Genevieve Shafer

Genevieve Shafer

• Father: Francis A. Shafer b. 13 September 1880, d. 13 March 1961
• Mother: Gertrude R. Ingraham b. October 1886, d. 14 July 1959

• Genevieve Shafer was born on 1 October 1911 in Hornell, Steuben County, New York.
• 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 Genevieve Shafer, Gertrude E. Shafer and Francis A. Shafer.
• 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.
• She witnessed the marriage of Joseph A. Donaldson and Gertrude E. Shafer on 24 January 1927 in Hornell, Steuben County, New York, at St. Ann's Church; with the Rev. F. J. Naughten officiating.
• 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 Genevieve Shafer, Francis A. Shafer and Ruth Virginia Shafer.
• She was working in a silk mill, according to the 1930 census.
• She married Eldyn Thomas Boyd on 1 December 1930 in Wellsville, Allegany County, New York, by license issued the same day in Hornell, with Rev. W. E. Windsor officiating. Witnesses were Wayne and Sarah Marsh of Andover, New York.
• Eldyn Thomas Boyd and Genevieve Shafer appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Hornell, Steuben County, New York, at 178 East Avenue. Other members of the household included Eldyn Thomas Boyd Jr.
• Genevieve Shafer became a widow at the 19 September 1982 death of her husband Eldyn Thomas Boyd.
• Genevieve Shafer died on 9 January 1996 at age 84 in San Diego County, California.

• Last Edited: 4 Jan 2016