“There was a time when all that was needed to make a barber was
a red, white, and blue pole, a razor, and a pair of scissors. But that was in the days long past, and now the right kind of a barber must not only be well equipped with a full line of tonsorial supplies, but he must have experience and a good knowledge of the technique that his business demands. That is why people have learned to depend on H.C. Peffer when they want the right kind of work done, for they have found that “Pef” can always put it across. Since coming to Shenandoah five years ago, he has found that is a good place to live in, and he is glad to be put down as a booster for his town, even though it may not be his home town.
Mr Peffer is a native of Front Royal. When he first came here in 1922, he opened business in the R. L. Hisey building, but one year later moved into the building which he now occupies. He has added much to its appearance by putting in a glass front, and he has fully equipped it on the interior, making it an up-to-date, clean, and desirable shop for the convenience of his many friends and customers. He has built up a growing business, and has employed expert barbers to assist him in his work. Mr. Peffer was at one time signed up and ready to go into service, but the sudden arrival of the armistice cut short his plans. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, having transferred this membership here from Front Royal.”
The above article appeared in the Shenandoah Magazine on July 22, 1927.
His barber shop was located in the brick building at 111 Pennsylvania Avenue in Shenandoah Va. He owned this building and rented rooms. This building recently been the home to Shenandoah Bakery and Total Health & Juice Bar. It also currently houses several apartments. According to online records at Page County GIS, this building is owned by Elvia Y Reiss. It’s located to the left of the Verbena Lodge No. 42 Independent Order of Odd Fellows building.
Soon after arriving in Shenandoah, Mr. Peffer married Naomi Electra Workman on Jun 1, 1924 in Page County, Virginia. They ended up living at 420 Second Street.
According to the 1940 Census, Mr Peffer worked 71 hours the week prior to the census. In the 1930, 40 & 50 Census, it appears that they had no children. In the 1950 Census, Mr Peffer was listed as being Manager of ABC Store and last week in March he worked 60 hours.
Hubert Crocker Peffer was born February 16, 1899 in Warren County Va. He passed away June 16, 1971 (aged 72).
Naomi Electra Workman Peffer was born December 28, 1898 in Shenandoah Va. She passed away September 19, 1994 (aged 95). She was a sister of Louise Workman Edwards that married Clarence Franklin Edwards. Mr. Edwards served as Mayor of Shenandoah from 1980-1990.
Hubert & Naomi are buried in Coverstone Cemetery in Shenandoah Va.
The Peffers lived at 420 Second Street in Shenandoah. This would have been the house that used to be next to the Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Department. According to online records at Page County GIS, (current as of June 1, 2022) their house was built in 1923 and was owned by Bobby W and Deborah Jean Fox. This house was torn down during the last week in October 2022.
The Shenandoah Planning Commission held a special meeting on November 2, 2022 to Discussion/Vote on Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Co Inc request to consolidate two (2) lots into one (1) lot at 201 Pennsylvania Avenue/420 Second Street identified by tax map 102A3-(1)-E lot 9 and 102A3-(1)-E lot 10.
Put link to Page County GIS https://pagecountygis.com/Account/Logon
This photograph was found in the book Shenandoah A History of Our Town And Its People on page 104. Note the typo in the year he came to Shenandoah, as it should have read 1922.
The R. L. Hisey, Orye’s Barbershop, and Laundromat building is on the left.
The Peffers lived at 420 Second Street in Shenandoah. This image was shown on Page County GIS website.
The Peffer homeplace was torn down sometime around the last week in October 2022.
