SHAFER, Michael 1832 - 1907

SHAFER, AUGUSTINE, LYDICK, AUSTIN, CORBIN, GAMBLE, DARST, BEATTY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 3/20/2011 at 22:08:25

Newspaper clipping loaned by Mrs. C. N. AUGUSTINE, Harper, Iowa, a desdencant of the SHAFER family. (Probably from a Tekamah, Nebr. newspaper.)

PASSING OF A PIONEER.

Michael SHAFER, aged 76, Peaceably Passes Away -- Came to Burt County With Five Brothers in the Middle Fifties.

The death of Michael SHAFER marks the passing of the last of the SHAFER brothers, five in number, who were residents here in the fifties. The parents of the SHAFER brothers were pioneers in Knox County, Ohio, and moved to Jefferson County, Iowa, in the early forties when that was a frontier out-post. In 1856 and 1857 five of their sons, Michael, Edmond, Soloman, Eli and Erastus became residents of this county. Soloman did not remain here long, he pushed on to the Pacific Coast and spent the most of his life in Oregon, returning here in broken health in the late eighties for a few years, and then returned to California where he died a few years ago. Eli after spending a number of years in business here passed on to the beyond a few years ago. Edmond and Erastus have been laid to rest on yonder hill within the past year. Now Michael, the last of the five, joins them in that silent city.

They were a remarkable family. Physically they were like the sturdy oak, and mentally they were at the forefront. They were kind but yet combative and courageous, especially adapted to open the way for others to follow. The name of the SHAFER brothers is so closely linked with the early pioneer life in Burt County that it becomes a part of the history of the settlement of Nebraska.

Michael SHAFER was born in Knox County, Ohio, March 22, 1832, and died at his home in this city July 22, 1907, aged 76 years, 4 months and 1 day. The deceased came to Fairfield, Iowa, with his parents in 1841. He was married October 16, 1851, to Miss Julia A. LYDICK who passed away within the last year. To this union four daughters and three sons were born: Mrs. Flora AUSTIN of Clarksdale, Mo., Mrs. George A. CORBIN and Mrs. Randolph GAMBLE of Tekamah, and Mrs. E. J. DARST of Peoria, Ill.; the sons: W.B., of Burwell, Nebraska; Charles E. and Bertram of Tekamah; all of them being present at the bedside during the last sad days to aid and comfort the father whom they loved in the solemn hour of death. Mrs. BEATTY, a sister of the deceased, and the only surviving member of this noted family, was also present. The funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Roush of the Methodist church officiating, assisted by Rev. Poot of the Lutheran. The interment was made in the Tekamah cemetery by the side of his faithful helpmate who had been his loving and constant companion for over 55 years. The gently sympathy of a kind and consoling community is extended to the bereft children in the loss of an affectionate father.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Jefferson County Marriages show that Michael SHAFFER and Julian LYDICK were married on the date listed above.