Selected Families and Individuals

Notes


Celia

According to the US census, Celia Shafer had given birth to five children, all of whom were alive in 1910. Celia's parents were natives of Ohio.

In 1920, divorcee Celia Shafer (43) rented a home in Zanesville, Ohio where she lived with her twin daughters Edith and Elsie (21) and son Grandville (15). Only Granville attended school. Both Elsie and Edith worked for the telephone company.

The following note appeared on page 22 of The Zanesville Times Recorder on 23 Apr 1948:
MRS. NICOLS HONORED ON 72ND BIRTHDAY
Mrs. David Nichols of 944 Elm street was honored
Saturday evening when 38 friends and neighbors called in
celebration of her 72nd birthday.
Mrs. Nichols, who is known to many as Aunt Celia,
also received gifts and greetings from twenty persons who
were not present.

From page 1 of The Zanesville Times Recorder, 18 Apr 1966:
WOMAN MARKS 90TH BIRTHDAY BY TEACHING
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Mrs. Celia Nichols of 510 Spangler drive observed
her 90th birthday Sunday by teaching a primary Sunday School
class at the Pentecostal Church of Christ on Jefferson street.
It’s something she has been doing for nearly 42 years. Born in
Zanesville April 17, 1876, Mrs. Nichols is probably one of the
oldest active Sunday School teachers in the area.
“Aunt Celia,” as she is affectionately known, says she
plans to continue teaching children 1 to 10 as long as she is physi-
cally able to do so. She was given gifts and a birthday cake by
members of her class and was later honored at a family birthday
party.
“Aunt Celia” wasn’t alone in observing her birthday Sun-
day. Timmy Hopper, 9, son of Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Hopper of
Vine street and Rick Lavy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Lavy of
Howard street, also were born on April 17. Timmy is in her class
and Ricky is a former member.
Mrs. Nichols is in good health although she admits she
gets “a bit if a heart flutter” when she gets excited. She reads the
Bible daily. “I put complete trust in the Lord, and He takes it from
there.” she said.
Oldest member in the local Pentecostal Church of Christ
and also called “mother of the church,” Aunt Celia started with her
Sunday School Class in her home which was then on Elm street in
June 1924. At that time, there were nine children in the class.
Then the church got a building on North Third street and
her group was moved into it. Now she teaches the youngsters in
the church on Jefferson street. Aunt Celia estimated that she has
had some 400 to 500 altogether “under her wing.”
She lives with a son, Willis Shafer, and has another son,
Granville Shafer of 542 Merrick avenue.


Edith Shafer

Edith Shafer is not listed as a surviving child in her father's 1950 obituary.


Willis A. Shafer

Willis Shafer has not been found in the 1920 census. He did not live with either his mother or his father.

Willis was a married resident of Zanesville Ohio at the time of his death.


Leslie Ann Brown

Obituary:
Leslie Ann Brown, day-old infant daughter of Rex
and Davena Shafer Brown Jr., of 2135 Linden avenue died at
11:10 p.m. Thursday (April 3) at Good Samaritan hospital
where she was born.
Surviving in addition to the parents are a brother,
Christopher; the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Willis
Shafer of 1322 Stanberry avenue, maternal great-grandmother,
Mrs. Celia Nichols of the Stanberry avenue address, and the
paternal great-grandmother, Mrs. Piney Bell Murphy of High-
land road.
The body was taken to the Putnam Chapel of Bolin
Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. today
in Greenwood Cemetery with Rev. James Mason officiating.