college, graduating from Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1886. Two years later, he received his Masters degree.

He then moved to Brunswick (newly re-named from Berlin by the B&O Railroad, which had just moved into town), and in 1891, along with E.C. Unger, he founded Brunswick’s first newspaper, the Brunswick Herald. Three years later, he purchased Mr. Unger’s interest and became sole proprietor of the paper, which he would continue to publish for about 20 years. The 1900 Federal Census indicates that he was one of four men boarding with Luther and Mary Poterfield in Brunswick.

In 1909, Edward and Miss Eva S. Nicodemus, who had worked at the newspaper as his compositor for the previous 12 years, boarded a train for Washington D.C., where they were married. The town knew nothing of this until they returned. There were no children from this union. Edward and Eva made their home on First Avenue. (This may have been First Street, which today is Virginia Avenue). His occupation was listed as “Editor, Printing.”

In 1920, they were still living on Bridge Street (today: Virginia Avenue), but his occupation was now listed as “Insurance and Real Estate.” (After about 20 years as editor, he sold the newspaper to devote his time to the real estate and fire insurance business in which he had become involved.)

Edward served three terms as mayor of Brunswick: 1896-1897, 1920-1922, and 1922-1923. He resigned from this last term due to illness, and died shortly thereafter, on 22 May 1924, at the age of 61. He is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, MD. His widow, who died 46 years later (1970), is buried beside him.

As “one of the leading citizens of Brunswick,” Edward also: • was town clerk for 4 years. • was a nominee for the Maryland House of Delegates. • was the chief marshal of the first fire company organized in Brunswick. He was president of the Volunteer Fire Company. • was a member of Loyalty Lodge, Knights of Pythias. • was a member of the Reformed Church and was chairman of the building committee under whose supervision the Reformed Church was erected in 1910. - 12 -