Frederick Shafer

Frederick in Hesse Darmstadt, Circa 1846

Frederick Shafer was born with the surname Schäfer in Büdingen, Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany on April 13, 1834. Frederick was baptized on April 20 in the town of Wolf. Frederick's father Andreas is thought to have died in 1836. Records show that Frederick came to the United States with his mother when he was a teenager. Upon arrival to the United States, the family took root in Pennsylvania. In October 1854, Frederick moved with the Arbuthnot family, headed by Thomas Arbuthnot. In 1856 records show that Frederick lived in Salt Creek Township, Tama County, Iowa with the Arbuthnot family as a member of the family of farmers. The Iowa census record shows that he was a farmer, single, and a member of the state militia. On April 25, 1858, at the age of 22, he was married to Anna Maria "Mary" Meisner in Toledo, Tama County, Iowa. Mary was the daughter of Casper Meisner (1812-1879) and Kunigunda C. (1814-1864). Ten months after their marriage, Frederick and Mary became proud parents of their first son, Joseph Henry (1859-1934). Frederick became a naturalized citizen of the United States on September 10, 1860, at the age of 24. Although it is unknown if he voted, Frederick was eligible to vote in the November 1860 Presidential Election, in which Abraham Lincoln was elected and carried the state of Iowa. On January 31, 1861, Frederick and Mary became proud parents of their first daughter, Martha Ann (1861-1957).

United States Naturalization Record, September 10, 1860. Click to Enlarge.

Frederick Shafer

The early 1860s saw major changes in the United States. By the time Martha Ann was born, five states had declared their secession from the Union, and Colorado had become the 34th state just days before her birth. By mid-1861, the American Civil War (at the time known as the War of Rebellion by those in Iowa) had begun, and the Union was calling for volunteers across the country. Frederick had already been a member of the Iowa Militia as early as 1856, and on August 14, 1862, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. On September 15, 1862, Frederick became a member of Company F, Iowa 28th Infantry Regiment. Mary's father, Casper Meisner also joined the war effort by enlisting at the age of 49 years old and became a member of Company C, Iowa 10th Infantry Regiment. Mary's brother, John also enlisted in the U.S. Army, leaving Mary's youngest brother, and one of the best farmers in the county, George Meisner, to stay behind and look over Casper's and Frederick's farm property.

CAMP FORD, TEXAS.—SKETCHED BY G. W. SIMMONS

Harper's Weekly, page 132, March 4, 1865

During the Civil War, Frederick was wounded and taken prisoner, held at Camp Ford near Tyler, Texas. During the course of the war, there were approximately 5,000 prisoners who passed through the camp. The prisoner area of the camp did not include any type of barracks or shelter for the enlisted men who were imprisoned there. To survive, the men built make-shift log houses, sod huts, and even deep holes in the ground with tarps over them to keep out of the rain. The prisoners were provided wood and food rations, and fresh water was provided by a stream that ran through the camp. Even so, life as a prisoner of war (POW) was very difficult.

Frederick Shafer

After the Civil War, Frederick returned to his wife and children in Tama County, Iowa and began farming again. In March of 1866, Frederick and Mary welcomed their second son, John C., followed by another daughter named Esther in 1868. The 1870 U.S. Census stated that the family resided in York Township, Tama County, Iowa in August of that year. The family operated a successful farm and did quite well for themselves. During Frederick's absence during the war, Mary's brother George Meisner had become one of the most successful farmers in Tama County. In 1871, George moved to Buffalo County, Nebraska to homestead the area. Having a brother-in-law connection in the area, Frederick purchased for his son and held title to four hundred and eighty acres in Gardner Township, Buffalo County, Nebraska. On December 23, 1879, Frederick and Mary were proud to attend their eldest daughter's wedding to Charles W. Wallace. To the surprise of many, on December 29, 1880, Frederick and Mary once again became proud parents, with Mary giving birth at the age of 43, to their daughter Roena Christina. Frederick and Mary spend the next 19 years raising their family and running their farm. Sadly on May 29, 1899, Mary passed away at the age of 62 years old.

Iowa burial site of Frederick and his wife.

Frederick, circa 1904.

The 1900 U.S. Census, listed Frederick as a farmer, who owned his farm without a mortgage in Tama County. By 1910, Frederick was retired and listed in the census as living on his "own income." On October 11, 1911, Frederick passed away in Tama County, Iowa, at the age of 75 years old. The remains of the deceased were interred in the West Irving cemetery located in Kane, Benton County, Iowa, alongside his wife. Members of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and the Women’s Relief Corps (WRC) were present at the funeral service. Frederick was remembered as a man who, despite his hardships during the Civil War, was grateful to be an American. Speaking of Frederick, Samuel Clay Bassett wrote in his History of Buffalo County Nebraska and its People, Frederick's "loyalty to his adopted country never wavered."