Hugh Morris Shafter

66y The first fugitives from slavery came to Kalamazoo county in the spring of 1837, they being a man and his wife who were escaping from Virginia and a young man from Alabama. They came to Mr. Montague's house, tired, hungry and in dread of being captured by their former owners, who were hot on their trail. Mr. Montague took them to a neighbor's house, where a warm meal was hastily prepared for them, and then Mr. Montague drove them to Galesburg and was relieved of his charges by Hugh M. Shafter, the father of General Shafter of the Spanish-American war. p. 68 Compendium of history and biography of Kalamazoo County, Mich., Fisher, 1906 Hugh M. Shafter came to this township from Windham Co., Vt., in May, 1833. He located the west half of the west half and the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 13-200 acres. He built a house and plowed some 40 acres of his land, and went back to Vermont, returning in the fall of 1834 with his young wife. Esquire Shafter has done his part in making this township what it is to-day. His life here embraces the complete history of Comstock from its township organization to the present day. Among the first who engaged in subduing the savage wilderness, he was just as diligent in attendance at township-meetings; there has not been a school-meeting in his district from 1834 to 1879, when he could go, but what he has attended; and he has always had the moral courage to avow his sentiments on all occasions; whether the majority went with him or whether the whole township opposed him, it made no difference. He did what he thought his duty. He has served his township in various offices, and for the last eight years has been one of its magistrates. His wife died in 1864. He comes of a family of vigorous intellect, some of whom have arisen to eminence in public life. Oscar L. Shafter was chief justice of the Supreme Court of California at the time of his death, a few years ago. James Shafter, another brother, is a distinguished lawyer in the same State. Oscar has received $20,000 in gold as a retainer's fee. James, in a " will case," received $30,000 for two days' work in his practice in the Golden State. Esquire Shafter is yet as social and lively in spirit as in his younger days, full of pioneer lore, and an active participant in the practical affairs of the present time. p. 357 History of Kalamazoo County, Durant, 1880

Hugh Shafter, and his wife, besides General Shafter had John and "Jim. " where twins and both living, and Ann Eliza, who is dead. John and "Jim" both enlisted the army and fought through the civil war. John is said to be in the government service in Texas, while James (better known as "Jim" ) lives in Sandwich, Ill, and is or was until recently sheriff of DeKalb county. The daughter Eliza Ann was first married to Captain Job H. Aldrich, who was killed at Nashville, Tenn., Doc. 15, 1864 and afterwards was married to Mr. Decker. She died a few years ago. October 6, 1898 Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph

Hugh M. Shafter, a Kalamazoo county pioneer, and a leading citizen of Galesburg for fifty years, died recently of dropsy. He was of the noted Shafter family of Vermont. Oscar and James M. Shafter, two eminent lawyers so well known in California, were his brothers, Oscar, at his death a few years ago, was Judge of the Supreme court of California. The True Northerner May 12, 1882 page 4

Death of an Old Pioneer. Hugh M. Shelter died of dropsy of the heart, at his home, in Galesburg, Thurs. day evening, aged 66 years. Deemed was one of the best known men in the county, being quite a marked character and having settled in the town of Comstock in 1832. He moved there from Windom county, Vt., and settled on a farm of 200 acres. From that day until his death he took an active part in all the public affairs of his township, and always had a settled conviction of every question that agitated the community, and fearlessly spoke his sentiments with-out fear or favor. He came from an illustrious family. His brother Oscar D. was the chief justice of the supreme court of California at the time of his death a few years since. Another brother, James M. is at the present time a distinguished attorney in the same state and has received $30,000 in fees for two days services in a will case. Col. W.R. Shaker, son of deceased, belongs to the regular army and is at present on the frontier. He leaves two other sons and a daughter, Mrs. Decker, who resides on the old farm where he died. His wife died in 1864. April 29, 1882 Kalamazoo Gazette page 4

Brother Oscar* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 1 2021, 22:50:57 UTC