Schaffer, George 1857 - 1934

SCHAFFER, SCHAEFER, GERDES, EDEN, BAUMGARTNER, MOSER, FISHER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/28/2021 at 16:46:15

Clayton County Register, Thur., 09 Aug. 1934.

George Schaefer* was born Feb. 12, 1857, at Medels, East Prussia, Germany, one of a family of ten children of Harm and Etta Schaefer. He came to America at the age of 26 years, with three of his brothers and a sister. This was May 14. From New York, where they landed, they went to Jones county near Monticello, where relatives and friends lived.

On Sept. 10, 1890, he was married to Anke Margaret Gerdes, by Rev. C. Mardorf, Sr., pastor of the Lutheran church in Wayne township. This union was blessed with nine children, three dying in infancy. Thirty-seven years ago the family moved into the vicinity of Strawberry Point, first living on rented farms. Mr. Schaefer later bought the place which came to be the homestead until his death.

While things looked prosperous for the future, the death of his faithful companion, the mother of six children, cast a very dark shadow on the happy family life. This was on August 26, 1907. Mr. Schaefer then tried to do the best for his family and the good Lord helped him to succeed in bringing up his children in a Christian way. The gratitude of his children for this was shown by the affection and good care during his illness, to ease his pain and bring him comfort.

The last years he was troubled considerably with his heart and often his condition became alarming. Two weeks ago he suffered a stroke which left him partially paralyzed. From that time on he failed rapidly and it was Monday morning at 12:40 o'clock when he passed away at the age of 77 years, five months and 25 days.

Mr. Schaefer is survived by six children, as follows: Etta, wife of Ed Eden of Arlington; Minnie, wife of Wm. Baumgartner, who resides on a farm north of Strawberry Point; Grace, now Mrs. Carl Eden, of Anamosa; Mary, wife of Ed Moser, living on a farm west of Strawberry Point; Harm, the only son, who stayed with the father; and Tillie, wife of Frank Fisher, of Edgewood; also 14 grandchildren and one brother, Dirk Schaefer, who lives near Monticello.

Mr. Schaefer was a good father to his children, a good friend and neighbor, respected because of his fairness and honesty in his dealings. He was also very industrious, attending to his work in the best possible way, even in his old age up to his last illness. He was a member of Emanuel Lutheran church since he came here. His illness in the later years often prevented him from attending the services regularly. However, he was very thankful for the services rendered him by his pastor, and it was by his special request that he received holy communion and thus again renewed and strengthened himself in the belief i his Redeemer. May he rest in peace.

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*Note: surname is spelled Schaffer on his gravestone in the Strawberry Point cemetery.