The first of the family of whom we have information is Bartholomew Shaver, from Holland, a farmer and early settler of what is now Fulton county, New York. He was soldier of the revolution, serving in the Second Regiment, Tryon county militia, Colon Jacob Klock ("New York in the Revolution"). He evidently died prior to 1790, as the first census taken that year does not contain his name. He married and has numerous descendants yet settled in the Mohawk Valley and in Northern New York.
(II) John, son of Bartholomew Shaver, was born in the town of Ephratah, Fulton county, New York, in 1778, died there March 23, 1860, after an active, well-spent life. He followed the occupation of a farmer with much success and was one of the substantial men of the town. He was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed church, and a Whig in politics. During the war of 1812-14 he served with the rank of major, and was engaged at Sacketts Harbor, where he received a wound. He married, in his native county, February 21, 1802, Catherine Empie, born in Fulton county, where she died March 30, 1869, aged eighty-five years three months twenty-two days. She was a member of the pioneer family of that name who have figured so prominently in the history of Fulton county. She was a member of the church, worshipping with her husband's congregation. Children:
- Daniel, born April 17, 1803, died May 8, 1841; married, May 15, 1825, Mary Best.
- Benjamin (see forward).
- Nancy, born January 5, 1808, died April 8, 1828; married, October, 1826, William Claus.
- Mary, born July 10, 1809, died young.
- Aaron, born September 21, 1814, died July 25, 1856; married, November 5, 1836, Mary Flanders.
- Catherine (Cady), born February 6, 1818; married, October 31, 1839, David Saltsman.
(III) Benjamin, son of John and Catherine (Empie) Shaver, was born in Ephratah, New York, October 5, 1805, died February 19, 1879, aged seventy-three years four months fourteen days. He was reared a farmer, which occupation he successfully followed throughout the active years of his life. He was a man of prominence in his community, where he was highly respected. His religious connection was with the Dutch Reformed church; his political faith, Whig and Republican. He was a public-spirited man, and interested in all that pertained to the welfare of his town and county. He married, in his native county, June 26, 1831, Nancy Klock, born in the town of Palatine, New York, June 11, 1813, died March 27, 1881. She was a member of the old historical family of Klock who made settlement in Fulton county in pioneer days prior to the revolutionary war. She was a woman of many sterling qualities and in full sympathy with her husband in all things. Children:
- Nathan (see forward).
- Stephen, born May 28, 1835, died March 6, 1896; married, October, 1852, Mary Saltsman, of Fulton county, New York, where they lived and died; he was a farmer.
- Albert, born September 20, 1836.
- John, born March 5, 1839: married, February 13, 1867, Magdalene Fox.
- Webster, born February 7, 1841; a battle-scarred veteran of the civil war, being five times wounded; married, October 1, 1867, Loretta A. Houghton; lives on the old homestead, Ephratah, New York.
- Catharine, born February 21, 1843, died September 17, 1870; married, January 6, 1870, George G. Griffin.
- Hiram, born June 14, 1845, died April, 1898; married, May 17, 1875, Julia Wade.
- Reuben, born May 25, 1850; married, February 2, 1871, Celia Ash; resides on a ranch in Westfield, Texas.
- Alpha, born June 25, 1852; married, February 14, 1875, Catharine Smith; resides in Fulton county; is a farmer.
(IV) Nathan, son of Benjamin and Nancy (Klock) Shaver, was born in Ephratah, New York, August 13, 1832, died November 1, 1887, at Cohoes, New York. He was a contractor in early life, later engaging in the dry goods business in Cohoes, and was a director of Manufacturers' Bank of Cohoes for years. He was a capable business man and possessed a character beyond reproach. He was a member and president of the board of trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and an exemplary Christian. He was a member of the board of aldermen, second ward of Cohoes, for some years; was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both lodge and encampment, and a Knight of Pythias. He married Alice J. Howarth, born in Niskayuna, Schenectady county, New York, daughter of Henry Howarth, born in England, came when a boy to Niskayuna, and settled in Cohoes about the year 1840. The Howarth homestead in Cohoes is now occupied by the "Old Ladies' Home," and the parsonage of the Methodist Episcopal church stands upon his old garden patch. He was a contractor and builder, erecting nearly all the buildings known as the "Harmony Mills," tenement houses, private residences and other large buildings in Cohoes. He performed considerable of the heavy mason work in and along the Erie canal; built No. 2 reservoir of city water works, and conducted other large operations. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Shaver:
- Henry Lincoln (see forward).
- John W., born 1867; died 1896; educated at Saratoga Institute; was a fruit and confectionary merchant; married Emma Marsh, now a resident of New York City; left a daughter, Madeleine.
(V) Henry Lincoln, son of Nathan and Alice J. (Howarth) Shaver, was born in Cohoes, New York, March 4, 1861. He was educated in the public school, Mount Anthony Seminary, Bennington Center, Vermont, and Troy Business College. After completing his studies he began his business career as a clerk with Hugh McCusker, a dry goods merchant of Cohoes, with whom he remained two years, after which he was employed with R. Wilcox, of Cohoes, and during his engagement with Mr. Wilcox his father became a member of the firm. At the expiration of two years Mr. Nathan Shaver retired from the firm and established a dry goods business at the corner of Remson and Ontario streets, of which he was proprietor until his death in 1887. Henry L. Shaver went with his father to the new store and remained with him until his death. At the death of his father, Henry L. formed a copartnership with his mother, under the firm name of Shaver & Son, and continued till 1892. He then assumed control of the business, moving to the opposite side of the street, and continuing in that location under the same name until 1896, when the firm became "The Golden Ball Dry Goods and Shoe House," under which name it still continues at 128-130 Remsen street, in the Masonic Building. The firm conducts a modern department store, employing a large force of clerks. Mr. Shaver is known as a most capable and energetic business man, managing well his own great business, and mindful of the interests of those who are subordinate to him. He has been a member of the Cohoes board of water commissioners for sixteen years, eight of which he has been president of the board. He is a Republican, and frequently a delegate to party conventions. He is a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church, served on the official board four years, since 1887 he has been a trustee, succeeding his father, making thirty years of official service, and also served as superintendent of the Sunday school for eight years. He married, March 2, 1881, Estella J. Scott, of Cohoes, daughter of William and Eliza (Veile) [Viele?] Scott, of Cohoes, the former of whom was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died in Cohoes, August, 1891, and the latter born in England, died in Cohoes, 1902. She came to the United States when a girl. Mr. Scott was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife. Child of Mr. and Mrs. Shaver:
- Henry N., born September 20, 1892; educated in the public schools, now a member of the class of 1912, of Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, preparing for entrance to Yale.