California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 CHARLES CHRISTIAN SCHAFFER.� There is perhaps nowhere in the county of Mendocino to be found a character of deeper sympathy, braver heart and more courageous spirit, in spite of the handicap of physical disability and the many sacrifices incident to such misfortune, than is found in the exemplary life of Charles Christian Schaffer, who for the past few years, through a stroke of paralysis, has been robbed of some of his vigor and strength. Naturally of good health and inured to a life of labor in a saw mill the test of character seems to be the more rigid, but with it all he retains a sweet, even nature which has attracted to him the love of legions of friends and brought him peace in his hours of trial. Mr. Schaffer came to Mendocino county in the year 1873. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 25, 1851, and for a short time attended the com- mon schools in that city, but ere he had reached thirteen years he found it necessary to make his own way in the world, owing to the financial straits in which his parents found themselves. For one year he worked around the city at whatever employment was given him and the following year left the city to work on farms in the vicinity for a time. When he was about twenty- two years old he came to the decision that he could find a more remunerative field for his labors in the west and making his way to California in 1874 he located in Mendocino county, where he soon entered the employ of the Men- docino Mill Company. Three years later, in 1877, he came to Navarro to work for the H. B. Tichenor Company and after working at general work about the mill for a while he received promotion, as his ability became evi- dent, until he became head sawyer of the mill, and this position he held for sixteen years. After this he was sawyer at the Greenwood, Albion, Mendo- cino and Glen Blair mills and also spent four years as sawyer at Cosmopolis, Wash. In 1907, while sawing in the Mendocino mill, he met with an accident. A log rolled on him and broke both of his legs, which laid him up for a year before he could go back to his old place. It was about two years ago that he became disabled as heretofore stated. Mr. Schaffer is fortunate in having a wife whose business ability is such that she can handle all of his affairs with ease and accuracy. Before her marriage, on May 6, 1886, she was Nellie Fletcher, a native of Navarro, Men- docino county, born January 10, 1866. She was educated in her native county and lived with her parents on the home place until her marriage to Mr. Schaffer, which took place in Navarro, where they are now making their home. Five children came to bless this union : Clara, Mrs. Henry Duncan, of Colusa; Charles, of Fort Bragg; Hattie, Mrs. E. P. Thurston, of Ukiah ; Elsie, Mrs. Henry Nystrom, of Mendocino; and Frederick, deceased. Mrs. Schaffer is the daughter of Capt. Charles and Catherine (Tobin) Fletcher, born in Scotland and Ireland, respectively. Her father was a sailor and be- came master of a vessel. Sailing around Cape Horn he arrived in San Fran- cisco in 1849. His first venture was in the mines but it proved unsatisfac- tory, so he gave up the project and returned to San Francisco. Again he became master of a vessel and followed the sea, on one of his trips naming Cuffey's Cove. Subsequently he sailed into Navarro harbor and gave the place its name, after which he located here. Nigger Nat, who came with him, became an historical character in these parts, and as Nigger Nat often referred to their first settlement here, it is undoubtedly true that he and Uncle Charles Fletcher were the two first white men in Navarro. This was in the '50s, and at this time Mr. Fletcher located three hundred twenty acres on the bay. Being a shipbuilder by trade, he engaged in building sailing vessels for the lumber trade. He built the first wharf here, and also had the first store and hotel. He was a large, powerful, well built man, who stood six feet six inches. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher died here. Mrs. Schaffer now owns ihe old place and she and her husband are preserving the first house built in Navarro, which was made of split lumber from one redwood tree. Mrs. Schaffer was educated in local schools and has always made her home here. Mr. Schaffer is a member of Lodge No. 156, W. O. W., of Mendocino city, and in politics unites stanchly with the Democratic party. Their home is a center for many happy gatherings and a hospitable welcome is given to all who enter their door. Highly respected, beloved by all and enjoying the friendship of many, Mr. Schaffer is spending the afternoon of his life in quiet rest with the assurance of having done his duty well and to the best of his ability in spite of many obstacles.