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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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Tobias
Shaffer An
enumeration of those men of a past generation in Jasper County who won honor and
public recognition for themselves and at the same time honored the locality to
which they belonged, would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of
the late Tobias Shaffer, one of the prominent and substantial citizens of
Newton, who, through all life's vicissitudes, sustained a very enviable
reputation in all circles, and left behind him the greatest of all inheritances,
a good name, something to be desired, according to Holy Writ, much more than
silver and fine gold. Mr.
Shaffer was born May 24, 1839, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, the son of
Philip and Rebecca Shaffer, of that county, where they spent their lives engaged
in farming pursuits, and there the subject grew to maturity, assisting with the
general work about the place and attending the public schools during the winter
months, remaining with his parents until he was married to Amanda Ressler,
August 22, 1862. She was born May 29,
1842, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of William and
Elenor Ressler, of that county, where they spent their lives engaged in farming.
our
days after his marriage Tobias Shaffer proved his patriotism and his loyalty to
the flag by enlisting on August 26, 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and
Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and he remained in the army
nearly three years, proving to be a very gallant soldier. He was wounded at the
battle of Fisher's Hill, September 22, 1864, having been shot through the left
knee. Later he was taken to a
hospital at Philadelphia, where his limb was amputated.
After he recovered he returned to his wife at the old home in Bedford
County, Pennsylvania, and there they remained until 1871, when they came to
Jasper County, Iowa, and located on a farm near Wittemberg.
Remaining there three and one-half years, they moved to Newton and
purchased a home. Mrs. Shaffer resides at No. 208 East North Street.
He retired from active life, after accumulating a competency. Two
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer, Joe W., born December 31, 1866, in
Bedford county, Pennsylvania, married Edith Stine, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and
one child was born to them who died in infancy. The death of Joe W. Shaffer occurred in St. Louis, August 10,
1904. Alberta May Shaffer was born
in Jasper County, Iowa, August 6, 1873. She married Andrew Stewart and they live
at Rockwell City, Iowa, where he is an extensive farmer and cattle dealer.
They have three children, namely: Eugene,
Ruth and Donald, who are all attending school at Rockwell City. Tobias
Shaffer was a member of the Lutheran church.
Mrs. Shaffer Belongs to the Christian church.
Mr. Shaffer was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic at
Newton, Iowa. In political affairs
he was a Democrat, but later in life became a stanch Republican, remaining so
until his death. Owing to his being disabled in the army his government
remembered him with a pension of fifty-seven dollars per month as long as he
lived, and his widow now receives twelve dollars per month.
Her beautiful and well furnished home in Newton is often the gathering
place for her many warm friends. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 499. |
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