Frank W. Shaeffer
F.W. Shaeffer
Born
Aug. 3, 1825
In Lancaster Ohio
Died
San Diego Tex.
Oct. 24, 1886
Aged
61 Y. 2M. 21D.
------- foot stone: F.A
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Photograph
Provenance: Dr. Sharon Skrobarcek, great granddaughter of Frank W. Shaeffer
2. The Handbook of Texas online article regarding headstone sculptor, Frank Teich.
3. Article or reference in The Handbook of Texas online
4. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller-Times (June 30, 1999). Available on microfilm.
5. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller-Times (December 22, 1999). Available on microfilm.
6. News item about accident, 1886
ACCIDENT TO MR. SHAEFFER
Mr. F. W. Shaeffer, a prominent of Duval County, met with a serious accident, Thursday. While going from his ranch to San Diego his team took fright and ran away, throwing Mr. Shaeffer and his wife out of the vehicle, breaking his leg above the knee and seriously bruising his wife. Dr. Spohn visited the unfortunate gentleman Thursday, going on a special run. Mr. Shaeffer's friends here sympathize wit him and hope it will not be a serious injury. A later report states that the team (a pair of mules) shied suddenly and in doing so overturned the vehicle, catching Mr. Shaeffer and wife beneath it. Their children and the driver escaped uninjured. The king bolt broke which freed the team; otherwise the accident might have been more serious.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, October 17, 1886, p. 5, col. 1
Research by : Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
7. Obituary and Tribute, 1886
Last Sunday morning the people of this city were surprised and grieved to learn of the death of Mr. Frank W. Shaeffer, who, our readers will remember, met with a painful and serious accident several days before. Intimate friends here of Mr. Shaeffer received word the evening before that both he and wife were doing well and would soon recover, so when word came that he was dead it was a surprise and shock to all. Mr. Shaeffer was cheerful and doing well at a late hour Saturday when all retired except a watcher. About three o'clock he appeared to be breathing hard, and when spoken to replied that he felt very badly. A little brandy was given him for relief and a few moments later he died without a struggle, his situation hardly realized by his friends until all was over. Sunday night at half-past seven a special train bearing his body arrived from San Diego. A large number of our citizens met the funeral party at the train and proceeded at once to the Episcopal church where the burial services were held by Rev. Mr. Howerton, and thence to the grave where his body was interred in the family ground. Mr. Frank W. Shaeffer was born in Ohio, August 4, 1825. He went to California in the early days of the emigration to that State, then a mere boy. He returned from California to New York where he married, and soon after came to Texas, settling near Boerne in 1857. He removed to Duval county in 1859 where he had resided to the time of his death. He engaged in the stock business and from a poor man rose to one of wealth and influence widely known and highly esteemed. He was one of the wealthiest sheep owners in Texas, and raised large numbers of both sheep and cattle. In politics he was Republican-a man of aggressive ideas, who read and reasoned and formed his opinions accordingly. Few were fonder of discussing public questions- a favorite theme being the tariff on which he was well posted. He was bright, quick and sound in judgment – a representative man of the men of wealth and influence of this section. He took a great interest in politics, but never sought or wanted an office He was a generous friend, an affectionate father and husband and a good citizen. In his death his family, the people and the country sustain a great loss. He leaves a wife and interesting family of children to whom he was devoted. To them in their bereavement the Caller extends the hear-felt sympathies of the people and itself.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, October 31, 1886, p. 4, col. 2
A Tribute by a Friend
Galvez, P. O., Oct. 28, 1886
Editors of the Caller:
The sad demise of Mr. F. W. Shaeffer, of Duval county, leaves a void in the community hard to fill. A self-made man, a man of the people, and who had risen to fortune by his own efforts from a small beginning, should be long remembered by the rising generation, who should seek to emulate his example. He was not a man of words, but died with a
generous heart full of the deep impulses. Such men, when they pass away, their loss is surely felt and their places hard to fill. What a sad ending to a good man; full of life and hope, wealth that counted in the hundreds of thousands, with a family loved and respected, his sad taking off by an accident is horrible to contemplate. But it is the
will of a Divine Providence, who does all for the best, and we must, submit to His wisdom. The warm heart that throbbed for other's woes, now lies palsied in the grave and him smiling face and manly form will no long be with us. Peace to his ashes. A good man, a true friend, a good father and husband has been called hence. It should serve as an admonition "that in the midst of life we are in death." S
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, October 31, 1886, p. 4, col. 3
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
8. News item on monument, 1888
A handsome monument of Italian marble has just been erected in the city cemetery by Mrs. Rowena Shaeffer to the memory of her late husband, Frank W. Shaeffer of this county. The large shaft, surmounted by a beautiful urn, makes one of the most attractive monuments on the burial grounds. The work was executed by FRANK TEICH, of San Antonio, who is also doing other marble work in the family enclosure.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, February 25, 1888
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission