Background
Schaeffer, Frederick David was born on November 15, 1760 in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. Son of Johann Jakob and Susanna Maria Schaeffer.
Schaeffer, Frederick David was born on November 15, 1760 in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. Son of Johann Jakob and Susanna Maria Schaeffer.
After teaching in York County, Pennsylvania, he studied theology with Jacob Goering, was licensed to preach in 1786, and ordained in 1788.
In 1768 he was sent to the gymnasium in Hanau. In 1776 he emigrated with an uncle to the United States, but shortly after their arrival the uncle died, and he was left destitute. In 1834, in consequence of the infirmities of age, he relinquished the ministry, and moved to Frederick, Maryland.
He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1813 from the University of Pennsylvania.
Schaeffer was a close student, a fine classical scholar, and a good Hebraist. He was most effective in his teaching of children.
They had eight children, four of whom became Lutheran clergymen: David Frederick, Frederick Christian, Charles Frederick and Frederick Solomon. The last named died at 25, leaving a son, Charles William, to become a Lutheran clergyman.
Married Rosina Rosenmuller, 1786, 8 children, including David Frederick, Frederick Christian, Charles Frederick, Frederick Solomon.