BIOGRAPHY: Frederick SCHAAF, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 567-568.

  FREDERICK SCHAAF, Reedsville, Mifflin county, Pa., was born at Kirchheim, near 
an old castle, on the river Teck, in Germany, February 4, 1831.  He is a son of 
Gottlieb and Caroline (Meyer) Schaaf.  Mrs. Schaaf was a daughter of Christian 
and Susanna Meyer.  The children of Mrs and Mrs. Gottlieb Schaaf are:  Caroline;  
Louisa;  Rosina;  Pauline;  and Sophia;  besides the son, Frederick.  Mr. Schaaf 
died at the age of sixty-nine;  his wife still survives him.
  Frederick Schaaf attended the public schools of the fatherland, and afterwards 
served an apprenticeship at shoemaking.  He then set out upon the customary 
"Wanderjahr," or year of travel, of the young journeyman of that country; ;but 
whether because the "Wanderlust" - (delight in wandering) - became too strong 
for him, or whether the hope of a better support for himself and perhaps some 
others influenced him, his wanderings extended to America.  On September 13, 
1850, he found himself in Philadelphia.  There he soon obtained employment at 
his trade from a compatriot, Mr. Boehm, with whom he spent four years.  He then 
removed to Reedsville, where he began independent work at his trade in a modest 
and sensible way, in an old house which formerly stood in the rear of his 
present home.  His diligent application to business, his skill and frugality, 
and no doubt the help of his good wife, whom he married only a year or two after 
setting up his own shop, have ensured him complete success.  By the year 1863, 
he was able to become the owner of the house and lot which he occupied.  Seven 
years more passed, and now his financial condition warranted him in building his 
present spacious and comfortable dwelling.  In the same year, Mr. Schaaf added a 
mercantile department to his business, and has ever since dealt in boots and 
shoes of other makes, besides his own.  Having come to the town a foreigner, 
without capital, Mr. Schaaf's gradual attainment of a comfortable competency and 
an assured position in business, abundantly illustrates the fact that to succeed 
in the world, it is only necessary to learn to do one thing well, and then to go 
on doing it.  Mr. Schaaf adheres to the Democratic party;  he takes much 
interest in local affairs, and in plans for improvement or benevolence, but does 
not desire political preferment.
  Frederick Schaaf was married, September 13, 1855, to Sarah, daughter of Jacob 
and Sarah Bosler, of Union county, Pa.  Four of their children died in early 
infancy;  the survivors are:  Louisa J.;  Frank W., married, and residing at 
Boulder, near Denver, Col.;  John Wilson, married Daisy McDaniel, has three sons 
and two daughters;  and Elmer F.  The excellent wife and mother, Mrs. Frederick 
Schaaf, died July 19, 1894;  she is well remembered for her kindness and 
hospitality, and as a faithful member of the Lutheran church at Reedsville, to 
which her husband and family also belong.