I am writing genealogical sketches, and then will write AI-assisted biographies, of my wife's ancestors by ancestral couple, not by individual ancestor.
Here is the genealogical sketch for Linda's maternal grandparents Paul Frederick Schaffner (1879-1934) and Edna Catrherine McKnew Schaffner (1884-1974), who married in San Francisco, California in June 1906.
(Paul and Edna (McKnew) Schaffner Family in about 1925 - from family sources, colorized by MyHeritage)
1) Paul Frederick Schaffner Early Life
Paul Frederick Schaffner was born in August 1879 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.[1-2] He was the first son of three children born to Herman Schaffner (1851-1921) and Mary Ann Paul (1854-1894), who married by 1876. The children included:
• Paul Frederick Schaffner, born August 1879, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Edna Catherine McKnew, 24 June 1906, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 29 May 1934, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
• Herman Schaffner, born June 1881, San Francisco, San Francisco, California,; married Henrietta Hollwegs, 6 September 1908, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 21 September 1931, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
• Frederick W. Schaffner, born 15 March 1889, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Violet E. Savery, about 1911, California, United States; died 30 October 1952, San Mateo, California.
In the 1900 United States census, the Herman Schaffner household resided at 1014 Castro Street in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.[2] The household included:
• H. Shaftner - head, white, male, born Nov 1851, age 48, married, for 25 years, born New York, parents born Germany/Germany, Grand Secretary, can speak English, can read and write, owns home with a mortgage.
• Mary Shaftner - wife, white, female, born Nov 1854, age 45, married, for 25 years, 3 children born, 3 living, born Massachusetts, parents born Canada/Ireland, can speak English, can read and write
• Paul Shaftner - son, white, male, born Aug 1878, age 21, single, born California, parents born New York/Ireland, stenographer, can speak English, can read and write
• Herman Shaftner - son, white, male, born June 1881, age 18, single, born California, parents born New York/Ireland, stenographer, can speak English, can read and write
• Fredie Shaftner - son, white, male, born Mar 1888, age 12, single, born California, parents born New York/Ireland, at school, can speak English, can read and write
2) Edna Catherine McKnew Early Life
Edna Catherine McKnew was born on 7 March 1884 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California.[3-5] She was the fifth daughter and eighth child (of eleven children) of Elijah Pickrell McKnew (1836-1912)and Jane Whittle (1847-1921), who married in 1865. Edna’s siblings included:
• Allethia Jane McKnew, born 25 November 1867, Tuolumne, California; married (1) John William Runnels, 12 Aug 1887, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married John F. Harper, after 1912, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 21 April 1959, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
• Alfred Rodney McKnew, born 23 February 1869, Tuolumne, California; married Alice G. McCann, 10 April 1889, Alameda, California; died 23 November 1943, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
• Henry Lee McKnew, born December 1870, Tuolumne, California; married Anna Marie Goff, about 1892, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 1 August 1934, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
• Alice Louise McKnew, born 24 December 1872, Tuolumne, California; married Phineas Durkee Hayes, about 1895, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 1 June 1959, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
• Lilly M. McKnew, born 15 August 1876, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married (1) George Ludwig Olsen, about 1895, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married (2) Charles Aloysius Gardiner, before 1920, California; died 22 May 1958, Burlingame, San Mateo, California.
• George Morgan McKnew was born on 2 January 1879 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California. He died on 15 April 1944 at the age of 65 in Kern, California.
• Belle Alberta McKnew, born 17 February 1882, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married (1) George Frederick Samwell, 12 September 1904, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married (2) Paul Ewald, 23 April 1928, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 15 December 1975, Union City, Alameda, California.
• Edna Catherine McKnew, born 7 March 1884, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Paul Frederick Schaffner, 24 June 1906, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 11 November 1974, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
• May Jane McKnew, born May 1886, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married William Charles Kenealy, 19 Feb 1908, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; died 10 November 1918, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
• Leland Joseph McKnew, born 6 June 1889, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Agnes Matilde Hansen, 23 December 1909, Marin, California; died 28 November 1933, Sacramento, California.
• Gladys Hazel McKnew, born 22 August 1892, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Henry F. Rose, 17 May 1916, Alameda, California; died 1 June 1955, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
The McKnew family came to San Francisco from Tuolumne County, California in about 1876, and lived at what is now 4131 19th Street in the Castro District of San Francisco. The family is not in the 1880 United States census.
In the 1900 United States Census, this family was enumerated at 4131 19th Street in Assembly District 36, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.[6] The household included:
• Elijah P. McKnew - head of household, white, male, born Mar 1837, age 63, married, for 35 years, born Maryland, parents born Maryland/Maryland, no occupation, owns home with a mortgage
• Jane McKnew - wife, white, female, born Aug 1847, age 52, married, for 35 years, 11 children born, 11 living, born Australia, parents born England/England, immigrated in 1850, resident of US for 50 years
• Bell A. McKnew - daughter, white, female, born Feb 1882, age 18, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia
• Edna C. McKnew - daughter, white, female, born Mar 1884, age 16, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia, milliner
• May J. McKnew - daughter, white, female, born May 1886, age 14, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia
• Leland J. McKnew - son, white, male, born June 1889, age 10, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia, at school
• Gladys H. McKnew - daughter, white, female, born Aug 1891, age 8, single, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia, at school
The McKnew family resided at 4131 19th Street in San Francisco when the Great San Francisco Earthquake hit on 19 April 1906. All family members, and the house survived the earthquake and the fire that burned to within one block of their home. The home was damaged and subsequently repaired. The family has a priceless photograph of family members on the street accompanied by their stove and other household items taken soon after the earthquake. Note the house street number above the front door – 4131.
(McKnew family photograph in 1906 from family sources)
3. Marriage and Family Life
Paul F. Schaffner (age 26, resident of San Francisco) and Edna C. McKnew (age 22, resident of San Francisco), were married on 24 June 1906 in San Francisco,[6-7] only two months after the earthquake. The service was performed by E.G. Keith, clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with witnesses May McKnew (Edna’s sister) and Herman Schaffner, Jr. (Paul’s brother).
Paul Frederick Schaffner and Edna Catherine McKnew had the following children:[6]
• Muriel Jean Schaffner, born 23 January 1909, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Samuel Blair Mertes, 22 August 1930, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, one child; died 21 December 1994, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
• Edna May Schaffner, born 9 November 1913, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married Leo Severt Leland, 11 September 1937, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, two children; died 27 March 1979, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
In the 1910 United States census, the Paul Schaffner family resided with his father and brother at 1134 Carter Street in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.[8] The household included:
• Herman Schaffner - head, male, white, age 58, widowed, born New York, parents born Germany/Germany, a secretary, works for Fraternal - Knights of Pythias, owns home free of mortgage
• Paul F. Schaffner - son, male, white, age 31, first marriage, married 4 years, born California, parents born New York/Massachusetts, a clerk, works for oil company
• Edna Schaffner - daughter-in-law, female, white, age 26, first marriage, married 4 years, 1 child born, 1 living, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia
• Frederick Schaffner - son, male, white, age 21, single, born California, parents born New York/Massachusetts, a clerk, works for dried fruit company
• Muriel E. Schaffner - granddaughter, female, white, age 1-1/12, single, born California, parents born California/California
In the 1920 United States census, the Paul Schaffner family resided at 46 Rivoli Street in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.[9] The household included:
• Paul Schaffner - head, rents home, male, white, age 40, married, born California, parents born New York/Massachusetts, a manager, works for Oil Company
• Edna Schaffner - wife, female, white, age 38, married, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia
• Muriel Schaffner - daughter, female, white, age 10, single, born California, parents born California/California
• Edna Schaffner - daughter, female, white, age 6, single, born California, parents born California/California
In the 1930 United States census, the Paul Schaffner family resided at 46 Rivoli Street in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California.[10] The household included:
• Paul Schaeffner - head, owns home, worth $10,000, male, white, age 49, married, first at age 26, born California, parents born New York/Massachusetts, a bookkeeper, works for Oil Company
• Edna Schaeffner - wife, female, white, age 46, married, first at age 26, born California, parents born Maryland/Australia
• Muriel Schaeffner - daughter, female, white, age 21, single, born California, parents born California/California
• Edna Schaeffner - daughter, female, white, age 16, single, born California, parents born California/California
Paul Frederick Schaffner died on Tuesday, 29 May 1934 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California at the age of 55.[11] He was inurned at Cypress Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo County, California.[1]
An obituary for Paul Schaffner was published in the San Mateo [Calif.] Times, dated 31 May 1934:
“Masonic Rites for Kin of Local Man
“Funeral services under Masonic auspices will be held in San Francisco tomorrow afternoon for Paul F. Schaffner, 55, oil company executive, fraternal leader and a native of the bay city, and brother of Frederick Schaffner of 147 Crescent avenue, Burlingame. Death occurred Tuesday night from heart disease.
“Schaffner was a past master of Amity lodge of San Francisco Masons and a member of the Scottish Rite and Islam temple of the Shrine. He is survived by a widow and two daughters. The brother here is a branch manager of the Bank of America.
“Following rites tomorrow, inurnment will be in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Lawndale.”
Another obituary was published in the San Francisco [Calif.] Chronicle newspaper, dated Thursday, 31 May 1934 (page 11, column 4):[12]
“Death Claims Oil Manager
Paul Schaffner Victim of Heart Disease
“Paul F. Schaffner, 55, manager of the Valvoline Oil Company here, and for many years a leader in fraternal circles, is dead after a short illness. He succumbed Tuesday night to heart disease.
“A native of San Francisco, he was a past master of Amity Lodge, No. 370, of the Masons, and member of the Scottish Rite and Islam Temple of the Shrine.
“He is survived by his wife, Edna; two daughters, Mrs. S. Blair Mertes and Edna May Schaffner, and a brother, Fred Schaffner.
“Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Mission Masonic Temple, 2668 Mission Street, under auspices of Amity Lodge. Friends may call at the chapel of Gantner and Maison, 771 Valencia street, until tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Inurnment will be in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park.”
4) Edna’s Later Life
Both of the Schaffner daughters married in the 1930’s and started their own families. Daughter Muriel’s family lived with Edna at 46 Rivoli Street through the rest of Edna’s life.
In the 1940 United States Census, Edna was enumerated with her daughter’s family in the Blair Mertes household at 46 Rivoli Street in the 25th Ward of San Francisco.[13] The extracted information for this household:
• S. Blair Mertes - owns home, value of home is $6,000, head of household, male, white, age 39, married, not in school, completed 9th grade of high school, born in California, resided in same place in 1935, was at work during week of March 24-30, worked 40 hours during week of March 24-30, occupation was Pressman, industry is Commercial Printing, a paid worker, worked 52 weeks in 1939, earned $2,900 in 1939.
• Muriel S. Mertes - wife, provided household information, female, white, age 31, married, not in school, completed 9th grade of high school, born in California, resided in same place in 1935, did not work during week of March 24-30, engaged in housework, no occupation, worked 0 weeks in 1939, did not receive over $50 in income during 1939.
• Jean M. Mertes - daughter, female, white, age 6, single, attends school, completed 0 years of school, born in California, resided in same place in 1935.
• Edna C. Schaffner - mother-in-law, female, white, age 55, widowed, not in school, completed grade 8, born in California, resided in same house in 1935, did not work during week of March 24-30, unable to work, worked 0 weeks in 1939, did not receive over $50 in income during 1939.
In the 1950 United States census, the Edna C. Schaffner family resided at 46 Rivoli Street in San Francisco, California.[14] The household included:
• Edna C. Schaffner, head of household, white, female, age 65, widowed, born in California, a home worker, did no work last week, not looking for work, has no job.
Muriel Mertes, daughter, white, female, age 41, married, born in California, a home worker, did no work last week, not looking for work, has no job.
• Blair S. Mertes, son in law, white, male, age 43, married, born California, Working, worked 37.5 hours last week, a printing pressman, works in commercial printing. Lived in same house last year, father born U.S., mother born U.S., completed 12 years of school, not presently in school, worked 48 weeks last year, earned $5300 in wages last year, relatives in household earned no money last year, did not earn money as a business, did not earn income as interest, dividends, pensions, rent, etc. Served in the military (other than World War I and II).
• Jean M. Mertes, granddaughter, white, female, age 16, never married, born California, OTher work, did no work last week, not looking for work, has no job.
Edna’s grandchildren fondly recalled her as “Oo Hoo” (she would call out “Yoo Hoo” when she would answer the door when family came calling at the Rivoli Street house), and as very loving, kind and happy. She was very involved in their lives, and attended family and holiday celebrations at their home. She often would bring Cecil Bruner roses from her garden to her daughters and granddaughters.
Edna Catherine (McKnew) Schaffner died on Monday, 11 November 1974 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California at the age of 90 years.[3-5] She was inurned at Cypress Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo County, California.[15]
The death notice of Edna Catherine (McKnew) Schaffner was published in the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper on 12 November 1974, page 22.[16]
"SCHAFFNER, Edna C. -- Nov. 11, 1974, Edna C. Schaffner, beloved wife of the late Paul F. Schaffner; loved mother of Muriel Mertes and Edna Leland; devoted grandmother of Jean duBos, Linda Seaver and Paul Leland; also survived by three grandchildren; 63-year member of Amity Chapter No. 99, O.E.S.
"Services Wednesday afternoon, 2 o'clock, at HALSTED & CO., 1123 Sutter St.; Officers of Amity Chapr No. 99, O.E.S. officiating. Inurnment, Cypress Lawn Memorial Park. Memorial gifts to Cancer Dressing Station, O.E.S., or Shriners Hospital."
5. SOURCES
1. Find A Grave, indexed and imaged, (https://www.findagrave.com), Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, Calif., Paul Frederick Schaffner (1879-1934) memorial #175582036.
2. 1900 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, San Francisco city; ED 132, Sheet 13B, Lines 57-61, H. Shaftner household; imaged, “1900 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T623, Roll 103.
3. "California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), San Francisco County, Edna C. Schaffner (1884-1974) death entry, 11 November 1974
4. Social Security Administration, "U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014," database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), Edna C. Schaffner (1884-1974) entry.
5. "California, San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1895-1985," imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), Edna Catherine Schaffner entry, 1974.
6. McKnew/Leland family records, Paul F. Schaffner and Edna C. McKnew marriage record, 24 June 1906, held by Paul C. Leland.
7. "California, San Francisco, County Records, 1824-1997," imaged, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Marriages, Marriage Certificate Index (Brides), Vol, 01, 1906-1907, image 119 of 211, Paul F. Schaffner and Edna C. McKnew marriage entry, 24 June 1906.
8. 1910 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, 34th Assembly District, Enumeration District 107, Page 2B, Dwelling #34, Family #37, Herman Schaffner household; imaged, “1910 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T624, Roll 98.
9. 1920 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, 27th Assembly District, Enumeration District 338, Page 9A, Dwelling #69, Family #103, Paul Schaffner household; imaged, “1920 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T625, Roll 142.
10. 1930 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, 27th Assembly District, Enumeration District 177, Page 21B, Dwelling #379, Family #463, Paul Schaeffner household, online database and digital image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T626, Roll 201.
11. "California Death Index, 1905-1939." online database, FamilySearch (https://www.FamilySearch.org), San Francisco County, Paul F. Schaffner (1879-1934) entry, 29 May 1934.
12. "Death Claims Oil Manager, Paul Schaffner Victim of Heart Disease," San Francisco [Calif.] Chronicle newspaper, 31 May 1934, page 11, column 4, Paul F. Schaffner obituary; imaged, GenealogyBank (https://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 6 October 2014), Newspaper Archives collection.
13. 1940 United States Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, San Francisco Ward 25, ED 38-361, Page 7B, Household 183, S. Blair Mertes household; imaged, “1940 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T-627, Roll 311.
14. 1950 United States Census, San Francisco County, California, San Francisco, ED 38-1100, Sheet 10, Household 132, Lines 7-10, Edna C. Schaffner household; imaged, U.S. National Archives, 1950 Census (https://1950census.archives.gov/ : accessed 1 April 2022).
15. Find A Grave, Cypress View Memorial Park, Colma, Calif., Edna Catherine McKnew Schaffner (1884-1974) memorial # 87615106.
16. "Schaffner, Edna C.," San Francisco [Calif.] Chronicle newspaper, 2 November 1974, page 22, Edna C. Schaffner death notice; imaged, GenealogyBank (https://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 6 October 2014), Newspaper Archives collection.
6) Relationship
Paul Frederick Schaffner (1879-1934) and Edna Catherine (McKnew) Schaffner (1884-1974) are the maternal grandparents of my wife, Linda (Leland) Seaver(1942-still living), through her mother Edna May Schaffner (1913-1979) who married Leo Severt Leland (1911-2002) in 1937 in San Francisco.
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