BIOGRAPHIES: Fred SHAFER, Stanfold Township, Barron Co., WI ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Vic Gulickson 14 January 2004 ************************************************************************ Fred Shafer, a Methodist circuit rider, who preached throughout this county, while developing a good farm in Section 34, Stanfold Township, was born at Albany, Green County, Wis., Feb. 22, 1856, the son of John and Julia Shafer. He was reared on the parental farm, and received his education in the neighboring schools, supplemented by home study. He early felt the call to religious duty, and while he continued a farmer all his life, he was an authorized local preacher and exhorter of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. In 1890 he came to Barron County and took a farm in Section 34, Stanfold Township. He put up a log cabin, started a clearing, and like the other settlers underwent with his family many sufferings, hardships and privations. Often he walked to Barron, five miles away, after supplies, bringing his purchases home on his back. He began farming with a cow, but soon after got a yoke of oxen and in time acquired a horse. Thus working early and late, assisted by his wife and children, he developed a good farm. Every Sunday he was away preaching. Early in the morning he would set out, afoot, in a two wheeled cart, or on horseback, to where some of the faithful had gathered, and in this way preached at one time or another in all parts of the county, and organized many classes. He was a man of sturdy physique and devout faith, and was much honored and reverenced for his worth and work. After a useful life of worthy accomplishment, he died Dec. 30, 1918, at the age of 63 years. His wife died thirteen days before at the age of forty-nine years. Mr. Shafer was first married, at Janesville, Wis., to Mary Tait, who died in Stanfold Township, Barron County, leaving five children; Allie, Frederick D., Walter, Susan and Mary. On March 17, 1892, at Rice Lake, Mr. Shafer married Mrs. Charlotte Weideman, who was born in Vernon County, Oct. 20, 1869, daughter of Daniel S. and Charlotte (Wakeman) Alderman. This union was blessed with eight children: Lottie, Hattie, Moses Leroy, James Franklin, Elsie Ellen, Violet Ruth, Elizabeth and Florence. --Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 511 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm