Orson Raymond Shaffer, son of John Wesley Shaffer and Amanda Josephine Pardun, was born May 25, 1895 in Keokuk County, Iowa. His family lived in Wright County, Iowa briefly and settled in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa near Swaledale. He spent his boyhood days on his father's farm north of Swaledale. It was here that he obtained his education leaving school after completing grammar school and one year of high school.
He farmed with his parents for a time but then in 1916 he bought an implement business in Swaledale and found his vocation as a machinist. He married Geneva Ray, daughter of Judiah A. Ray and Lois Amy Glasgow, on October 5, 1922 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. The couple settled in Story County.
When Geneva (Ray) Shaffer died, Orson remarried to Leota May Huhn, daughter of Daniel Benjamin Huhn and Lucy A. Kallman, on February 2, 1926 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. By 1927 Mr. Shaffer was working for Jack C. Curtis in his business, Curtis Auto Company, whose dealership was known as “Nevada Hudson-Essex.” Mr. Shaffer managed sales and Mr. Curtis managed auto service. This business was located at 1221 Sixth Street in Nevada.
By 1936, Mr. Shaffer established his own business, “Shaffer Auto Company” and by 1940 it was known as “O. R. Shaffer Motor Sales.” This dealership sold Buick and Pontiac automobiles in addition of J. L. Case Implements at 510-512 Lincoln Way in Nevada.
He served as mayor of Nevada for one term from 1947 to 1948. He was on the Story County Draft Board for many years and on the Nevada School Board as well as the Story County Soldier’s Relief Commission. He was active in the American Legion and the 40 and 8.
He died on December 19, 1958 in Nevada, Iowa leaving to survive him his second wife and a son, James R. Shaffer.