John P. Schaeffer1,2,3,4,5,6 
M, (1847 - 22 October 1888)
John P. Schaeffer was born in 1847. He married Eliza Billeison, age 24, daughter of Jacob Albert Billeisen and Elizabeth Scholderer, on Tuesday, 15 November 1870 at Ross County, Ohio.7,5,6 John P. Schaeffer died on 22 October 1888 at 106 South Walnut Street, Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, at age 41 years.4
John P.'s surname has also been spelled as Schaffer.2,1 His obituary was published sometime in October 1888 in the local paper, printed in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. His obituary stated:
The suicide of John P. Schaeffer last Monday morning was a shocking piece of intelligence to the people of this city. Mr. Schaeffer was well and favorably known to every citizen of Chillicothe, and he was the last person one would suspect of committing such a rash act.
For a year of more Mr. Schaeffer had been in poor health, and for a week prior to killing himself he had been confined to his residence, corner of Walnut and Fifth streets. He had financial obligations due and claims were pressing him which he was not in a condition to meet. He brooded and worried over his affairs and spent several sleepless nights. With a body weak from sickness and a mind crazed from worrying, he was not accountable for his action.
Monday morning Mr. Schaeffer executed deeds conveying his sister, Mrs. Eberle, and the Billeisen property on Short Water street to Andrew Hellmuth. About an hour afterward Mr. Robert Doyle called to see Mr. Schaeffer, and had just rung the door bell, which was answered by Mrs. M. V. Morris, when the discharge of a revolver was heard. Mr. Schaeffer had started for the summer kitchen and before reaching it had placed the muzzle of a revolver at his right temple and sent a bullet into his brain. Death was instantaneous.
A story has gone afloat that Mr. Doyle was accompanied by Mr. S. F. Garrett, and that they had gone down to press Mr. Schaeffer for a claim. Mr. Garrett was on his way to the Schaeffer residence, but was half a block away when the shooting occurred. He had no claim on Mr. Schaeffer and was about to call upon him, as he had done several times the week before, as a friend to help him out of his trouble. Mr. Doyle had called to make arrangements with Mr. Schaeffer for selling his residence on Caldwell street.
At the time of the shooting Mr. J. Philip Gartner and Mr. Jacob D. Coles were on their way to Mr. Schaeffer's, having made arrangements for obtaining money that would have been discharged the pressing obligations that were being made upon Mr. Schaeffer.
The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Sexton conducting the services. Deceased carried life insurance policies amounting to $13,000.
Mr. Schaeffer was engaged extensively in the tobacco business, and was a popular gentleman. Two years ago he was the Democratic candidate for Auditor of this county, but was defeated.4
The obituary for Eliza Billeison on 25 December 1924 Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, listed John P. Schaeffer as her deceased husband.5
John P.'s surname has also been spelled as Schaffer.2,1 His obituary was published sometime in October 1888 in the local paper, printed in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. His obituary stated:
The suicide of John P. Schaeffer last Monday morning was a shocking piece of intelligence to the people of this city. Mr. Schaeffer was well and favorably known to every citizen of Chillicothe, and he was the last person one would suspect of committing such a rash act.
For a year of more Mr. Schaeffer had been in poor health, and for a week prior to killing himself he had been confined to his residence, corner of Walnut and Fifth streets. He had financial obligations due and claims were pressing him which he was not in a condition to meet. He brooded and worried over his affairs and spent several sleepless nights. With a body weak from sickness and a mind crazed from worrying, he was not accountable for his action.
Monday morning Mr. Schaeffer executed deeds conveying his sister, Mrs. Eberle, and the Billeisen property on Short Water street to Andrew Hellmuth. About an hour afterward Mr. Robert Doyle called to see Mr. Schaeffer, and had just rung the door bell, which was answered by Mrs. M. V. Morris, when the discharge of a revolver was heard. Mr. Schaeffer had started for the summer kitchen and before reaching it had placed the muzzle of a revolver at his right temple and sent a bullet into his brain. Death was instantaneous.
A story has gone afloat that Mr. Doyle was accompanied by Mr. S. F. Garrett, and that they had gone down to press Mr. Schaeffer for a claim. Mr. Garrett was on his way to the Schaeffer residence, but was half a block away when the shooting occurred. He had no claim on Mr. Schaeffer and was about to call upon him, as he had done several times the week before, as a friend to help him out of his trouble. Mr. Doyle had called to make arrangements with Mr. Schaeffer for selling his residence on Caldwell street.
At the time of the shooting Mr. J. Philip Gartner and Mr. Jacob D. Coles were on their way to Mr. Schaeffer's, having made arrangements for obtaining money that would have been discharged the pressing obligations that were being made upon Mr. Schaeffer.
The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Sexton conducting the services. Deceased carried life insurance policies amounting to $13,000.
Mr. Schaeffer was engaged extensively in the tobacco business, and was a popular gentleman. Two years ago he was the Democratic candidate for Auditor of this county, but was defeated.4
The obituary for Eliza Billeison on 25 December 1924 Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, listed John P. Schaeffer as her deceased husband.5
Children of John P. Schaeffer and Eliza Billeison
- Elizabeth Schaffer1,5 (20 Jun 1872 - 12 Mar 1939)
- George B. Schaeffer+5 (bt 1875 - 1879 - )
- Claude B. Schaffer2,5 (25 Nov 1878 - 25 May 1933)
Last Edited=18 Mar 2010
Citations
- [S1501] Ross County, Ohio, "Ohio Deaths 1908-1953," death certificate no. 19893 (file no.) 81 (reg. no.), "Elizabeth McFadgen," 14 March 1939; digitial image, FamilySearch Labs, Record Search (http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/ : accessed 13 April 2008).
- [S1500] Ross County, Ohio, "Ohio Deaths 1908-1953," death certificate no. 30274 (file no.) 114 (reg. no.), "Claude B. Schaffer," 1 June 1933; digitial image, FamilySearch Labs, Record Search (http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/ : accessed 25 March 2008).
- [S681] Transcribed in the 1930's by the Nathaniel Massie Chapter DAR, Ross County, Ohio Marriage Records 1850-1899, grooms section, p. 209, line 19, digital image of original published Fort Wayne, Ind.: Fort Wayne Public Library, 1975. (Images online; Ann Arbor, Michigan: ProQuest Information and Learning Company) http://www.heritagequestonline.com/, subscription database, accessed 8 September 2005. This record shows his name as: SCHAEFFER, John.
- [S1099] Suicide of John P. Schaeffer, clipping from an unidentified newspaper presumably from a local paper in Chillicothe, Ohio, October 1888. This obituary was from a card file of copied, alphabetized and dated obituaries that have been compiled by visitors to the library. Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library, Chillicothe, Ohio.
- [S1098] Mrs. Eliza Schaeffer obituary, clipping from an unidentified newspaper presumably from a local paper in Chillicothe, Ohio, 25 December 1924. This obituary was from a card file of copied, alphabetized and dated obituaries that have been compiled by visitors to the library. Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library, Chillicothe, Ohio.
- [S1097] Death of Jersey Billeisen, clipping from an unidentified newspaper presumably from a local paper in Chillicothe, Ohio, 3 December 1908. This obituary was from a card file of copied, alphabetized and dated obituaries that have been compiled by visitors to the library. Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library, Chillicothe, Ohio.
- [S681] Transcribed in the 1930's by the Nathaniel Massie Chapter DAR, Ross County, Ohio Marriage Records 1850-1899, grooms section, p. 209, line 19. Online http://www.heritagequestonline.com/, accessed 8 September 2005. This record shows: BILLEISEN, Eliza SCHAEFFER, John 15 Nov 1870.