BIO: WILLIAM E. SHAPLEY, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson OCRed by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/ _____________________________________________________________ >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 348-349 _____________________________________________________________ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/zeamer/ WILLIAM E. SHAPLEY, M. D., a representative of one of the old and honored families of the Cumberland Valley, and now a prominent business citizen of Shippensburg, was born there, son of Joel and Lacy Hays (Connelly) Shapley. Joel Shapley, at the time of his death, Jan. 27, 1903, was the oldest citizen of Shippensburg. He was born July 16, 1812, at Halifax, Dauphin county, Pa., son of Rufus E. and Lydia Shapley, late of Carlisle. When quite young he removed with his parents, to Carlisle, and there learned the cabinetmaking trade. While still a young man he came to Shippensburg, whither several of his brothers had preceded him, and for a time carried on cabinetmaking on the grounds now occupied by the Presbyterian Church, which grounds he subsequently owned. In 1835 he was married (first) to Margaret Porter, and one daughter of this marriage is still living, Mrs. William Harris, of Creston, Iowa. Mrs. Shapley died in 1839, and he married (second) Lacy Hays Connelly, of near Plainfield, who died some years ago, about 1890. The children of this marriage were: Joseph, deceased; Emma, deceased, wife of Rev. J. W. Feight; William E.; and Charles W., of Carlisle. In young manhood he united with the Methodist Church, and during all his long and busy life he was subject to its teachings and liberal in his support. He generously aided in the erection of three Methodist churches at Shippensburg, and it has been said of him that he was not only a liberal, but a cheerful giver. Although not a man of robust appearance, his orderly life kept his organs and faculties in perfect health, and until the natural infirmities of age fell upon him, he scarcely knew what it was to be ill. Living so long in one community he noted the wonderful changes as the years passed by. In company with the late Captain Mifflin, Dr. W. E. D. Hayes and William Griffin, he rode on the first train that passed over the Cumberland Valley Railroad tracks to Chambersburg. William E. Shapley was educated in the public schools and Williamsport Seminary, at a later date taking a course of lectures at CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 349 the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. He then returned to Shippensburg, and took charge of his father's estate, which consisted of a large amount of property through the city. He has managed the building and rebuilding of many dwellings and stores, much of the property being situated in the best portions of the city. In 1896 Mr. Shapley was married to Julia D. Mifflin, of Shippensburg, daughter of Joseph and Julia (Stewart) Mifflin, a distant relative of Dr. Alexander Stewart. Mrs. Shapley, through her grandfather, is a Daughter of the Revolution. Mr. Shapley is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, whilst his wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church.