Andrew J. Shaffer

ACHESON, COWDEN, MYERS, SHAFFER, WHITE, WRAY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/20/2004 at 22:44:22

The birth of Andrew J. Shaffer, a well known farmer of section 7 Douglas township, occurred in Switzerland county, Indiana, on the 15th of April 1845, and his parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Myers) Shaffer. The father who was born on the 18th of February, 1800, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, removed to Indiana when conditions were those of the frontier and resided upon rented farms until 1855, when he and his family made the trip overland to Madison county, Iowa, being seven weeks on the way. They settled in Madison township eight miles from Winterset, and after living there for about a decade, removed to a farm in Douglas township which the father had purchased Mr. Shaffer died at the home of our subject on the 12th of February, 1891. He suffered to the full extent the privations and hardships of pioneering on the desolate open prairies. His first residence in this county was but a log house with the chink holes stuffed with hay, and the severe winters occasioned much suffering, but he persevered and did his part in the development of the county. His wife was a native of the Hoosier state, born in 1814, and passed away on the 25th of September, 1868.

Andrew J. Shaffer, who is one of a family of ten children, attended the early schools in Indiana and Madison county, Iowa, which were held in log schoolhouses and which were primitive in every respect. The seats were peg stools and the desks were but six inches wide, while the curriculum embraced little beyond the three Rs. As there was a large family and as it was a struggle to make a living, our subject began to work upon his uncle's farm when but nine years of age, and thus partly provided for his own support. He rode one horse and drove the three others hitched to the plow, using a jerk line, and for one month's work received a dollar. He purchased a vest with his money and kept it for many years after he reached manhood. When a boy of twelve or thirteen years he often went with his uncle and other men to hunt deer and turkeys, and at times killed some of the game himself. While still in his teens he hauled provisions from Des Moines and Oskaloosa; he drove hogs on foot to Grinnell at a time when there was not even a railroad in Des Moines; and when seventeen years of age he hauled logs cut from timber land on what is now the Iowa state fair grounds at Des Moines. The logs, which were used to make bridge materials for the railroads that were building into Des Moines, were so heavy that five yoke of oxen were required to haul them. At that time Des Moines was only a small village and few could foresee its rapid growth and development. In 1866 Mr. Shaffer began farming for himself in this county and in 1882 he bought his present farm on section 7, Douglas township. It comprises sixty acres and is in a high state of cultivation, while all of the buildings are kept in. the best of repair. He is practical in his methods and the sale of his crops yields him a gratifying annual income.

On the 10th of March, 1868, the marriage of Mr. Shaffer and Miss Margaret Cowden was solemnized. She was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, May 6, 1848, a daughter of David and Sarah Ann (Acheson) Cowden. The father was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of March, 1817, and the mother on the 5th of November, 1827, in Guernsey county, Ohio. The father's birth occurred just twenty-four days after his parents had emigrated to this country from Scotland. When a young man he began farming in Guernsey county, Ohio, and resided there until 1857, when he and his family came overland to Madison county, Iowa. Conditions were then distinctly pioneer and there were but few settlers. A number of times the lives of his wife and daughter were endangered and there were many privations to be endured. Mr. Cowden became the owner of land in Page county in addition to his holdings in this county, which comprised one hundred acres. General farming and stock-raising claimed his time and he was highly esteemed in his community. He was an active republican and took a good citizen's interest in everything relating to the public welfare. He was one of the charter members and organizers of the First United Presbyterian church in Jackson township and contributed liberally to the support of that organization. He passed away on the 9th of December, 1895, but is survived by his widow, who still resides in Jackson township. To their union were born ten children, of whom the wife of our subject is the eldest. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have been born four children, as follows: Effie Bell was born January 14, 1872, and died January 7, 1895. Bert Dayton, born October 29, 1875, is a farmer in Montana. He married Miss Emily White and they have two children, Ora J., and Mildred L. Clarence M. was born March 27, 1877, and died June 13, 1892. Clyde C., born March 19, 1882, is a successful young- farmer of this county. He married Miss Edith Wray and their children are Hazel M. and Dorothy E.

Mr. Shaffer is loyal in his support of the democratic party, voting for its candidates and measures. He has always been active in the United Presbyterian church and contributed to the building fund of the local church of that denomination, which is situated near Pitzer, in Jackson township. He finds his greatest pleasure in the society of his family and friends, and his fine qualities of character insure him the respect of all who come in contact with him.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”