My Genealogy Hound

A. E. Shoffner, one of the leading planters of Jackson County, was born in North Carolina, on April 18, 1831, and is a son of Frederick and Susan (Danison) Shoffner, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to this country with their parents, and settled in North Carolina, the grandfather becoming a prominent planter in Orange County. The father was married in the same county, and died in that place in 1845, near Hillsboro, the mother dying several years later. They were the parents of two sons, Aenes E. and T. M. The former son was born and reared in Orange County, N. C., and received his education in that place. In the fall of 1858, he emigrated to Arkansas, and located at Batesville, where he remained until 1860, when he removed to Jackson County and settled in Richmond Township. He bought some land and commenced farming in that locality, but a few years afterward he moved to Breckinridge Township, and settled on a farm in that place. On his arrival in Arkansas he possessed very little, but being a man of industrious habits and economy he became very successful and accumulated considerable property. He now owns about 960 acres of valuable land in Jackson County, with about 300 acres under cultivation, and a great many improvements on his other land. Mr. Shoffner has passed through many hardships in his life, and encountered obstacles in his path on almost every occasion when seeking to make his fortune, but his strong will, determination and upright character, have placed him in an independent position, and he is now a respected and highly-esteemed citizen of his county. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Company I, of Ganze’s regiment, and served until the surrender. He was principally assigned to the quartermaster’s department during that time, but also took part in several battles. Mr. Shoffner was married in 1854, to Miss Martha N. Patterson, by whom he had eight children: Emily I., Queeny A., Susan L., William H., Charles C., Edwin P., Daniel L. and Nannie B. Mr. Shoffner has served as justice of the peace and constable of his township, and has also been one of the school directors. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and Royal Arcanum, and also of the Masonic fraternity.