David Shanks is descended from Thomas Shanks, who was living in Washington Township, York County, Pennsylvania by 1763 when he first appears on a land warrant there. The genealogy then deals with the descendants of David and Hannah Morrison Shanks of Amsterdam, Botetourt County, Virginia, the second son of said Thomas.
Henry Davault, originally from France, emigrated with his German wife, Catharine Maria Grover, to America around 1764. They settled in Pennsylvania and raised a large family of ten children. Davault served under General Washington during the Revolutionary War and lived to 85, while Catharine reached 97. Their descendants spread across various states, with many establishing families in Tennessee. Notable among their children were Philip, who had multiple descendants, and Frederick, who contributed land for Danville, Tennessee. Henry Davault passed away in 1872.
Thomas Foote, born in Cockeysville, Maryland, in 1865, recounts his family’s legacy. His mother, Eliza, a free woman of color, gained recognition as a healer and midwife among both whites and Blacks, despite being accused of Voodooism. After being imprisoned for helping an escaped slave, she left Baltimore County, only to return in 1865. The Foote family has since remained prominent in the area, with Thomas continuing the tradition of community involvement and belonging to various local organizations.
William Gardner Smyser, born in Gettysburg in 1845, is a retired railroad engineer with a rich family history, tracing his lineage back to early German immigrants in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, George Smyser, was a banker and War of 1812 veteran, while his father, Daniel M. Smyser, was a notable lawyer and state legislator. After studying civil engineering, William worked on significant rail projects, including the Kansas Pacific Railroad. He later joined the Santa Fe Company, retiring in 1908. A devoted member of the Episcopal Church, he resides in Topeka, Kansas.
Colonel Orpheus S. Woodward, born in 1835 in Pennsylvania, has had a distinguished life marked by service and leadership. Initially a teacher, he enlisted in the Civil War, serving in key battles and attaining an honorable discharge after being wounded. Post-war, he held legislative positions in Pennsylvania before moving to Kansas, where he engaged in ranching and business in Neosho Falls. Woodward was active in local governance, the Masonic lodge, and military organizations. He married Marietta Himrod and raised three children, leaving a legacy of community impact and personal achievement.
Colonel Granville O. Haller was born on January 31, 1819, in York, Pennsylvania. Following a military career that began at West Point, he served in significant engagements, including the Florida War and the Mexican-American War, earning promotions due to his bravery. He later commanded forces during various Indian conflicts in the Pacific Northwest. Despite facing dismissal in 1863 for alleged disloyalty, he was later rehabilitated and achieved the rank of colonel before retiring in 1882. Haller subsequently contributed to local development in Washington Territory.
Daniel Gross arrived in Abilene, Kansas in 1874, where he initially worked as a clerk. He later moved to Bunker Hill and co-founded the firm Eyler Gross, launching their general merchandise business on July 21, 1879, with an inventory valued at approximately $12,000. Born in York County, Pennsylvania in 1857, Gross received his education there and married Katie Gardner from Ohio in 1879.
George W. Smyser, born in 1832 in York County, Pennsylvania, was a businessman and public servant. He initially farmed after establishing a homestead near Dorrance in 1871 and later served as County Treasurer. Smyser’s career included stints in the hardware trade and further farming before entering business in Bunker Hill. A veteran of the Civil War, he served in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was married to Mary Hunes, with whom he had three children, and he was involved in local fraternal organizations.