Shaffer, Tobias

SHAFFER, RESSLER, STINE, STEWART

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/21/2009 at 07:25:42

Shaffer, Tobias

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.

Four 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. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 499.