Francis A. Shafer

Francis A. Shafer

• Father: Jacob Shafer
• Mother: Mary (?)

• Francis A. Shafer was born on 13 September 1880 in New York.
• He was known as Frank.
• He married Gertrude R. Ingraham, daughter of Frank A. Ingraham and Ellen A. Taylor, on 26 June 1907 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at Sacred Heart.
• Francis A. Shafer and Gertrude R. Ingraham appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Hornell, Steuben County, New York, at 29 Ransom Street. Other members of the household included Gertrude E. Shafer and Francis A. Shafer.
• He was employed as a twister in a silk mill, according to the 1910 census.
• Francis A. Shafer registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 while living with his wife Gertrude at 36 Washington Street in Hornell, and employed there as a a punch press operator by A. J. Deere Company.
• Francis A. Shafer and Gertrude R. Ingraham appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Hornell, Steuben County, New York, at 36 Washington Street. Other members of the household included Gertrude E. Shafer, Francis A. Shafer and Genevieve Shafer.
• He was a punch press operator in a manufacturing plant, according to the 1920 census.
• The following appeared on 11 May 1921 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Hornell Children Noted Musicians. Cildren of Mr. and Mrs. Schafer Win Laurels in Musical Circles. The following interesting item concerning the talented children of Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Schafer of Hornell appeared in the Hornell paper, April 19th. Mrs. Schafer was formerly Miss Gertrude Ingraham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Ingraham, of No. 1557 Willow avenue, this city:
       Hornell is proud of the Schafer children--Gertrude, Francis and Genevieve. If they were in a larger city they would be a sensation.
       These children were born geniuses of music. They can sing and play various instruments equally as well. They are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Schafer, of 36 Washington street.
       They are much in demand where local entertainments are held. Last night they were featured on a bill staged by the Erie Frieght Club of Hornell.
       Professor James Wiley, who has been instructing little Francis on the violin, declares that he will be the greatest on the violin that Hornell has ever turned out. "He possesses an almost uncanny ear and adaptability for the violin," he says.
       In a week's training they could be featured on any big time vaudeville circuit--so many and varied are their talents and accomplishments.
       But when you hear them you learn a lesson each time. To those who sing and "vocalize" for their own amusement it teaches nothing, but to those who are inclined to become a Caruso, a Schumann-Heink, an Antonio Scotti, a Janet Spencer or a Leo Slezak, give it up unless you can warble "cards and spades" around little Gertrude--which would be hard to do.
       Another lesson it teaches--what can be accomplished by children given proper discipline, proper atmosphere, environment, all to the end of guiding their little minds into the proper channels. Music must naturally be born with one, but parents can all make little geniuses if they focus and concentrate their attention upon the little ones at home.
       Hornell is proud of the Schafer children.
• Francis A. Shafer and Gertrude R. Ingraham appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Hornell, Steuben County, New York, at 48 Washington Street. Other members of the household included Francis A. Shafer, Genevieve Shafer and Ruth Virginia Shafer.
• He was working in a silk mill, according to the 1930 census.
• Francis A. Shafer and Gertrude R. Ingraham appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Hornell, New York, at 48 Washington Street.
• He was employed as a mechanical helper by the state highway, according to the 1940 census.
• Francis A. Shafer became a widower at the 14 July 1959 death of his wife Gertrude R. Ingraham.
• Francis A. Shafer died on 13 March 1961 at age 80 in Hornell, Steuben County, New York.

• Last Edited: 3 Jan 2016