He was born in 1832/33, in Bellefonte, [Centre County,] Pennsylvania. [sources: date: 6 (29 in 1862), 7 (29 in 1862), 12-13 (49th year of his age in 1882), 14 (36 in 1870), 15 (48 in 1880). place: 6, 7 (Belfonte PA), 13, 14, 15]
When he enlisted, he was a currier, and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 6, 7]
When he enlisted, he was 6 feet 1 inch tall, and had a dark complexion, dark eyes, and dark hair. [sources: 6, 7]
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private on 2 January 1862, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Sinex. He was a private in company A. [sources: 1, 6, 7, 16-25 (A or G?)]
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. [source: 11]
On 26 August 1863, Sinex reported that he was still reported as a teamster at Corps Headquarters. [source: 4]
He started working as Colonel Gregory's hostler on 17 October 1863, and was still his hostler on 14 November 1863, and 30 December 1863. [sources: 2, 3, 5]
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 25 February 1864. [sources: 1, 7]
On 13 October 1864, he was reported absent sick. [source: 10]
He was absent, sick, when the regiment mustered out on 10 July 1865. He was a private. [sources: 1, 6 (absent wounded), 7, 16-25 (A or G?)]
On 16 September 1865, he applied successfully for a pension. [sources: 8, 9]
In 1870, he was living in ward 16, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his (presumed) wife Catharine, and two others. He was a watchman, and owned $400 in personal property. [source: 14]
In 1880, he was living at 456 Kerr Street, ward 12, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Cathrine and a servant. He was a night watchman. He was disabled; his 'kidney aftd' [= was affected?]. [source: 15]
On 8 July 1882, he died, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died of diabetes. On 12 July 1882, he was buried, initially in Palmer Vault, and then in North Cedar Hill Cemetery. Members of the Colonel Ulric Dahlgren Post, number 14, GAR, camp 3 Sons of Veterans, the surviving members of the 91st, and the police of the Twelfth ward, were invited to attend the funeral, which was held from his residence, 456 Kerr Street. [source: 12, 13]
On 18 November 1882, his widow, Catherine Shafer, applied unsuccessfully for a pension. [sources: 8, 9]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (Henry G Shaeffer)
2 letter, Gregory to Marvin, 14 November 1863 (Henry Schaefer)
3 letter, Sellers to Marvin, 30 December 1863
4 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 26 August 1863
5 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 23 October 1863 (Priv Schaeffer)
6 company A descriptive book, entry 70 (Henry J Scheaffer)
7 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (Henry G Shaeffer, rolls also have middle initial 'J')
8 pension index, by regiment (Henry Scheafer [?--could be Schiefer])
9 pension index, by name (Henry J Schafer)
10 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 13 October 1864 (Privt Shaeffer)
11 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (H G Shaeffer)
12 death notice, Philadelphia inquirer Wednesday 12 July 1882, page 4 (Henry J Schaffer)
13 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 8 July 1881 (Henry J Schiefer)
14 1870 US census Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 16, district 48, microfilm series M593, film 1401, page 274 recto = 219 handwritten (FamilySearch) (Henry Schiefer)
15 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, enumeration district 209, ward 12, division 13, microfilm series T9, film 1173, page 149 = 14 B handwritten (Henry Shiefer)
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry C Schieffer)
17 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry C Scheifer)
18 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry C Schuffer)
19 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry C Scaeffer)
20 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry C Scaeffer)
21 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry C Schaffer)
22 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry J Scheaffer)
23 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry J Schiefer)
24 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry C Shoffer)
25 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Henry C Shaeffer)
| line | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| Dwelling-house number | 1608 | |||
| Family number | 1736 | |||
| Name | Schiefer Henry | - Catharine | Nuskey [??] Geo | - Lizzie |
| Age | 36 | 37 | 31 | 28 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F |
| Color | w | w | w | w |
| Occupation | Watchman | Keeps House | Works in Rolling Mill | |
| Real estate value | ||||
| Personal estate value | 400 | |||
| Birthplace | Penn | Penn | Penn | Conn |
| Father foreign born | ||||
| Mother foreign born | ||||
| Birth month if born within year | ||||
| Marriage month if married within year | Mar | Mar | ||
| Attended school past year | ||||
| Can't read | ||||
| Can't write | 1 | |||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | 1 | ||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| street name | Kerr Street | ||
| house number | 456 | ||
| dwelling visit # | 105 | ||
| family visit # | 119 | ||
| name | Schiefer Henry | - Cathrine | Dittnif [?] Hannah |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | F |
| age | 48 | 46 | 57 |
| month born if born in year | |||
| relationship | Wife | Servant | |
| single | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | |
| widowed/divorced | |||
| married during year | |||
| occupation | night Watchman | Keeps House | H Servant |
| months unemployed | |||
| currently ill? | Kidney aftd [sic] | ||
| blind | |||
| deaf/dumb | |||
| idiotic | |||
| insane | |||
| disabled | 1 | ||
| school this year | |||
| can't read | |||
| can't write | |||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Phila | Phila |
| father's birthplace | Wurtembg | Prussia | Unknown |
| mother's birthplace | Wurtembg | Penna | |
SCHAFFER.--On the 8th inst., HENRY J. SCHAFFER, in the forty-ninth year of his age.
The relatives and friends of the family, also Col. Ulric Dahlgren Post, No. 14, G.A.R., and Camp 3, S. of V.; also the surviving members of the Ninety-first Regiment, P.V.V., and the G.A.R. in general, and the police of the Twelfth ward, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, this afternoon, at 2 o'clock, from his residence, No 456 Kerr street, between Fifth and Lawrence streets. To proceed to Palmer vault.