SHAFER, John (1864 - 1949)

SHAFER, BOCHARD, RIXMAN, KUMMERFELDT, FELL, SCHMIDT, CORRINGTON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/28/2025 at 22:17:05

JOHN SHAFER
CALUMET – John Shafer, son of Anton and Katherine Shafer, was born in Germany April 2, 1864. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, in Germany. In 1882, at the age of 18 years, he came to America with his parents and lived in Ohio for a year on a farm, ‘till in 1883 the family moved to Cherokee County where they continued farming.

In 1887 Mr. Shafer was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Bochard. To this union were born seven children.

In 1900 Mr. Shafer went to Calumet and made his home on a farm just west of town. Here his children grew to maturity. In 1917 he retired in Calumet. Mr. Shafer had been failing in health the past few years, and on March 2, he suffered a stroke and was taken to Ward hospital in Primghar. He died March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 11 days.

He was preceded in death by his wife on April 9, 1943, and by an infant son and two brothers, William and George.

Surviving are his four sons and two daughters: William Shafer, Otis, Colo., Ernest Shafer, Sioux Falls, SD, Paul Shafer, Pekin, Ill., Mrs. Paul Rixmann, Lakefield, Minn., Mrs. George Kummerfeldt, Calumet, and Edwin Shafer, Calumet; also a brother and three sisters: Anton Shafer, Cleghorn; Mrs. Peter Fell, Cleghorn, Mrs. Frank Schmidt, Cherokee and Mrs. L. Corrington in California; 18 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Phillip Gordon sang “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” and “Abide With Me,” accompanied by Mrs. Geraldine Boldt.

Pallbearers were William Rehder, Thomas Clausen, Henry Blau, Oscar Voigt, Ernest Menke, and Albert Mehrens.

Funeral services were held Wednesday in Zion’s Evangelical and reformed church of Calumet, Rev. Siegfried Dietrich officiating.
(Source: Cherokee Daily Times and Cherokee Chief, Cherokee, IA, Sat., March 19, 1949, pg. 2)