William L. Shafer
March 24, 1874-Aug. 24, 1957
Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 26, 1957, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
William L. Shafer Dies
William L. Shafer, 83, founder of the United States Chamber of Commerce and secretary for years of the Niles Chamber of Commerce, died at 2 p.m. Saturday in Pawating Hospital, where he had been ill for a week.
Long active in chamber work, Mr. Shafer was secretary during his life on the Roanoke, Va., Elkhart, Ind., [illegible] and Michigan City, Ind., C of C.s. He served in Niles from 1930 to 1937, during the time that the Simplicity Pattern Co. and the [illegible].
In 1910, he was instrumental in founding the United States C. of C. in Grand Rapids, Mich. Before his Chamber of Commerce work, Mr. Shafer was editor of the "World" newspaper in Roanoke, Va. He was most recently employed by Simplicity Pattern Co., working there for 12 years until his retirement in 1954.
He lived at 121 South Third Street with his wife Ida M. Shafer, who survives. Also surviving are a niece, Mrs. Mary Shafer, [illegible], O., and two nephews, Clarence and Chester Shafer, Springfield, O.
Mr. Shafer was born in Covington, O., on March 24, 1874.
Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home, where services are planned at 2 p.m., Tuesday. Mrs. Phyllis Castle, reader of the Niles Christian Science Church, will conduct the services, and Masonic rites will be performed at graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Mr. Shafer was a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons; St. Joseph Valley Chapter No. 2, Royal and Select Masons; Niles Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar; Saladin Temple of Grand Rapids; and the Shrine.