Philip Schaeffer was born on the homestead June 7, 1770, and followed the occupation of farming. He was also an inventor of ability and invented and manufactured the first threshing machines and horse powers in Berks county. This venture proved so successful that he continued to make these machines throughout the remainder of his life. He was married. Sept. 5, 1797 to Elizabeth Feterolf a daughter of Peter and Susanna (Seitz) Feterolf and a granddaughter of Peter and Anna Maria (Rothermel) Fetherolf (See Fetterolf family.) She was born March 29, 1776, in Longswamp township, at her baptism Jacob Richsfein, and Maria Elisabeth Miller, both single, acted as sponsors.