My Genealogy Hound

Capt. E. B. Shafer, of Edina, Mo., was born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 25, 1844, and is a son of John L. and Mary A. (Burton) Shafer, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Our subject’s parents died in Ohio when he was a small lad, and he then resided with his uncle, M. M. Bope, with whom he came to Knox County, Mo., in 1856. He then followed farming in this county until the war broke out, when, July 15, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company E, Twenty-first Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and afterward became first sergeant after the battle of Shiloh. He soon afterward became second lieutenant, and was promoted to the first lieutenancy in 1864, and in August of that year was made captain of his company, being mustered out at Fort Morgan, April 19, 1860. After the war he farmed in this county until December, 1884, when he sold his farm and removed to Edina, and after a westward trip, in September, 1886, engaged in the grocery and provision business in Edina on the southwest corner of the public square, where he has since carried on a successful business. April 21, 1868, he married Miss Anna M., daughter of James Cody, of Edina. They have eight children: James R., J. Charles, Eugene A., Mary A., Estella M., Lucina, Gertrude and Francis J. Capt. Shafer was originally a Democrat in politics, but of late years has become independent in his views. He is a member of the G. A. R., and himself and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is one of the best known and most respected citizens of the county, and is a successful and reliable business man.