My Genealogy Hound

SCHAFFER, JOHN D., was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 22, 1817; he emigrated to America in July, 1838; he worked as a journeyman baker successively in Philadelphia; Cincinnati and Detroit, until he settled in Cairo, Ill., in 1840, where he started in business for himself, with William Bender, now a prominent merchant in Memphis, Tenn.; in 1843, he removed to Iowa; settled in Fort Madison. On the 2d of June, 1846, he married Louisa Peters, daughter of Matthias Peters; they have six children. He is still living in the residence part of the old homestead, which, with two store rooms, constitutes what is known as Schaffer’s Corner, built by him in 1844, and where he carried on the general mercantile business, until the hard times, bad debts, Eads’ securities, and other reverses, compelled him to sell off his stock at cost, pay all of his debts, one hundred cents on the dollar, and seek to recover his fortunes as sutler in the army; for most of the time since the war, he has been and is still engaged as Guard at the Iowa State Penitentiary. He is a quiet man, of unassuming manners, kind to his family, and loved by all who really know him.