The Shaffer Family of Little Falls
Herkimer County, New York

Contributed by Susanne Wile




The history of this Shaffer family in New York begins about 1832 when Jacob and Catharine Shaffer arrived with Jacob's brother, Adam, at the port of New York. According to several of their children, Jacob and Adam emigrated from Bavaria, Germany, to escape compulsory military service. They were said to have come from a wealthy family. Upon disembarking in New York, Adam and Jacob were separated and never saw one another again.

Eventually Jacob and Catharine made their way to Little Falls. Jacob purchased property on Furnace Street. He also bought land, part of the Hinchman farm, in Little Falls, on September 17, 1849, for $600.

Jacob declared his intention to become a citizen on June 9, 1841. On October 8, 1844, at Herkimer, he renounced his allegiance to the King of Bavaria and became a naturalized citizen. This filing was recorded under the name of Jacob Shaver, as were many of the early records involving this family.

Jacob was born April 17, 1810, in Bavaria, Germany, and died January 24, 1877, in Little Falls. In some records his occupation is noted as laborer and in others he is a farmer. His first wife, Catharine (last name unknown) was born about 1810 in Germany, and died February 6, 1856, in Little Falls. Both are buried in the Church Street Cemetery in Little Falls. After Catharine's death, Jacob was married again to Abigail Knapp who was born December 1, 1818, in New York and died August 26, 1896 in Oneida County, New York. Abigail is buried in the Oriskany Cemetery in Oriskany, Oneida County, New York.

Jacob and Catharine had 13 children:


    GENERATION 2-Child 1 Jacob Shaffer was born March 26, 1833, and died February 25, 1855, at the age of 21 years and 1 month. Jacob is recorded in the 1850 U.S. Census as being a laborer. He is buried in the Church Street Cemetery.


    GENERATION 2-Child 2 Henry J. Shaffer was born September 29, 1834, and died April 29, 1903. His occupation at the age of 16 was laborer. Records after that age show him to be a blacksmith living in Manheim, Herkimer County. Henry married Jane A. Hardendorf of Little Falls.

    Henry and Jane were the parents of 5 children:

        GENERATION 3-a. Ida A. was born 1860 and died in 1861 and is buried in the Church Street Cemetery.

        GENERATION 3-b. Frederick H. was born February, 1863. He was married. His wife is buried in the Church Street Cemetery identified only as "Shaffer, unknown." Her FindA Grave biography states only "Mrs. Fred Shaffer" and indicates she died in 1895, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, at the age of 33. Fred's occupation in the 1900 U.S. Census is teamster. His burial location is unknown.

        GENERATION 3-c. George W. was born about 1865. His occupation was a printer.

        GENERATION 3-d. Morton J. was born November 25, 1868. He married Eva Ballard of Massachusetts in 1900. He became the president and owner of Shaffer Expanding Envelope Company of New York City. He and his wife lived in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. No known children.

        GENERATION 3-e. Clarence Irving was born March 24, 1870. He married Cora Bella Lighthart. They lived in Poughkeepsie, New York. His occupation is variously listed as a general laborer, blacksmith, or button maker/turner. He died August 14, 1950. Both he and his wife are buried in the Church Street Cemetery. No known children.


    GENERATION 2-Child 3 Adam Shaffer was born November 25, 1835 and died in 1888 in Albany, where he had lived for many years. He was 52 years old at the time of his death. Adam had been a palace car conductor on the Central-Hudson Railroad for 30 years at the time of his death. His obituary states that he was one of the oldest conductors in the employ of the railroad. The cause of his death was suicide caused by taking an overdose of laudanum. He had suffered for some time from excruciating pain from lumbago. He married Angeline (last name unknown). He and Angeline are buried in the Church Street Cemetery.

    He and Angeline were the parents of three children:

        GENERATION 3-a. Catherine (Kitty) Amelia Shaffer was born July 1859, in Little Falls, and died October 8, 1942, at the age of 83 years, 5 months, 11 days, in Albany, New York. She married Clarence William Mosher. Catherine and Clarence are both buried in Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, Albany County, New York. Kitty and Clarence were the parents of seven children:

                    GENERATION 4-Clarence W., Henry S., Charles Lester, George Edgar, Adam Laurence, Harold Augustus, and Violet M. Mosher. Violet may have been a granddaughter who was adopted by her grandparents.

        GENERATION 3-b. Cora Belle married (according to Adam's obituary) but her spouse is unknown.

        GENERATION 3-c. Lewis A. was born about 1872 and died December 12, 1906, in Albany, at the age of 34. He is buried in the Church Street Cemetery with Adam and Angeline.


    GENERATION 2-Child 4 Catharine Shaffer was born December 24, 1837, in Little Falls. She died Saturday, October 28, 1854, at the age of 16 years, 10 months, 4 days, of consumption. She is buried in the Church Street Cemetery.


    GENERATION 2 Child-5 Peter Shaffer was born June 29, 1838 in Little Falls and died February 14, 1879, age 39 years, 7 months, 27 days, in Albany of consumption. He was married to Cornelia E. Walker May 29, 1872, in Whitetown, Oneida County, New York. Cornelia died of consumption on October 29, 1881. Both Peter and Cornelia are buried in the Church Street Cemetery. Cornelia was orphaned by the age of 6 and lived with her maternal grandparents, James and Elizabeth Soles/Souls and Aunt Elizabeth.

    Peter enlisted in the Union Army in August, 1861, in Albany at the age of 22. He was a private in Co. B, 44th Regiment, NY Infantry. His records indicate he was wounded at Bull Run and Bethesda Church, Virginia, was wounded/captured on July 2, 1864 at Gettysburg, and was a prisoner at Richmond. He mustered out with his company in Albany on October 11, 1864.

    Although Peter 's occupation prior to the war was a farmer, after the war he worked in Albany for the Central Railroad for 13 years, 7 of them as an engineer. He was unable to work due to ill health for 2.5 years prior to his death. A delegation from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers served as pall bearers at his funeral. After his death, Cornelia received an insurance payment from the Locomotive Engineers' Mutual Life Insurance Association. The 1880 U.S. Census finds her again living with her Aunt Elizabeth Souls/Soles Ellinwood and her family in Oneida County.

    Peter and Cornelia were the parents of one child, Agnes Belle Shaffer:

        GENERATION 3-Agnes Belle Shaffer was born in Utica on September 14, 1874. She was orphaned at the age of 7. In 1904, at the age of 30 she married Allen Crocker Arey Jr. in Bedford, Massachusetts. She died in Trenton, NJ, in 1947, and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Trenton.

        Agnes and Allen had one son:

                    GENERATION 4- Wilmot C. Arey, who was born May 15, 1906, in Worcester, MA, and died February 8, 1991, in Pinella Co., FL. No known survivors.


    GENERATION 2-Child 6 Mary E. Shaffer was born in Little Falls on July 22, 1841. After her mother died in 1856, Mary took on the responsibility of raising her siblings and running the household. After her father remarried, Mary did not get along with her new step-mother and left the house for employment elsewhere.

    Mary was married to Albert Ferdinand Smith on November 18, 1858, by the pastor of the Baptist Church in Little Falls. They had 2 sons before Albert was killed in the Civil War. After Albert's death in 1864, Mary received a small widow's pension and also worked in a textile mill in Little Falls to support her family.

    On September 17, 1872, she married Utley Marshall, also of Little Falls. She met him at the mill where she was working. In 1874, Mary, her children, and Utley moved to San Francisco, CA where Utley was connected with one of the first woolen mills on the Pacific Coast at Blackpoint, San Francisco, CA. In 1874, they returned to the East, settling in Chester, Delaware Co., PA. The entire family worked either in cotton or woolen mills in Chester. In November 1882, Utley died. His body was shipped to Little Falls for burial. Mary continued to live in Delaware County, PA, and supported herself by doing contract sewing work for the War Department.

    She was married for a third time in Philadelphia, PA, on September 25, 1890, to Edward Miles. She divorced him in 1909. She had no other children. Mary passed away September 2, 1917 in Philadelphia, PA.

    Mary and Albert were the parents of two sons:

        GENERATION 3-a. Edward E. Smith was born March 17, 1861 in Little Falls, Herkimer Co., NY. He married Elizabeth "Lizzie" M. DeHaven in Delaware Co, PA, on May 8, 1881. Edward and his family later moved to Haddonfield, NJ. His occupation was listed as loom fixer. He died August 24, 1926, in Philadelphia , PA. Edward, his wife, 4 of his children, and his mother, Mary E. Shaffer Miles are buried in Chester Rural Cemetery in Delaware Co., PA.

        Edward and Lizzie had 7 children:

                    GENERATION 4-Albert M. Smith 1882-1903, Cora Bell Smith (Haines )1885-1956, Bessie Smith 1889-1890, Florence Smith 1891-, Fannie Smith 1894-, Edward Smith 1897-1911, and Lucy E. Smith 1900-1900.

        GENERATION 3-b. Albert Henry Smith was born either October 16/28, 1863, in Little Falls/Village of Mohawk Town, German Flatts, Herkimer Co., NY. Albert was also a loom fixer. He severely injured his right hand while fixing a loom and learned to do everything with his left hand. He became the owner and president of Frankford Textile Mills in Frankford, Philadelphia.

        He married Anna Pamela Waddell of Chester on August 13, 1884. They lived in Chester Co., Philadelphia Co., and eventually moved to Andalusia, Bucks Co., PA. Annie died in 1931. Albert died September 25, 1942. Albert, Annie, son Earl, and son Albert H. Jr. are buried in Cumberland Cemetery, Delaware Co., PA.

        Albert and Annie had 6 children:

                    GENERATION 4-Mary Isabel Smith (Cocker) 1885-1963, William "Earl" Smith 1888-1968, Lewis E. Smith 1889-1945, Phoebe Naomi Smith (Deuber) 1897-1985, Anna Smith (Gresley) 1900-2000, and Albert H. Smith Jr. 1901-1902.


    GENERATION 2-Child 7 John Shaffer was born January 27, 1843, in Little Falls. He was married, but the name of his wife is unknown. Family correspondence from his nephew, Morton Shaffer, indicates that John had a son named Fred who lived in New York City as an adult. John is found living with his father's family in 1860. His occupation is a day laborer. Records show it is likely he served in the Union Army. The records are found under the name John Schaffer, originally filed under John/Shaffer.

    John died in Utica on November 3, 1868, at the age of 26 years, 9 months, 6 days. At the time of his death John was employed by the N.Y.C.R.R. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers met November 5, 1868, and adopted several resolutions to honor John. Among them they ordered their hall to be draped in mourning for 30 days, sent his wife and relatives heartfelt sympathy, and thanked the Assistant Superintendent of the N.Y.C.R.R. for placing a car at their disposal to convey them to Little Falls for the interment. Their insurance association promptly sent his widow and heirs $1,500. John is buried in the Church Street Cemetery.

        GENERATION 3-According to correspondence from Jacob, John's half brother, John had a son named Fred who lived in New York City. No other information is known.


    GENERATION 2-Child 8 James A. Shaffer was born April 17, 1845 in Little Falls. He died September 3, 1868 at the age of 23 years, 5 months. He is buried in the Church Street Cemetery.


    GENERATION 2-Child 9 Fanny Shaffer was born February 22, 1847, in Little Falls. She married William "Will" G. Howell on June 10, 1869, in Albany, NY. Will was born about 1838 in Wooster (probably Worcester), MA. Will appears to have held several different occupations: farmer, policeman, machinist, and employment in a sewing machine factory. He also served in the Civil War from July 1961 to August 1862, with the Massachusetts 13th Infantry. During their marriage, he and Fanny lived in Albany, NY, Johnstown, NY, and Bridgeport, CT.

    William died February 23, 1890, at the age of 52 in Bridgeport, CT. Fanny died in 1899, also at the age of 52 in Bridgeport, CT. Both are buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport, CT.

    Fanny and William were the parents of two children:

        GENERATION 3-a. Mary Elizabeth, 1870-1925 is buried in Lakeview Cemetery Bridgeport, CT. She did not marry.

        GENERATION 3-b. William Goodell Howe was born November 27, 1881 in Connecticut. He died in 1924 of a lingering illness at the age of 43 in Southport, Connecticut. William was a teller at Connecticut National Bank of Bridgeport.

        William was married to Theresa Richeimer on March 1, 1911, in West Chester or Port Chester, NY, by a Justice of the Peace. William is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in the same plot as his parents and sister. Theresa was cremated upon her death in 1967.

        He and Theresa had one daughter:

                    GENERATION 4- Muriel E. Howe, born about 1912 in Connecticut. Muriel was the owner of a dance school in Bridgeport, CT.


    GENERATION 2-Child 10 Newbery (Newbury) Shaffer was born October 17, 1852 in Little Falls and died May 5, 1852 in Little Falls at the age of 3 years, 2 months, 13 days. He is buried in the Church Street Cemetery.


    GENERATION 2-Child 11 Caroline "Carrie" Shaffer was born August 22, 1850 (family Bible) or 1852 (death certificate) in Little Falls. Carrie emigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1869. She married Robert Colvin Williamson who was born 1846 in Upper Canada (Ontario) and died in 1933 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Robert's occupation was a machinist. Both Caroline and Robert Williamson are buried in Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto, Canada.

    Carrie and Rob had two children:

        GENERATION 3-a. Frank Robert Williamson was born May 26, 1872, in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada. He was instantly killed in an automobile accident in Toronto in 1938. Frank married Lillia Maude Borgia, 1883-1966, on October 26, 1904 in Cornwall, County of Stormont, Ontario.

        Frank and Lillie had 7 children:

                    GENERATION 4-Norah Isobel Williamson 1905-1928, Norman Colvin Williamson 1907-1925, Robert Colvin Williamson 1910-1990, George Francis Williamson 1916-1924, Mary Williamson, Margaret Williamson, an unnamed daughter who died July 17, 1917. Frank, Lillie and some of their children are buried in Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto.

        GENERATION 3-b. Hattie Caroline Williamson was born December 31, 1873, in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario. Hattie, age 34, married Francis (Frank) George McLean, age 29, on June 24, 1908, in Toronto, York, Ontario. Francis was born June 2, 1879, in Kendall, Durham, Ontario, and died in 1946. Hattie died in 1947. Both are buried in Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto.

        Hattie and Francis had one known child:

                    GENERATION 4-Caroline Ruth McLean was born in 1917. Marriage/burial location unknown.


    GENERATION 2-Child 12 Eliza Shaffer was born October 17, 1852, and died April 6, 1855, at the age of 3 years, 6 months. She is buried in the Church Street Cemetery.


    GENERATION 2-Child 13 William I. Shaffer was born March 19, 1855 in Little Falls. At the age of 15 William was apprenticed to a carpenter. His death certificate also gives his occupation as engineer. He married Jennie, last name unknown.

     At some point after the deaths of Jennie and a son, William H. Shaffer, William became ill. He and his daughter went to Toronto to live with his sister, Caroline Williamson, and her family. Surviving letters indicate he lived there at least from July 1885 until his death at the age of 31 on August 23, 1886. The cause of his death was phthisis (consumption). His body was brought back to Little Falls for burial. In William's last surviving letter he asked his sister, Mary E. Shaffer Marshall, to take his little Carrie to Jennie's sister, Ida (last name unknown). William, Jennie, and an unnamed daughter are buried in the Church Street Cemetery.

     William and Jennie had at least 2 children:

        GENERATION 3-a. William H. Shaffer whose obituary stated he died in Little Falls on November 3 (no year given, but prior to 1885) at the age of 3 years, 3 months, 2 days. No reference is made to the cemetery, and the Church Street Cemetery has no record of his burial.

        GENERATION 3-b. Caroline (possibly Emma Caroline) Shaffer, born prior to 1885. No indication what happened to her after she went to live with Ida.

        There may also be an additional daughter buried in the Church Street Cemetery listed as unknown daughter of William Shaffer, or perhaps Caroline died and was buried in the cemetery.




     Jacob Shaffer and his second wife Abigail Knapp Shaffer had 3 children:


     GENERATION 2-Child 14 Charles Shaffer was born in 1858 in Little Falls and died June 25, 1922, in Syracuse, New York. He married Phoebe E. (last name unknown), who was born in Wales in June 3, 1860, and died April18, 1949, in Syracuse. Charles' occupation was a molder. No children. Both are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse.


     GENERATION 2-Child 15 Frank Shaffer was born October 1861. He married Jennie M. (last name unknown), born in 1864. They were the parents of two children: Marie Shaffer Corbett born in February 1893, and Blanche A. Shaffer Virginia born in October 1896. Frank and his family lived in Syracuse, New York. His occupation is listed as iron molder and later as foreman in a steel factory. No burial information is known. Some records have his name spelled as Schaffer.


     GENERATION 2-Child 16 Jacob Shaffer (known to the family as Young Jake to distinguish him from his older half-brother, Jake), was born November 24, 1863, in Oriskany, Oneida Co., NY, and died May 4, 1951, in Syracuse. He married Eva Louise (last name unknown) about 1892. Eva was born in December 1859, in Manlius, Onondaga Co., and died August 7, 1929, in Syracuse, New York. Jacob and Eva are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse, near his brother Charles. The 1900 U.S. Census shows a Herbert M. Shaffer as Jacob's son with a birth date of December 1878. No further information about Herbert is known.




This record of the family of Jacob and Catharine Shaffer of Little Falls was contributed by Susanne Wile. If you're also a descendant, or have any information to share with her, Susanne would love to hear from you!



Articles about the Shaffer Family


Regarding John Shaffer, son of Jacob and Catharine Shaffer:

Source: The Locomotive Engineers' Monthly Journal, Vol. 3, No. 1, January 1869, page 39.

Obituary

Died- At Utica, New York, Brother John Shaffer.

At a special meeting of Division No. 14, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, held in their Hall, Utica, Nov, 5th, 1868, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, It has pleased God, The Grand Chief Engineer of the Universe, to remove by death our beloved brother, John Shaffer, and again impress upon us the stern lesson of the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, be it, therefore

RESOLVED, That in the death of Brother Shaffer, Division No. 14 has lost a beloved and respected member, one who will not be soon forgotten by his associates.

RESOLVED, That in performing the last duties to our Brother, we will take it as a lesson for us to prepare for the great change, when all the pleasures of this world should cease to delight us, and to indellibly impress on our memory the importance of being prepared to meet this great transfer of life for immortality.

RESOLVED, That we sympathize with the wife and relatives of our deceased Brother in their bereavement, and we tender them our heartfelt sympathy.

RESOLVED, That the thanks of this division are again due, and are hereby tendered, to Gen. Z. C. Priest, Assistant Superintendent of the N. Y. C. R. R., for his kindness in placing at our disposal a car to convey us to Little Falls, the place of interment.

RESOLVED, That our Hall be draped in mourning for thirty days, in memory of the deceased.

RESOLVED, That these resolutions be printed in the Utica and Little Falls papers, and a copy (with the seal of Division attached,) be sent to the family of the deceased.

J. D. Moshier,
M. Richard, }Committee
J. Carroll

Source: The Locomotive Engineers' Monthly Journal, Vol. 3, No. 6, June 1869, page 278.

Utica, N.Y., April 27, 1869

EDITOR'S JOURNAL- I wish to acknowledge through the columns of the JOURNAL, the dispatch and business-like manner in which the amount of insurance on Brother Shaffer's life was paid to his widow. But a short time, comparatively, had elapsed, after the death of this Brother, when his heirs were the recipients, by the hands of Brother P. McArthur, of Division No. 46, of $1,500, from the Locomotive Engineers' Insurance Association.

I doubt if any other company in existence would have been more prompt, and I trust that, at the next annual convention our delegates, after seeing, from practice and experience, the simplicity of this method of insurance, will not hesitate a moment to engraft it in our Constitution, and by having the benefit of the large experience of our grand officers to look after all the details, it will prove a boon to the widow and fatherless, as far as consolation can go.

        Yours fraternally,

            M. J. CARROLL, F. A. E.,

                Div. No. 14, B. of L. E.




Regarding Jacob Shaffer:

"Whether this references Jacob Shaffer Sr. or Jr. is unknown. Jacob Jr. died at the age of 21 in 1855. Jacob Sr. lived until he was 67. In the 1870 U.S. Census he was listed as having no occupation."

Source: Newspaper, date unknown.

On Friday evening Mr. Jacob Shaffer, of this village, was struck by the engine of a freight train and severely injured. With a number of laborers he was returning from work on the road and was walking on track No.3, and was just stepping upon the other track when the engine hit him, throwing him about fifteen feet, and badly bruising his hip and thigh and it is feared, injuring him internally. No bones were broken.



Obituary of William Shaffer, who died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Aug. 23, 1886 and was buried in Church Street Cemetery. Newspaper unknown.

SHAFFER--At the residence of his
brother-in-law R.C. Williamson, 537
Queen-st West, on August 23, WILLIAM
SHAFFER, late of Little Falls, New York in
the 31st year of his age.
Services at the house at 10:30 Tuesday.
Interment at Little Falls, N.Y.



Death notice for Willie H. Shaffer, son of Willie and Jennie Shaffer. Date unknown, newspaper unknown.

In Little Falls, Nov. 3, Willie H. son of William and Jennie Shaffer, aged 3 years, 3 months, and 2 days.



Adam Shaffer, the son of Jacob and Catharine Shaffer, died at his home in Albany in 1888 and is buried in Church Street Cemetery. Newspaper unknown, but it likely was an Albany NY newspaper. The article provides several clues, as the corner of Clinton Avenue and Lark Street is in the city of Albany, and many news articles of the day mentioned Coroner Michael H. Murray. Dr. Fowler was Dr. Amos Fowler, whose office and residence at 29 Second St. were close to Adam's home. A later article in The Albany Journal states that Adam's demise was previously described in the paper.

DESPONDENCY AND DEATH

______________

Adam Shaffer, One of the Oldest Conductors in the Employ of the Central-Hudson Railroad, Takes His Life on Account of Poor Health

______________

Shortly after midnight this morning it was reported at police headquarters that Adam Shaffer, of No. 130 First street, had committed suicide by taking poison. An Express reporter immediately started to investigate and after an hour's hard work succeeded in getting at the facts. Strenuous efforts were made at first by the family and friends of the deceased to keep the matter quiet.

Mr. Shaffer, who was between fifty-two and fifty-three years of age, had for some time past been suffering from lumbago, which manifested itself at times by excruciating pains. Dr. Fowler attended him, and paid him a visit yesterday morning. Mr. Shaffer at that time asked if he could not get up and go out, but the doctor advised him to remain in the house.

Not withstanding the physician's advice Mr. Shaffer arose and left his residence about seven o'clock last evening, ostensibly for the purpose of collecting a bill. Instead he went to Smith's drug store, at the Corner of Clinton avenue and Lark street where he procured a quantity of laudanum under the pretext that he wanted to use it for making liniment. The excuse was plausible, as he had been taking liniment of which laudanum was an ingredient, to ease the pain in his back.

From the drug store he went across the street, entered a saloon and called for a glass of gin. Into this he emptied the laudanum, and swallowed the mixture. Some one who had noticed his actions, picked up the empty bottle, saw that it was labeled "laudanum" and realized that Mr. Shaffer had taken poison, evidently with suicidal intent. The victim of his own rashness was taken back to the drug store and an emetic administered, after which he was conveyed to his home.

Dr. Fowler was called, and when he arrived the emetic began to take effect and a considerable portion of the poison was expelled from the stomach. Other remedies were administered, and when it became evident that the heart began to fail, an electro-galvanic current was applied, but despite all efforts Mr. Shaffer sank steadily, and expired at about twenty minutes before twelve o'clock.

The immediate cause of his death was heart failure. Under more favorable circumstances he might have overcome the effects of the drug, but his system, already weakened by his sickness, could not rally from the additional strain imposed upon it. The motive for his act is a subject of conjecture. It is possible that he was suddenly seized with one of the terrible pains to which he was subject, and in sheer desperation resulting from agony resolved to end his life; or perhaps he thought that the laudanum taken inwardly would more quickly alleviate the pain, without causing death. His home relations were of the happiest and no other motive than his ailment can be conjectured.

The deceased was fifty-two years old last November. He was a palace car conductor on the central-Hudson road, and had been for thirty years. He was one of the oldest conductors on the road. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, both married, and a son.

Coroner Murray was notified and viewed the body. An inquest will be held shortly.

Source: The Albany Journal, Evening Edition, Wednesday, March 21, 1888, page 7.

The Funeral of Adam Shaffer

There was a large attendance of railroad men and others at the funeral of Adam Shaffer, from his late residence on First street at 9:30 o'clock this morning, despite the rain. The remains rested in a draped casket of black cloth and velvet, with black and silver handles, and bearing a silver plate which read "Born November 25, 1835. Adam Shaffer, died March 17, 1888." Temple lodge No. 14, of which the deceased was a member, took charge of the remains at the conclusion of the religious services at the house, and accompanied them to Little Falls on the 11 o'clock train, where interment was had this afternoon.

Source: The Albany Journal, Tuesday Evening, March 27, 1888, page 7.

CORONER MURRAY held an inquest last evening in the case of Adam Shaffer, whose death from an overdose of laudanum has been described. The jury returned a verdict of "death by poison administered by his own hand."



Obituary of Catharine Shaffer, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Shaffer, who died in 1854 and is buried in Church Street Cemetery. Newspaper unknown.

In this village, on Saturday, October 28 of Consumption, CATHARINE, eldest daughter of Jacob and Catharine Shafer, aged 16 years, 10 months, and 4 days.

It seems hardly possible that the subject of this notice is no more.

Her death was sudden and unexpected.

We were surprised to learn the sad intelligence of her departure.

In view of this painful event that all beneath the sun is fading, and that our lives are as the evening cloud and morning dew.

How humbling to our pride are such inscrutable providences, which remove from our midst beauty, amiability, excellency and worth.

It perhaps would not be improper and it seems due the departed, to say, that in this bereavement, one of our best young ladies has fallen.

She was useful, amiable, affectionate, and highly esteemed. Her loss will be felt in the sanctuary, the Sabbath School, among her youthful associates, and by her much afflicted parent, brothers and sisters.

It is painful to a community, to be called upon to mourn the loss of one so amiable and promising as the subject of this notice. Already had her deportment made her interesting, and her generous spirit had given her a large place in the affections and confidence of her acquaintance.

She was early inclined to serious reflection, and for a few months past, manifested much tenderness and anxiety at the mention of the name of her savior.

Although she never made any public profession of religion, yet she loved the bible, and was a most attentive listener to the preached gospel.

In the beautiful lines of Mr. Smith, may be seen the portrait of her character:

"Sister, thou was mild and lovely,

Gentle as the summer breeze;

Pleasing as the air of evening,

When it floats among the trees."



Funeral notice of Utley Marshall, second husband of Mary E. Shaffer Smith (daughter of Jacob and Catharine Shaffer). The itemized funeral bill indicates that his corpse was shipped to Little Falls, NY, for $2. He died November 25, 1882. Newspaper unknown, burial unknown. This clipping is hand dated 12/2/1882 .

--The remains of the late Utley Marshall were brought here from Chester, PA, Saturday for interment. The funeral services were conducted Sunday. Deceased was formerly a resident of this village where he had many friends.

Back to Meet Your Ancestors Section

Back to Herkimer County NYGenWeb

Back to New York State GenWeb




Created: 5/5/15
Copyright © 2015 Susanne Wile
All Rights Reserved.