The Shaff Family

According to a 1922 Northwest News obituary, Joseph Shaff "was the oldest businessman in Napoleon, in point of years of continuous work in the community." He was born in 1846 at Nassau, Germany, and came with his parents to this country at the age of seven. They settled in Crawford County, Ohio. When the father died in 1859, the mother and her four children moved to Henry County. In 1882 the mother died.

Joseph Shaff was apprenticed to learn the carriage and wagon business and in 1870 entered into business for himself, as a manufacturer of carriages, wagons, sleds and cutters, and did blacksmithing and repair work. Four years later he built the brick manufacturing block, approximately 40' x 120', at the corner of Monroe and East Washington. He occupied this building until his death in 1922 at the age of 77. In later years, he handled agricultural implements in addition to his regular business.

Mr. Shaff was twice married. His first wife and two children died within a few years. In 1876 he married Catherine Leonhart who died in 1911. Eight children were born to this union. Mary died in infancy. The seven others were: Frank, Charles, George, Emma, Martin, Mrs. Margaret Foster, and Cecelia. The family home was located near the carriage factory, at 216 E. Washington.

Frank Shaff, the eldest child, was born in 1876. He graduated from Napoleon High School in 1896. For a while he worked in a local bank. Then he taught school in the Farison one-room schoolhouse. He walked five miles each way every day.

In 1901 he graduated from the Ohio Northern College of Pharmacy. He entered the employ of Isaiah Leist; then he was with Sauer and Basley. A short time later, he purchased the Isaiah Leist drug store with 011ie Yeager as a partner. After a couple of years, Frank Shaff bought out the Yeager partnership. He conducted this store at 719 N. Perry St., where the Victorian Room now stands, until his death in 1959. In point of time, Frank Shaff was a veteran druggist for 58 years, the longest period for any pharmacist in Napoleon.

At the time of his death, a local newspaper reported that Frank Shaff "had a state-wide reputation as a merchandiser and quickly established himself as one of our soundest businessmen."

Dr. Julian Harrison commented recently, "Physicians in Henry County were aided tremendously in the judicious use of drugs by Frank Shaff, an expert in pharmacology." Mrs. Harrison added, "I often called him Dr. Shaff, as when a doctor was not available, I'd go to him for medical advice."

George Shaff, who was also a pharmacist, aided his brother in the store until his death in 1935. Martin Shaff, the youngest brother, upon graduation from Ohio Northern College of Pharmacy, opened up another drug store on West Washington, where the Watson-Lash Toy Store is today. Martin, who was nine years Frank's junior, was a quiet, unassuming, industrious man. He, like two of his other brothers, was a bachelor. Yet, he loved children and often would slip them free sodas and ice cream. He and George donated all the playground equipment for St. Augustine School in the early days. Two well remembered clerks in Shaff Bros. were Everett Patterson and Mark Naugle. They chalked up many decades of loyal service.

Frank Shaff's store on N. Perry was strictly a pharmacy. Mr. Shaff was known throughout the state for his vast assortment of medicines. Sometimes he would carry one product over a period of thirty years to satisfy one customer. He believed firmly in honesty and his motto was to give "A Square Deal." All of his prescription labels for medicine bore the picture of a square ruler, in addition to his name as pharmacist.

In 1906 Frank Shaff married Elizabeth Keyes, a native of Tiffin, Ohio, who prior to her marriage had taught in the Napoleon South Side school. After a long illness, Mrs. Shaff died in 1936. One child, Mary Frances, was born to them in 1919. At the age of 77, in 1953, Mr. Shaff married Mrs. Viola Westhoven. He died six years later, after fifty-eight years of service as pharmacist and friend to many residents of Henry County.

With the exception of Emma Shaff, all of Frank Shaff's younger brothers and sisters preceded him in death. Charles, who died in 1951, followed in his father's footsteps and kept a repair shop, making wrought railings by hand in later years. He often helped his brother, Frank, on weekends at the drug store. A newspaper account describes Charley as "a fine fellow who enjoyed having kids hang around the shop to spend their leisure time. To him they brought their repair troubles and went home with a happy heart after Charley fixed their broken wagons, bikes, etc., free of charge."

While Emma Shaff stayed home as the keeper of the house, Cecelia also acted as clerk in Frank Shaff's store. Margaret, the middle sister, married Jess Foster, who also clerked for many years in Frank's store. From this union two children, Bill and Mary Kathryn Foster were born. Bill Foster and Joan Deblin Foster have two children, Jeff and Sue. Mary K. Foster Yaney and Jack Yaney, now residents of Tiffin, Ohio, have four children and ten grandchildren.

Submitted by Mary Fran Meekison