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16	Shoffner	History.
promise it was not long before the father, Martin Shofner, and his brother, Peter, together with Martin?s sons? Christopher, Frederick, and Austin?were wending their wav over the rugged mountains toward Tennessee. John remained in North Carolina a few years longer in order to get married and prepare otherwise for spending the rest of his days in the then distant West. He married in 1810; and in 1815 he and his good wife, Amelia, joined the relatives in Bedford County.
The journey across was long and tiresome, being made in covered wagons along bad roads and through forests unbroken, except occasionally by the hut and clearing of some pioneer, the Indian paths, and now and then a wagon road. ]>ut these forefathers were undaunted by such trials, and did not hesitate to make the journey with their families. Then, too, after reaching their destination, houses had to be built and land cleared; but they met these obligations with the determination that always succeeds.
After locating on his farm and getting his family well provided for, John Shofner took an active part in developing the country in every way he could. He was ever ready to assist at logrollings, house raisings, corn huskings, and, in fact, wherever lie could serve his neighbor, he was always there.
Xot only did he thus help in clearing and developing the country, but he was ever ready to serve his State when called upon, as the following, issued March 2'1, 1823, will testify:
?John Shofner: You must attend the following musters?viz.: The Saturday before the first Friday it April, company muster; first Friday in April, battalion