This information has been derived through correspondence from William F. Shriver, with genealogical data by his son, Frank L. Shriver, of Pittsfield, Pike Co., Ill., 1891-92.

Peter Shriver, as it appears, was a descendant of Ludwig Shriver, brother of Andrew, of Conewago, Pa. He was born March 5, 1766. His father when Peter was a child, moved to Berkeley County, Va., settling upon a plantation near the Potomac river, becoming at the time quite prosperous.

Wm. F. Shriver, son of Peter, was told by his father that two brothers, emigrants from Germany, settled in Pennsylvania near the line of that State and Maryland, and that one of these brothers was their ancestor. A tradition also was current in the family that Peter Shriver's grand-father resided near York, Penna., and that he had attained the age of a hundred years. This seems to warrant the conclusion that Peter Shriver's father was a son of Ludwig Shriver, the brother of Andrew Shriver, Senior, of Conewago.

Peter Shriver had two sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret. He was the youngest child and only son. He was married to Rebecca Faris of Virginia, and shortly afterward they moved to Flemingsburg, Ky., where they resided about twenty years, removing thence to Ohio. There were nine children by this marriage. At the death of his wife -- 1811 -- he was married 1812, to Martha, daughter of Arthur Chenoweth, Esq., of Piketon, Ohio. By this marriage   [162]   eight children were added to the family. Mrs. Rebecca Robe, of the first family was still living 1891, at Winchester, Ohio. William F. Shriver, of Pittsfield, Ill., to whom we owe this information, is the oldest living member, at date, of the second family. He was born March 14, 1814, and was married October 13, 1842 to Eliza E. Larkin, of Ohio. He moved subsequently to Pittsfield, Ill., where he is still, in association with his son, Frank L. Shriver, engaged in business. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church over sixty years. His father, Peter Shriver, was also a pious and influential member of said church. He is described as having been a genial man, of fine personal appearance, always having enjoyed robust health. He died at Winchester, Ohio, in the 84th year of his age.

John Faris, a brother-in-law of Peter Shriver, also resided at Flemingsburg, Ky. Peter Akers, an eminent Methodist Clergyman, married a daughter of Faris. On one occasion Akers had among his hearers Abraham Lincoln, then a rising citizen of Illinois. Agitation on the subject of slavery was rife, and elicited earnest attention of pulpit and press. The sermon taking its cue from the times, made a deep impression on Lincoln, who referred to it as prophetical of troublous times for the country and of his own participation therein.

Peter Shriver and preacher Akers were as David and Jonathan through life, bosom friends.

This brief narrative is given place in the Shriver family history in the hope that it may be of interest, supplying, if our data be correct, a "missing link," in the history of the Conewago Family of emigrants, as pertaining to the descendants of Ludwig Shriver, thus embracing the several branches whose lineages and histories concentre in a common stock, antedating the Revolution and subsequent Independence of our country.

In addition to the above historical data the following information given by the "Pike County, (Illinois) Banner," issue October 23, 1891, tends to confirm the opinion entertained concerning the identity of the Illinois and Conewago families as touching their growth, their notable longevity, etc.

[163]

George A. Shriver and wife celebrated their "golden wedding" at their home, the "Ross Mansion," near Pittsfield, Oct. 21, 1891. Their nine children were all living at date, and all present except their son James, residing in California. Of their twenty-five grand children all, except three, were present, a great grand-child also graced the occasion. In the fifty years of their married life there had not been a death in their family, nor in the families of their nine married children, a record seldom, if ever, equalled.

Caroline Shriver and husband, the Rev. J. F. McCann, celebrated theirs Sept. 16, 1876; Joseph Shriver and wife celebrated theirs Jan. 11, 1888; Wm. F. Shriver and wife celebrated theirs Oct. 13, 1892.

The following is part of the report in the "Pike County Banner," of the proceedings on the interesting occasion:

"After partaking making of the feat of good things prepared, the courtly old bride-groom in fitting and well chosen words expressed the pleasures. him by the reunion with loved ones and tokens of love and regard from friends and children. after which Frank Shriver read the following letter and congratulatory poem from Rev. S. S. Shriver, of Baltimore, Maryland.

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. F. Shriver,
"Dear Friends: -- I have received your card of invitation to be present at the golden wedding anniversary of your marriage the 13th inst. It would afford me great pleasure to join in the festivities of the notable occasion but this cannot be -- my feeble health and distance interfere. I enclose a congratulatory poem which I have penned as an offering, and which may prove of some little interest. With best wishes for your health and happiness and that of your assembled household, I am

Yours truly,
S. S. SHRIVER."

Congratulatory on the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Fleming Shriver, October 13, 1892.

Baltimore, Md., October 7, 1892.

[164]

PERSONALS.

Wm. F. Shriver, the second son of Peter Shriver, by second marriage, as noted resides at Pittsfield, Pike Co., Ill., where he has for a number of years been engaged in mercantile business. His son Frank L. Shriver succeeds him, also a resident at Pittsfield, Wm. F. Shriver, Jr., is in business at Eureka, Utah Ter.

Joseph M. Shriver, the third son of Peter Shriver, conducted business for forty-five years at Manchester, Ohio. He is now retired from business having invested his accumulated wealth in real estate. J. A. and C. F. Shriver his, sons were engaged in business at Manchester, the former is now retired and the latter practicing medicine at Harris, Mo.

William H. Shriver, another son of J. M. Shriver is retired from business; was Capt. of Company I, O.V.I. in the late Civil War.

Mitchel O. Shriver, his son, is Capt. by Government license, of steamers running on Ohio and Mississippi rivers.

Frank C. Shriver, another of his sons, is Superintendent of Markley's Harness manufactory, Georgetown, Ohio. Horace L. Shriver, another son, is in the Drug business, Wayne, West Va.

George A. Shriver, the fourth son of Peter Shriver, resides near Pittsfield, Ill. His sons Joseph H. and Wm. A. Shriver, reside at Virden, Ill., the former is in Drug business, and the latter practicing medicine.

The above notices are of the second marriage family. Facts of similar import may apply to the children of the first marriage and their descendants; but this may suffice to substantiate the truth, that length of days and prosperity are, in all ages, the heritage of God's people.

It may be proper to state that the knowledge attained of this branch of the family was due to the notice of the press, a copy of the said Banner having incidentally been placed in our hands, which led to correspondence of mutual interest.

BALTIMORE, Nov. 1892. S. S. S.

Genealogical Records
(click on thumbnail to enlarge; use Back button to return)