Résumé

Principal, Fisk J. Shaffer, Master Carpenter, Helena, MT, c. 1870.

Partner, Shaffer and [James F.] Stranahan, Architects and Building Superintendents, Helena, MT. In 1889, Shaffer and Stranahan had their offices in the Atlas Building, third floor.

Partner, Shaffer and Read, Building Contractors, Helena, MT, c. 1890-1891.

Partner, Shaffer and Moncrieff, Building Contractors, Seattle, WA, c. 1905. His professional address was the same as his home address in 1904-1905.

Relocation

Shaffer was born c. 1844 in MI. The US Census of 1850 indicated that he lived in Lockport, MI, with his parents and two brothers. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1850; Census Place: Lockport, St Joseph, Michigan; Roll: M432_362; Page: 390B; Image: 548, accessed 08/15/2017.) The family had moved to Centreville, MI, as per the US Census of 1860. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1860; Census Place: Centreville, St Joseph, Michigan; Roll: M653_561; Page: 142; Family History Library Film: 803561, accessed 08162017.)

Shaffer lived with a wealthy flour merchant. Joseph W. Hartwell (1834-1899), in Helena, MT, by 1870. He worked as a master carpenter at that time. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1870; Census Place: Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana Territory; Roll: M593_827; Page: 190B; Image: 218593; Family History Library Film: 552326, accessed 08162017.)

By 1883, Fisk J. Shaffer probably lived in Juneau, AK, where his son, Thomas, was born. A year later, Bureau of Land Management land records indicated that he was in Teton, MT, on 06/20/1884. He lived at 15 East 14th Avenue in Helena, MT, in 1890, according to the Helena, MT, City Directory, 1890-1891. Another land record indicated that he may have resided in Jefferson, MT, on 11/02/1892. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records; Washington D.C., USA; Federal Land Patents, State Volumes, accessed 08162017.)

In 1904-1905, Shaffer resided at 1730 14th Avenue, in Seattle, WA. (See Polk's Seattle Directory Company,Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1904, p. 1275 and Polk's Seattle Directory Company,Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1905, p. 1085.)

He resided at 1511 11th Avenue West from at least 1913 until 1920.(See R.L. Polk and Company's Seattle, WA, City Directory, 1913, p. 1863 and Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Seattle Ward 3, King, Washington; Roll: T624_1659; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0158; FHL microfilm: 1375672, accessed 08/15/2017.) In 1920, the US Census indicated that his household included his daughter, Beatrice A. Shaffer Bartell, son-in-law George H. Bartell, Sr., (1868-1956), granddaughter Amy Ellyn Bartell Meakin (1906-1998), son, Thomas Winfield Shaffer, (born 11/13/1883 in Juneau, AK-d. d. 02/05/1941), and two Finnish-Swedish servants, Hanna Blomquist (born c. 1882) and Katrine Blomquist (born c. 1892). In 1897, Beatrice, then a housekeeper, married George Henry Bartell, Sr., on 10/18/1905 in Seattle, WA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Collection Title: Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013; Reference Number: kingcoarchmr_08240, accessed 08162017.) Bartell, a KS native, would found Bartell's Owl Drugs, which became, by 2017, the oldest family-owned pharmacy chain in the US.

Shaffer also had a residence on Route 1 in Edmonds, WA, in 09/1918. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Registration State: Alaska; Registration County: First Judicial District; Roll: 1473297, accessed 08/15/2017.)

The US Census of 1920, listed him, at age 75, living in Juneau, AK, again, with his wife and son, Thomas. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Sitka, First Judicial District, Alaska Territory; Roll: T625_2030; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 10, accessed 08162017.)

He died in Alderwood Manor, WA, at the age of 80.

Parents

His father was Thomas R. Shaffer. In 1850, Thomas Shaffer worked as a carpenter. His mother was Mary Shaffer (born c. 1826 in England). Brothers in 1850 included Melvin B. (born c. 1843 in MI) and Charles H. (born c. 04/1850 in MI). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1850; Census Place: Lockport, St Joseph, Michigan; Roll: M432_362; Page: 390B; Image: 548, accessed 08/15/2017.) In 1860, the family consisted of the parents, Melvin and Fisk and James (born c. 1853 in MI), Athella (born c. 1855 in MI), and Frank (born c. 1857 in MI), as well as two servants, Sarah Duncan (born c. 1837 in PA) and Ann Duncan (born c. 1838 in MI). Thomas R. Shaffer worked as a cabinetmaker in Centreville, MI, in 1860. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1860; Census Place: Centreville, St Joseph, Michigan; Roll: M653_561; Page: 142; Family History Library Film: 803561, accessed 08162017.)

Spouse

He married Amy Eva Plummer Shaffer (b. c. 1857-d. 08/05/1935 in Seattle, WA) Amy's last name was recorded as "Plummer" in one document, and "Ellis" in another. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Collection Title: Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013; Reference Number: kingcoarchmr_08240, accessed 08162017.) They married on 01/26/1875 in Lewis and Clark County, MT.

Children

He and Amy had had five children by 1910, only three of whom were recorded by the US Census as being alive. Those alive included Beatrice Adythe.Shaffer Bartell (d. 03/20/1969 in Seattle, WA) and son Thomas Winfield Shaffer, (born 11/13/1883 in Juneau, AK-d. d. 02/05/1941), Thomas Winfield Shaffer became a Canadian citizen and a mining engineer. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Seattle Ward 3, King, Washington; Roll: T624_1659; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0158; FHL microfilm: 1375672, accessed 08/15/2017.)