Jan Szafran was born January 14, 1853 in the environs of Krakow, Galicja (Austrian-held Poland). He completed his studies in Krakow before entering the seminary in Tarnow (also in Galicja). After his ordination on July 30, 1878, he served as vicar to local parishes in that same diocese.

Szafran sailed for the United States in the early part of 1884. Once here, he spent several months as assistant to Ks. Jan Pitass. In August of that year, he was appointed pastor of the young St. Stanislaus Parish (founded in 1872) in Cincinnati, Ohio. During his short tenure there, he was successful in renovating the church building Ks. Szafran died July 20, 1887 at the age of 34; his remains are buried at St. Mary Cemetery in St. Bernard, OH.