Shafer, Tobias – 1839-1902

RESSLER, SHAFER, STEWARD

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 10/9/2016 at 13:02:25

Obituary
Mr. Tobias Shafer was born in Redford county, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1839. He was married to Miss Amanda Ressler, of the same county, August 22, 1862. God blessed this union with one son (Mr. Joseph W. Shafer, of Seattle, Washington,) and one daughter, (Mrs. Alberta May Steward, of Newton.) soon after his marriage the deceased enlisted in the army of the Potomac and served his country faithfully on the field of battle for nearly three full years of that dreadful struggle. He was with Sheridan and his brave men, when what gave promise of being a rebel victory, was suddenly turned into a magnificent triumph for the union forces, and the rebels were sent “whirling through Winchester” with the Union cavalry slashing at their feet. Wearied and fatigued by the pursuit, the union forces drew off, when the confederates under Early strongly entrenched themselves at Fisher’s Hill. Here an engagement took place September 21, 1864, resulting in a victory for the union forces, Gen. Early being compelled to retreat further up the valley. It was in this battle the deceased lost his limb. For nearly two-thirds of his entire life he bore about in his body the honorable marks of his service for and loyalty to the union.
He was of quiet, undemonstrative disposition, of good habits, clean in speech, honorable in his relations with mankind, loved and respected by those who knew him. He confessed faith in Jesus Christ and began a Christian life at twenty years of age.
He was taken suddenly with a stroke of paralysis of the brain, on the evening of the 24th, and without regaining consciousness, passed away at 12:45 p.m., February 25, 1902. Among his immediate relatives the widow, two children, and two brothers remain to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and father, and a kind brother.
The family of the deceased ask us to return thanks for the many acts and deeds shown them in their hour of bereavement, by friends and neighbors.
Source: Newton Journal, March 5, 1902, page 2