David Schaeffer, son of Philip, was one of the foremost men of upper Berks County. He was born in Richmond Township, in 1820, and died in 1902, aged 81 years. He was one of the organizers of the Keystone State Normal School, and was an honored trustee from then on until the time of his death. He was a man of progress, and was a firm believer, in education, not only giving his own children the best of opportunities but largely advancing the educational advantage of the whole community. Each of his five sons became men of culture, and four of them are graduates of the Franklin and Marshall College.

David Schaeffer, who tilled the ancestral farm, followed farming all his life. He purchased the farm now owned and conducted by his son, James, in 1849, which he greatly improved. The farm ranks as one of the best in Berks County.

David Schaeffer, because of his excellent judgment, was successful in all his undertakings and acquired a large estate. At the time of his death he owned the property at No. 526 Washington street, Reading; the farm now owned by his son, James, and one of 120 acres situated in Berks township, which is now owned by his son, Nathan C. Schaeffer. He was a member of the Reformed faith and was an official of St. John's Reformed church of Kulztown which he liberally supported. In May, 1848, he married Esther Ann Christ, a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Bieber) Christ. She died in February 1903, (aged 77 years) surviving' her husband by eight months. Their ashes repose on the Union cemetery, at Kutztown.