1880_John_Schafer_Land_Claim_Final_Proof
Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, May 7, 1880.
1839 Johann Christian Schäfer was born in Nellmersbach and baptized in Winnenden on July 15. He was the son of Johann Michael Schäfer, farmer, and of Friederike born Müller. His sponsors were Christian Müller, farmer in Nellmersbach, and his wife Margaretha born Strieter. The baptism record states that he was born in the early morning hours on July 15, but John Christian Schafer's obituary states his birth date as July 14. [1]
1850 Maria Louisa was born on September 24 in Leutenbach and baptized on September 26. She was the daughter of Christian Klink, citizen and farmer in Leutenbach, and of Anna Margaretha born Fredel. Her sponsons were Jakob Pfleiderer, farmer in Hertmannsweiler, and his wife Anna Maria born Fredel. [2]
1854 Christian Schäfer, son of Johann Michael Schäfer and Friederike geb. Müller, applied to emigrate from Nellmersbach to Amerika on February 20. [3]
1854 Christian Schäfer (listed as age 13) from Wurttemberg arrived in New Orleans on May 1 on the ship Manchester from La Havre. His uncle, Louis Müller (age 22), a farmer from Wurttemberg, was listed near him on the passenger list. [4]
1854 Maria Klink, traveling with her parents and siblings, arrived in New Orleans on November 11 on the ship Radius from La Havre, France. [5] [6]
1872 "Johann C. Schaefer and Maria Louise Klink" were married on February 18 in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri. [7]
1873 A stillborn daughter of John and Maria Schafer, born February 25, was buried in Jewell County, Kansas.
1874 Charles Franklin Schafer, son of John and Maria, was born on November 27 in Calvin Twp, Jewell County, Kansas.
1879 On March 13, John C. Schafer was granted three tracts of land totaling 160 acres in Jewell County, Kansas, land that he had homesteaded. President R. B. Hayes issued the letters patent. [8]
1880 John C. Schafer was named as a witness in a notice for the final proof of claim for the land grant of James B. Wyland in the Jewell County newspaper. [9]
LAND OFFICE CONCORDIA, KANSAS, No. 1076. May 3, 1880. Notice is bereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of bin claim, and secure final entry thereof, on Friday the 1st day of June, 1880, before the Clerk of the Court of Jewell county, at Mankato, Kansas, viz: James B. Wyland, of Jewell county, Kansas, Homestead Entry No. 13,236 for the W ½ NE ¼ and E ½ Nw ¼ Sec. 32, Town South, Range 8 west, and names the following as his witnesses, to prove hie continuous residence upon and cultivation of said tract, viz; John C. Schafer, W. H. Bunch, David O'Riley, Jephthat J. Connelly, all of Jewell City, Jewell county, Kansas. H. McECKRON, Register.
1880 On June 1, John Schaffer (age 40, farmer) and his wife Mary L. Schaffer (age 29, housekeeping) lived in Calvin Township, Jewell County, Kansas with their son Charles F. (age 5, at school). John and Mary and their parents were born in Wurtemberg, Charles was born in Kansas. [10]
1880 John William Schafer, son of John and Maria, was born on June 5 in Calvin Twp, Jewell County, Kansas.
1882 The Jewell County newspaper described the farms in Calvin Township.
TRIP SIX.
After a few weeks' lay off, on account of the glorious rains and consequent muddy roads, we have again resumed our trips, and hope to be able to continue them in future without a break until we have visited every section of country in this representative district. This week we visited the farmers in the south part of Calvin township. The first improved farm that attracted our attention after crossing Scarbrough Point, was that of Mr. A. Wyland, who is one of the old settlers of the county; selected his claim in the fall of '71 and moved his family and took formal possession of it in the spring of '72. He owns …
John C. Schafer, one of the oldest settlers of that section, has a remarkably well improved farm of 220 acres, parts of Sec. 28, 29, 30, 32, and 33 all in one connected body; has a good house, splendid barn and all the small out buildings usually found on first-class farms; has hedge fence in excellent trim around several 80 and 40 acre lots, 70 acres of pasture enclosed with hedge that will turn hogs; has large groves of natural forest trees bordering on Brown's creek, which flows through
his farm, and almost every variety of fruit trees and small fruit. His crop returns this season aggregate considerably over 100 acres, principally corn, which is all up and growing finely. Mr. Schafer it is said has never yet had an entire crop failure, which is attributed, in the first place, to the rich soil that he was wise enough to select when he first settled and had the pick and choice from the thousands of acres then unoccupied; and in the second place, to the good farming which he is capable of bringing to bear on his crops. He owns nice droves of cattle and hogs and is well supplied with mules and horses to carry on his farming operations. In short, Mr. Schafer is well fixed and ranks as one of the solid farmers of Calvin township.
1882 Members of the Klink family visited the Schafer family in August. [14]
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schafer of Calvin township, are at present entertaining Mrs. S's father, Christian Klink, Sr., her brother, Christian Klink, Jr., and her sisters, Mrs. Shaeffer, and Miss Emma Klink, all of Buchanan county, Mo.
1883 The Jewell newspaper reported on April 13 [15]
John C. Schafer, residing four miles west, was in town on Monday, after a wagon left at Bunch Bros. blacksmith shop for repairs, while in the act of hitching his team to it the horses took a sudden scare and lit out for home; fortunately the tugs were still unhooked, so the wagon will not need another overhauling. Mr. Schafer always furnishes The Republican with a runaway item about this time of the year.
1883 The Jewell County newspaper announced that the Schafers were building an addition to their home. [16]
John C. Schafer of Calvin township is making arrangements to build a roomy addition to his already commodious farm house.
1884 Edwin George Schafer, son of John and Maria, was born on February 18 in Calvin Twp, Jewell County, Kansas.
1884 The Atlas of Jewell County Kansas shows the land of "J. C. Shaffer" in Section 28 of Calvin Township, just west of Buffalo Township. Brown's Creek flows through John's land. [17]
1884 On October 17, the Jewell newspaper reported apparently fraudulent activity by the company publishing the Atlas, [18]
John C. Schafer, of Brown's creek, is among those who stoutly deny ever subscribing for an atlas, but who now has one on hand. Mr. Schafer is a man whose word would stand against the oaths of a dozen atlas agents, and he says he never signed a contract to take the book. He claims to have placed his name in a blank book in which there was no printing, and further more he says nothing was said regarding the price or purchase of an atlas. His understanding was that he was simply sanctioning the plat they were making locating his farm. Whether Gillen & Davy are parties to the moral rottenness of their agents we are of course unable to state, but we doubt very much their ability to collect such accounts as Mr. Schafer's. Wherever parties knowingly signed a contract for an atlas, they will without a doubt be compelled to plank up.
1885 John C Schafer and family were listed in the Kansas census at Burr Oak, Jewell County, Kansas. [19]
1885 John Schafer rented his farm to his brother-in-law Joseph Ripkey. [20]
John C. Schafer, of Calvin township, has rented his farm for this season to his brother-in-law, Joe Ripley of Missouri.
1886 The Jewell County newspaper reported, [21]
John C. Schafer owns the tidiest and best kept farm on Brown's Creek.
1888 Benjamin Harrison Schafer, son of John and Maria, was born on August 28 in Calvin Twp, Jewell County, Kansas.
1890 The Brown's Creek Breeding Association purchased a stallion. [22]
The Brown's Creek Breeding Association purchased the imported stallion "Prelate" this week. The stock holders are as follows: David Cross, $200; John C. Schafer, $200; 0. J. Smith, $100; A. P. Burd, $100; Samuel Simpson, $400. The boys think they have a fine horse. He is a dapple gray and weighs 1800 lbs. He can be seen in Jewell on Fridays and Saturdays.
1891 Raymond Walter Schafer, son of John and Maria, was born on January 3 in Calvin Twp, Jewell County, Kansas. The Jewell County Republican reported, "Born to John C. Schafer and wife, a boy, January 3d, 1891." [23]
1891 John visited his mother in Nellmersbach, Germany, leaving Kansas in August and returning in October. [24]
John C. Schafer has returned from his visit to his old home in Germany, which he left nearly forty years ago. His mother did not know that he was coming and he had great difficulty in convincing her that he was her son. Some old scars that she looked for had disappeared and that made matters WOrSE. She was finally convinced, however, was of course overjoyed. Mr. Schafer says that country is just about the same as it was when he left. After living in America he say he would not like to live there. There was no famine in the part of the country he saw..
In the "Twenty Years Ago" column on August 18, 1911, the Jewell newspaper reported, [25]
1911 Visit to Germany 20 Years Ago
Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, August 18, 1911.John C. Schafer, one of the most prosperous Brown's Creek farmers, has gone to Germany to visit his mother.
In the "Twenty Years Ago" column on October 27, 1911, the Jewell newspaper reported, [26]
1911 Twenty Years Ago Germany Visit Return
Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, October 27, 1911.
John C. Schafer has returned from his visit to his old home in Germany, which he left nearly forty years ago. His mother did not know that he was coming and he had great difficulty in convincing her that he was her son. Some old scars that she looked for had disappeared and that made matters worse. She was finally convinced, however, and was of course overjoyed.
1890's Maria Louisa's niece Matah Schaeffer, daughter of Maria's sister Friederike Paulina, lived with the Schafer family in Jewell. Matah's mother died in 1888 when Matah was age three years.
1900 On June 20, John Schafer (age 60, born July 1839 in Germany) and his wife Mary L. Schafer (age 49, born September 1850 in Germany) lived in Calvin Township, Jewell County, Kansas, with sons Charles (age 25, born November 1874 in Kansas, farmer), William (age 20, born June 1880 in Kansas, farmer), Edwin (age 16, born February 1884 in Kansas, at school), Benjamin (age 11, born August 1888 in Kansas, at school), and Raymond W. (age 10, born January 1891 in Kansas, at school), and nieces Gertrude Schaeffer (age 18, born December 1881 in Missouri) and Matah Schaeffer (age 14, born October 1885 in Missouri, at school). John and Mary had been married 28 years. Mary had had 6 children and 5 were living. Both of her parents were born in Germany. John's year of immigration was 1854. He was a farmer, and both of his parents were born in Germany. [27]
1900 John visited his mother in Germany, leaving in June and returning to Kansas in August.
John C. Schafer, one of the most suecessful farmers in Jewell county, and aS good a neighbor as any man ever lived by, started last week for the old country, where he will visit his mother in Germany and take in the Paris Exposition. It will be a grand surprise for his mother when he walks in, as she does not know he is coming. Mr. Schafer was born in Germany.
The Jewell newspaper reported the same information in the "Twenty Years Ago" column on June 18, 1920, [29]
John Schäfer was listed as a passenger leaving Hamburg, Deutschland, on July 22 on the ship Graf Waldersee that stoppped in Boulogne-sur-Mer and Plymouth and then arrived in New York. The shipping line was Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft and the ship type was Dampfschiff (steamship). John's accommodation was on the Zwischendeck. His occupation was Landwirt, Besitzer (farmer of his own farm). [30]
The Jewell newspaper reported on August 10, 1900, "John C. Schafer arrived home from Germany this week."
1902 On September 29, John C Schafer applied for a pension based on his Civil War service in E5 Mo S.M. Cav & B Berry's Battn, Mo. Cav. [32]
1903 The wedding reception for Charles and Anna Ertel Schafer at the home of the Schafer family was described in the Jewell County newspaper. [33]
The reception in behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Schafer was the happy event at the comfortable home of John C. Schafer on Friday night of last week. About seventy guests were present to meet and greet Chas. Schafer and his bride, formerly Miss Anna Ertel, who has hundreds of friends in Jewell county, who are all glad to have ber come to her new home where she and Charles Schafer, "like a double cherry, seeming parted and yet united" will share the joys and blessings of "sweet home" life. The social affair was tactfully managed by Miss Matah Schaffer who waited upon the guests with a magnificent social alertness, most pleasing to all. A program consisting of instrumental music by Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Berry, solo, Miss Hockman, humorous recitation by Miss Ruby Earl, solo by Miss Rena Gabe, etc., was heartily received by the guests. Delicious refreshments, abundant in variety were served the guests by some eight smiling young ladies, under the leadership of Miss Matah. At the midnight hour followed a prayer and a benediction by the Rev. Swart, which appropriately closed the happy event. The friends left their good wishes and many beautiful presents with the bride and groom, and took with them the blessed remembrance of a happy occasion.
1904 The Jewell newspaper reported on March 11, "John C. Schafer will build another big barn 40x60 this spring with good sheds around it." [34]
1904 On March 18, the Jewell newspaper reported, [35]
Mrs. J. C. Schafer's brother who lives in southern Kansas sent her some peach and cherry blossoms to warn her of the approach of spring. Ordinarily we are only about two weeks later than they.
1904 John C. Schafer was a founding officer of the Citizens State Bank of Jewell which opened on April 4 in Jewell, Kansas.
Where do You Bank?
The new bank wants your business. No matter if it is nothing more than cashing a check we want you to do it at our counter. The CITIZENS STATE BANK
Is backed by men of experience and capital. Banking with them is no experiment. They know the business and are prepared to do anything in the banking line for you promptly and accurately.
They are your neighbors and friends. They are known to practically every man who trades in Jewell as men of financial ability. Men who have made a success of their own affairs are safe counsellors. The personality of the officers and directors of this bank assures you of courteous and fair treatment. We want your business.
BENJ. MUSSER, President. JOHN C. SCHAFER, Vice President.
WM. A. MATSON, Cashier. J. E. STIDHAM, Asst. Cashier.
DIRECTORS: Benj. Musser, John C. Schafer, Peter R. Hoffer, Hugh Harrison, E. L. Gray, J. E. Stidham, Wm. A. Matson.
The Citizens State Bank was on the corner of Delaware and S. Washington streets in Jewell, [38]. The Post Office was in the building prior to the establishment of the bank. A lodge and restaurant was in the building in 2025.
1904 The Jewell newspaper reported on August 19,[39]
It is refreshing to find a man square enough to live up to his convictions of what is honest and right. John C. Schafer is that kind of a man. When the cholera struck his herd of hogs the buyers went out and offered to buy those not yet sick; but Mr. Schafer thinks a man should not sell hogs on the market out of a sick herd. He therefore refused the three hundred dollars offered him and his herd was swept away by disease.
1905 John Schafer's nephew, Marion Wagonblast, purchased land in Prairie Township, south of Jewell. [40]
Walter Smith sold his Prairie township farm to Marion Wagonblast for 84,800. Mr. Smith will join his father in Oklohoma. Mr. Wagonblast is from St. Joseph and is a nephew of John C. Schafer of Brown's Creek.
1905 John Schafer's brother, Louis Schafer, purchased Land in Brown's Creek Township. [41]
J. E. Stidham sold two farms this week. The James Bingham farm in Brown's Creek township to Louis Schafer (a brother of John C. Schafer), for $4,300; and Mrs. Esther Partch's farm in Buffalo township to M. F. Reynolds.
1905 John C Schafer and family were listed in the Kansas census at Calvin, Jewell County, Kansas. [42]
1907 Niece Stella Hinkle visited the Schafer family in May. [43]
Miss Stella Hinkle, of Little Falls, Minn., is visiting her aunt, Mrs. John C. Schafer. Miss Hinkle is private secretary to a Minnesota congressman and spends much time in Washington.
1908 John Schafer;s niece Anna Wagonblast, nephew Benjamin Wagonblast's wife, and brother Lewis Schafer visited the Schafer family in September. [44]
Mrs. B. F. Wagonblast and her sister-in-law, Miss Annie Wagonblast, arrived from St. Joseph Wednesday evening. Mr. Lewis Schafer came also to visit awhile at the home of his brother, John C. Schafer..
1908 John C. Schafer offered apples for sale in October. [45]
Good winter apples for sale. Phone 412 JOHN C. SCHAFER.
1910 On April 2, John Schafer (age 70) and his wife Mary L. Schafer (age 59) lived in Calvin Township, Jewell County, Kansas, with sons Benjamin H. (age 21) and Raymond (age 19). The sons were both farm laborers and were born in Kansas. John and Mary had been married 38 years and had had 6 children, with 5 living. Both they and their parents were born in Germany. [46]
1908 John C. Schafer visited St. Joseph in November. [47]
John C. Schafer and his niece, Miss Annie Wagonblast, went to St. Joseph Tuesday. Miss Wagonblast has been visiting here several weeks and Mr. Schafer returned home with her for a visit..
1911 On September 1, the Jewell newspaper reported, [48]
P. A. Miner sold his residence in Jewell to J. C. Schafer, of Calvin township, last week, and will build just across the street.
1911 Son Ben Schafer and Gwen Howard were married on September 28. The newspaper noted that Ben would take over his father's farm and his parents would move to their new home in Jewell City.
Mr. Ben Schafer of Brown's Creek, son of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schafer, and Miss Gwen Hower, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Hower were married last evening. We understand that Ben will handle the old Schafer homestead, one of the finest farms in the Brown's Creek valley, and that his father and mother will move to town, occupying their newly purchased residence.
Ben Schafer has the sterling qualities of his father, and no higher compliment could be passed upon him. Jewell City is also agreed that Ben's good judgment did not desert him when it came to picking out a wife. He got one of the fairest of the flock..
1911 Lewis Schafer, John's brother, died in St. Joseph in October. [50]
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schafer were called to St. Joseph last week on account of the death of Lewis Schafer, Mr.
Schafer's brother. After their return they will move to their new home in Jewell..
1911 John and Maria Schafer moved from their farm west of Jewell into the town of Jewell. On November 3, the Jewell newspaper reported, [51]
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schafer are now town folks, having taken possession of their own city home this week. Glad to have them among us.
1912 The Jewell newspaper reported, [52]
John C. Schafer is bailding a new barn in town.
1912 A surprize birthday celebration was held for John Schafer and William Collie. [53]
A Sane 4th.
The 4th of July being the birthday of Wm. Collie, and John Schafer's birthday being on the 13th, some of their old army comrades and the W. R. C. thought it would be a good time to have a good time, 80 a sane 4th was organized, and kept quiet from Bill and John. On the morning of the 4th, one of the comrades went over to Collie's and got him to go down two miles east to look at a silo that someone had put up. As soon as Bill was off, Mrs. Collie phoned to the picket guard that the coast was clear, and in a short time an awning was stretched from the house to the woodshed, two tables set, room for fifty, chairs all over the lawn, flags and tri colored bunting hung all around, and about twenty old comrades and their wives and families and friends were there to meet Will when he came home. To say he was surprised is putting it too tame. He could hardly believe he was not dreaming. And so was Comrade John Schafer surprised to find the job was put up on him as well. Even the "old guard" and the W. R. C. were surprised to see the change that an hour had made in a plain city home to a full-fledged 4th of July picnic in full blast. And still they came, until one hundred sat down to eat as good a dinner as ever was served. A large cake all frescoed with mottoes and names was formally presented to both Collie and Schafer by the W. R. C. Each was presented by S. R. Deach Post with a cane, in token of comradeship, Commander Crandall making the presentation. Comrades McIntyre and Brunnemer lead in singing the old army songs, all the way from "The Army Bean" to "Marching through Georgia," short speeches, patriotic airs, instrumental music, everything except tin horns and firecrackers, and a little of that. Everybody went home feeling that they had celebrated the glorious 4th, had a splendid time with comrades and friends, and hoping to live to celebrate many 4th of Julys in the same way. COMPANY "A".
1915 John C Schafer and family were listed in the Kansas census at Jewell, Jewell County, Kansas. [54]
1915 An article in the May 7 issue of the Jewell County Republican states, [55]
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schafer will start for the Pacific Coast next Monday and expect to be absent two months. They will stop at Pullman, Washington and visit their son, Professor Edwin G. Schafer at the Washington State Agricultural College.
1917 The Jewell newspaper reported on June 29, [56]
Prof. Ed Schafer, accompanied by his wife and children are here from Pullman, Washington, to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schafer. Ed is field and crop man in the Washington Agricultural College.
1919 John's 80th birthday was celebrated. The Jewell newspaper reported, [57]
Mr. and Mrs. Will Schafer came up from Eskridge this week to be here on the occasion of the 80th birthday of Will's father, Mr. John C. Schafer. The day was happily observed out at the old homestead where Mr. and Mrs. Schafer lived for so many years, building a beautiful home out of the raw prairie. It was here they raised their fine family of five boys, drove four miles to church and Sunday school with a farm team every Sunday morning almost regardless of weather, taught them to be efficient workers, put them through school and sent them to college. In all these years Mr. Schafer's pocketbook was open to every good cause, and we do not believe he ever knowingly took a dollar of any man's money that he was not fairly entitled to and his word was as good as wheat wherever he was known. Boys raised the way the Schafer boys were do not often go wrong, they go right, and their success in life is largely due to the wise training they receive while still under the home roof. We do not know of a man more worthy of admiration than John C. Schafer.
1920 On January 5, J.C. Schafer (age 80) and his wife Marie L. Schafer (age 69) lived in Jewell City, Jewell County, Kansas. They owned their home with no mortgage. John's brother-in-law Cris F. Klink (age 71) lived with them. The date of immigration was 1954 for all three. The date of naturalization was 1863 for J.C. and 1856 for Marie and Cris. Cris was a laborer with the city. All were born in Germany as were their parents. [58]
1922 John and Maria celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in February. The Jewell newspaper reported, [59]
On Saturday, February 18, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schafer passed the Golden milestone of their wedded life; which event was very pleasantly celebrated at their home in Jewell with all their children (except Ed who lives in Pullman, Wash.) and about seventy other relatives and friends.At two o'clock their Sunday school class and older members of the E. V. church called; after offering their congratulations, a short informal program was rendered during which Rev. Kliphardt and Rev. Schumacher made short addresses. Light refreshments were served and at three o'clock they gave place to the comrades of the G. A. R., their wives and widows who spent a very pleasant hour in conversation. Comrade McIntyre made a very appropriate speech; refreshments were served to them and they in turn gave place to the immediate neighbors and old time associates. The home was very tastefully arranged with cut flowers and other decorations; gold and white being the color scheme. The refreshments were also in gold and white. Gold and white cake, gold and white brick ice cream and coffee. Many beautiful and useful presents were received.
Mr. and Mrs Schafer were both born in Germany within a mile of each other and both came to America when quite young. Mr. Schafer came with an uncle in his early teens and Mrs. Schafer with her parents as a mere child. They settled near St. Joseph, Mo., where they grew to manhood and womanhood and there first became acquainted with each other. In 1870 Mr Schafer came to Jewell County and homesteaded the farm four miles west of Jewell. After building a home and raising one crop he returned to St. Joseph and claimed his bride. They immediately moved to the farm where they lived for many years and raised their family of five boys.
In 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Schafer united with the E. V. church to which they have been faithful attendants and liberal contributents. Rev. Schumacher in his address stated that when he came to Jewell in 1888 they led the list as contributors and that at the present time they still held that place.
It seems quite remarkable that Mr. and Mrs. Schafer should have been born within a mile of each other in Germany, and yet first find each other in the big United States. Mrs. Schafer was four when she came to America and Mr. Schafer was fifteen.After he had become prosperous in Kansas he once went back to Germany to see his mother. Mr. Schafer lived in Missouri when the civil war broke out. He was the first in his township to offer his services when Abraham Lincoln called for troops. He was in the cavalry and much of his time was devoted to chasing Quantrell's guerrillas and fighting other bushwhackers. They had a dangerous, unseen foe to fight, who would scatter and run when charged. During the recent world's war Mr. Schafer once said to his sons: "I have a brother in Germany. A number of my nephews are in the German army. But all I have I got under the protection of the United States. It is my country and I am ready to give all I have if necessary in its defense."
Mr. and Mrs. Schafer have always been firm believers in churches and good schools, and they brought their children up that way. They lived four miles from town but the whole family came to church and Sunday school with the utmost punctuality and very little regard to weather. They the boths were sent to high school and from there through college.
Anybody who knows the boys will recognize the wisdom of their parents' course. Two of the boys are among Jewell county's most progressive and prosperous farmers, two are college professors, and one is engaged in the lumber business.
Mr. and Mrs. Schafer have done a splendid work in the world in the most quiet and unassuming way. Mr. Schafer has never been what you would call a public man, but he has always been a public spirited man. His pocket book was always open to boost any good cause, and so far as those know who knew him best his life has never been sullied by any act that was not absolute honest and square. The world owes more than it can ever pay to such citizens as Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schafer.
1923 The Jewell newspaper reported on April 20, "The Jewell folks are very sorry to hear of the serious illness of John C. Schafer." [61]
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Schafer of Eskridge Kansas, made brief visits in the Albert Stanley home here, both Saturday evening and Monday morning, enroute to, and from Jewell City, where they spent Mother's Day, and visited with his father, John Schafer, who has been in poor health of late.
E. G. Schafer, of Pullman, Wash., and Raymond Schafer, of Ft. Collins, Colo., have been here this week owing to the declining health of their father, John C. Schafer. It has been twenty years since Edwin graduated from the Jewell high school and started out for himself. In that graduating class appear the following names, most of whom, though scattered from one end of the country to the other, still keep in touch with each other through the Republican: George McClung, Flora Coomber, Ethel Cross, Edwin Schafer, Ray Bottorf, Newton Clark, Bessie Aerl, Aubrey Nelson, Charley Wheeler, Lizzie Pratt, Gussie Hutchison, Roy Perfect, Milton Pence, Claude Reynolds, Frank Postlethwaite, Gallagher, Guy Grimm. Mr. Schafer is head of a department at the State Agricultural College at Pullman, Wash.
1923 John C. Schafer died on Jun 29 in Jewell, Kansas. He was buried at Jewell City Cemetery, Jewell, Jewell County, Kansas. [64]
1923 An Obituary for John C. Schafer was published in the Jewell County Republican on Friday, July 6. [65]
John C. Schafer, one of the early pioneers of Jewell county and a veteran of the Civil War, died at his home in Jewell, Friday morning, June 29, 1923. Mr. Schafer had been in ill health for several months, and though his death was not unexpected, it brought sorrow to hundreds of friends. At the funeral service at the Evangelical church Sunday afternoon, the Rev. C. F. Kliphardt delivered a sermon that gripped the hearts of his hearers. Mr. Kliphardt has been very close to Mr. Schafer since coming to Jewell and he spoke with the love and understanding which that acquaintance gave him. The Rev. G. J. Schumacher, who helped conduct the service, spoke of his admiration and love for Mr. Schafer from the basis of an acquaintance of thirty-eight years. Judge D. L. Palmer also spoke as neighbor in the pioneer days on Brown's Creek. The following obituary was read by Mr. Kliphardt.
John C. Schafer was born July 14, 1939 in Wurtemberg, Germany, and died at Jewell Kans., June 29, 1923, aged 83 years, 11 months and 15 days. At the age of 14 he came to America with an uncle and other young men who emigrated from Germany in a group desirous of seeking their fortunes in the new country. Mr. Schafer spent his young manhood in and near St. Joseph, Mo. He was 21 years of age when the Civil War broke out and was among the first to enlist in the defense of the principles enunciated by President Lincoln. At the close of the war he returned to St. Joseph and shortly afterwards made a an extended tour through most of the western states, arriving in St. Joe again in 1868. He was an honored member of the G.A.R.
In August of 1870 he came to Jewell county and homesteaded the farm four miles west of Jewell. On the 18th of February, 1872, he was married to Mary Louisa Klink. Of their six children, one, a daughter, died in infancy. Of the five sons Charles F. and Ben lived at Jewell, Will at Eskridge, Kans., Ed at Pullman, Wash., and Raymond at Ft. Collins, Colorado.
In 1874 Mr. Schafer was converted and united with the Evangelical church of Jewell, of which he remained a consistent and faithful member until death. He was unassuming but positive, not seeking preferment but ready with strength and means to support every worthy cause. He was faithful in his attendance at church and was one of the congregation's most liberal supporters.
The people who were here to attend the funeral of Mr. John C. Schafer last Sunday were Mr. Will Klink, Arkansas City, Kans., and Mr. Ben Klink, of Little Falls, Minn., brothers of Mrs. Schafer, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Goetz, of Kansas City, Mo.
An article about John C. Schafer was published on the front page of the newspaper the same day.
The best things ever said of some men are found in their obituary notices. But for fifty years in this community the name of John C. Schafer has stood for the best things in human character. He was everywhere regared as a mon who actually did unto others as he would have them do unto him. It is truly wonderful to see that kind of a life lived so simply and naturally as Mr. Schafer lived it. We doubt if any teacher or preacher ever made a deeper or more lasting impression on this community than did this quiet, humble farmer man, who never asked for an office, never made a public speech, never thought of being a leader, nor aspired to any kind of greatness. He became quite prosperous and he did in a quiet way many fine things, but it was not what he had nor what he did that made him great; but what he was. His character was such as always could be relied upon. Everybody knew that John Schafer would do what he thought was right every time, no matter what it cost him. For fifty years this community has had this ideal life before it, and we believe that during that long time that every one who knew Mr. Schafer well honored him and felt the spell of his sincerity and his steadfast devotion to the things he deemed honorable and right. The desire aroused in others for a like excellence always gives such a man an unconscious and unrealized power. The Bible tells of a man who walked with God and God took him. If the Bible were being written now we think it might way the same thing of John C Schafer.
The newspaper also quoted John's widow Maria's plans,
Mrs. John C. Schafer: I never stayed all alone in my life, and I have rheumatism so I cannot always dress myself. The boys want me to live with them, so maybe I'll do it. But I will keep my home for the present.
1923 On July 31, Maria L Schafer, widow of John C Schafer, applied for a Civil War pension based on John's service in E5 Mo S.M. Cav & B Berry's Battn, Mo. Cav. [69]
1927 Maria L. Schafer died on October 2 in Jewell, Kansas. She was buried at Jewell City Cemetery, Jewell, Jewell County, Kansas. [70]
John and Maria's granddaughter Judith recalled being told, [71]
John Christian Schafer received farmland in Kansas as a veteran of the Civil War. He went to the homestead area and chose land with a creek and some elevation, trees along the stream, and other features good for farming. The stream had a section where his five sons later went diving. John met his wife Maria Louisa Klink through relatives. An aunt of one was married to an uncle of the other.
An essay by John and Maria's grandson Jack states, [72]
Today we have driven from Dalhart, Texas, thus from one end of Kansas to the other. Fourteen months ago we made a similar trip from Elkhart, KS--on highway 56 while today mostly on highway 54. These are part of our several recent annual trips from Minnesota to spend the winters in California. I think back on the many trips around Kansas when we lived here, just over 20 years ago, including some presence in all 105 counties.
But I also think much further back to when Grandfather and Grandmother Schafer homesteaded in north central Kansas in 1872. One may be on a horse, maybe walking, or possibly in a wagon. What do you look for in choosing land? How far can you go? When do you make a decision as to where you may live the rest of your life or look further for something possibly better?
I guess the first thing is reasonably good looking land--no soil testing lab nearby. Maybe even more important is access to water. Who knows when you might dig or drill a well? Certainly a little stream going by and smooth, grassy land without obvious rocks would seem great.
It now seems almost capricious that a couple from southwestern Germany--near Stuttgart--would spend most of their adult lives and raise a family on a farm in Jewell County in north central Kansas. What factors provided motivation and led to various decisions?
I believe both grandfather and grandmother were born at Nellmersbach, near Stuttgart, he in 1839, she in 1850. Grandmother immigrated as a child with her family, the Klinks, in the mid-1850s. They came through New Orleans, apparently in the midst of an epidemic, possibly malaria, yellow fever, or even cholera. I am not aware that they were affected. They proceeded up the Mississippi and then the Missouri to St. Joseph where they had relatives, and settled there.
Grandfather must have come about the same time, but by himself, as a teen-ager. He came from the same place there to the same place here where they apparently had intermarried relatives. By 1861, Grandfather was 22 years old. He served in the Union Army, likely through the full period of the Civil War. As far as I know he stayed in the Missouri area, possibly in the battle of Wilson Creek.
After the war, he went west and prospected. Two of his younger brothers then immigrated, and the three may have prospected together. After some years of this, grandfather returned to St. Joe to marry and settle down. He must have searched for the homestead during 1870 or 1871, likely by foot. He settled for land in Jewell Co, in the northern tier of counties along the Nebraska state line. It was about four miles west of Jewell City, along Brown's Creek. This provided him with water. I believe that he spent much of the winter in a dugout along the bank of the creek. Almost a century later, when my Dad visited us in Manhattan, Joyce and I took him out there and we explored the banks of the creek, with Dad reminiscing about his childhood there.
Just when or how a house was built, I am unaware. In any case, Grandfather returned to St. Joe where he and Grandmother were married on February 18, 1872. (Dad was born on this date 12 years later, the third of five sons.) Following their wedding, they proceeded by wagon to their claim in Kansas. From my experience, they could have had bright, sunny beautiful Kansas winter days or they could have had snow and rain, or they could have had all of these on the trip from St. Joe to Jewell. Having driven across Kansas in March of this year and January of last year I know that these could be cool but very nice days. I even recall one day in late February when we lived in Kansas that it got up to a record 88 F. Although lovely today (March 7), we saw many residual snow banks along the road in southwestern Kansas.
John Christian Schafer and Maria Louisa Klink are fourth cousins via their ancestors Johann Jacob Schäfer and his wife Margaretha. They are also fourth cousins once removed in three ways: via their ancestors Hans Georg Gaßmann and his wife Maria Magdalena (3rd great grandparents of Anna Margaretha Fredel), Johannes Brünnlin and his wife Ursula Sauer (3rd great grandparents of Anna Margaretha Fredel), and Hans Jacob Schmalzried and his wife Anna Christina Wittich (3rd great grandparents of Johann Michael Schäfer). In addition, John Chistian Schafer's uncle Christian Müller, brother of his mother Friederike Müller, was the husband of Anna Margaretha Fredel's sister Friederika, aunt of Maria Louisa Klink. Christian and Friederika (Fredel) Müller immigrated to America in 1847 and were living in Center Township, Buchanan County, Missouri by 1850.
[1] Evangelische Kirche Winnenden (OA. Waiblingen), Württemberg, Germany, Kirchenbuch, Taufen 1837-1844, FHL film 1056956, [FHLCatalog], [FHL_Image].
[2] Evangelische Kirche Leutenbach (OA. Waiblingen), Württemberg, Germany, Taufen 1840-1901 Heiraten 1840-1894 Tote 1840-1874, FHL film 1184505, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord], [FHLCatalog].
[3] Staatsarchiv Ludwigsburg, Waiblingen, Württemberg, Auswanderungsakten, 1815-1922, Bd. 414 1854, FHL film 856459, DGS 8236512, images 537-540, [FamilySearchImage].
[4] New Orleans, Passenger Lists, 1813-1963, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[5] New Orleans, Passenger Lists, 1813-1963, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[6] New Orleans, Passenger Lists, 1813-1963, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[7] Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[8] United States Bureau of Land Management Patent, [US_BLM Abstract].
[9] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, May 7, 1880, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[10] United States Federal Census, 1880, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[11] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, June 2, 1882, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[12] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, June 2, 1882, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[13] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, June 2, 1882, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[14] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, August 18, 1882, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[15] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, April 13, 1883, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[16] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, May 18, 1883, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[17] Atlas of Jewell County Kansas (Chicago: Gillen & Davy, 1884), p. 41, [URL].
[18] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, October 17, 1884, page 5, [NewspapersClip].
[19] Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[20] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, March 13, 1885, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[21] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, June 4, 1886, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[22] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, April 18, 1890, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[23] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, January 9, 1891, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[24] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, October 23, 1891, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[25] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, August 18, 1911, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[26] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, October 27, 1911, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[27] United States Federal Census, 1900, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[28] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, June 8, 1900, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[29] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, June 18, 1920, page 8, [NewspapersClip].
[30] Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850-1934, [AncestryImage].
[31] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, August 10, 1900, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[32] U.S., Civil War Pension Index, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[33] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, October 23, 1903, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[34] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, March 11, 1904, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[35] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, March 18, 1904, page 8, [NewspapersClip].
[36] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, April 29, 1904, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[37] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, May 20, 1904, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[38] Google Maps Photo, [URL].
[39] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, August 19, 1904, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[40] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, January 20, 1905, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[41] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, May 12, 1905, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[42] Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[43] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, May 31, 1907, page 8, [NewspapersClip].
[44] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, September 25, 1908, page 8, [NewspapersClip].
[45] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, October 2, 1908, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[46] United States Federal Census, 1910, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[47] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, November 20, 1908, page 5, [NewspapersClip].
[48] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, September 1, 1911, page 8, [NewspapersClip].
[49] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, September 29, 1911, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[50] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, October 20, 1911, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[51] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, November 3, 1911, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[52] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, April 19, 1912, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[53] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, July 12, 1912, page 5, [NewspapersClip].
[54] Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[55] Newspaper, Jewell County Republican, May 7, 1915.
[56] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, June 29, 1917, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[57] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, July 18, 1919, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[58] United States Federal Census, 1920, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[59] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, February 24, 1922, page 6, col. 2-3, [NewspapersClip].
[60] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, February 24, 1922, page 6, [NewspapersClip].
[61] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, April 20, 1923, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[62] The Jewell County Monitor, Mankato, Kansas, May 18, 1923, page 3, [NewspapersClip].
[63] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, June 29, 1923, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[64] Find A Grave Memorial 43729166, [FindAGrave].
[65] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, July 6, 1923, page 4, [NewspapersClip].
[66] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, July 6, 1923, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[67] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, July 6, 1923, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[68] Jewell County Republican, Jewell, Kansas, July 6, 1923, page 1, [NewspapersClip].
[69] U.S., Civil War Pension Index, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[70] Find A Grave Memorial 43729168, [FindAGrave].
[71] Personal Communication, conversation with Judith Schafer Chevalley Hiss.
[72] Family Document, Jack (John Francis) Schafer, Ottawa, Kansas, 3-7-1993 (edited and typed, 3-29-2003).
