My Genealogy Hound

Michael Van Buren Shaver, farmer and merchant, was born in Sullivan County, East Tenn., April 7, 1832. His parents were David and Harriet (May) Shaver. David, Jr., was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., in 1799, where he always resided, and died in 1843. He was a son of David Shaver, Sr., merchant and slave owner, who was born in Buncombe County, N. C., and whose father (Michael’s great grandfather), was killed in the Revolutionary War. The Shavers are of French, German and English descent. Michael’s mother was born in Tennessee, in 1800, and died in Sharp County, Ark., in 1881; her parents were Samuel and Catherine May. Mr. May was born in London, England, and was a physician by profession, and a wealthy citizen. His wife was a Shelby, of one of the old families of the United States. Isaac Shelby, an uncle of Catherine, was governor of Kentucky, and a noted man. Ferdinand M. and our subject are the only children living of a family of eight. M. Van was raised in Tennessee, where he received a common school education. At the age of nineteen years he came to Independence County, Ark. The next year he located in Fulton County, cleared a farm in the woods, and in May, 1866, married Mary Livingston. They have had five children (four of whom are now living): Shelby L., Hattie M., Jimmie (deceased), Emma and Mattie. In 1861 he raised a company of infantry in Fulton County, Seventh Arkansas, of Col. Robert Shaver’s regiment, under Gen. Hardee; was captain of his company one year, when he came home, formed a battalion, was elected major, and served in that capacity during the war. At Augusta, Ark., he was wounded in the left leg, where the bullet still remains. He was also with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri. After the war he returned to Fulton County, of which he was appointed sheriff by Gov. Murphy, and served two years, when he removed to where he now resides. He has a natural stock farm of 350 acres, 125 of which are under cultivation, the same being finely watered by Reed’s Creek. In 1880 he erected a grist mill at a cost of $4,000, and in May, 1882, it was totally destroyed by high water; having no insurance, it was a total loss. In 1866 he opened a general store where he now resides, but retired in 1880 on account of health, and in 1887 resumed business in partnership with his son. He is a Democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan. Mr. Shaver was engaged in a hard fight on Martin’s Creek, and selected the battle ground for the first fight in Fulton County.