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Note: 1870 census, Homer TN, Benton Co., IA Taylor, Nathan S. 30, NY, Martha M. 27 NY (her foster family before she was orphaned)
Anna (and her brothers and sisters) was orphaned in 1872, at the age of 5. She went to live with Nathan S. and Martha Taylor. Nathan's brother, Solon, had married Agnes Backer, Anna's sister. The Taylors mentioned her in their wills.
1880 is an enigma:
She appears to be with her foster parents, the Taylors, as "Anna 12 servant" (That the Taylors raised her cannot be disputed, given the 1885, 1900 censes and her obit):
1880 census, Benton Co., IA, film 1. 254.326: Homer twp, 2/30/12/35: Taylor, Nathan S. 41 NY faNY moNY (the T looks like a V, so he is probably in the soundex as Vaylor); Martha M. 36 NY faNY moNY; Backer, Anna 12 servant, helps keep house b. IA faHanover moHanover. Solon Taylor has a wife Mary b. at same time Anna's sister Maggie was born.
But is also with her step father and other siblings a mile away, as "Annie M. 12 daughter":
1880 census, Iowa > Benton > Garrison > 032 > p2 of 6, Family #17: Hintil, Henry 47 Saloon Keeper GER GER GER; Catherine 45 wife Keeping house IL GER GER; Sophia C. 15 dau At Home IL GER GER; John 17 son IL GER GER; Fally 19 son at school IA GER GER; Annie M. 12 dau IA GER GER; Wm C. 13 son at school IA GER GER; Mary M. 12 dau at school IA GER GER; Minnie H. 6 dau at school IA GER GER; Emily C. 5 dau at school IA GER GER; Henry C. 3 son IA GER GER; John H. 1 son IA GER GER.
It is either that the Taylors had another girl with the same name and the same age as Anna Mabel Backer, or that she went between the two houses while the census was being taken, and was enumerated at both households.
1885 census, Tama Co., IA Dysart Bulls Addition Main St.: Taylor, Nathan S. lot 2 blk 1 46 farmer NY; Marthy M. 42 NY; Backer (indexed as Backer, but looks like Basker), Anna 17.
Benton Co., IA Register of Marriages (film 0,987,634), p. 304: 3-5-88 H.E. Starbird (minister). Husband: E.E. Shafer, Dysart, Farmer, 25 years, white, b. OH, fa: Geo. W. Shafer mo: Antoinette Bronson, first marriage; bride: Anna M. Baker, Monroe Tnsp, Benton Co., 21 years, white, b. IA, fa: J.J. Baker mo: Ellie Folkers, first marriage; at Monroe Tnsp; witnesses: N.S. Taylor & wife, G.W. Shafer, Chas. M. H------.
Vinton Eagle (newspaper), Vinton, IA: "Obituary. Died - Four miles northwest of Garrison, Iowa, Feb. 3, 1893, Mrs. Anna Baker Shafer, aged 25 years, one month and one day. The deceased was born Jan. 2, 1868, in Illinois, was left, at the age of five years, without a father. After that was brought up by foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. N. S. Taylor. She was converted at the age of 12 years, and remained true to her religious vows until called up higher. She was married to her now bereaved husband, Elmer Shafer, March 14, 1888; unto them were born three children, the youngest not one month old at the time of the mother's death. A large concourse of friends and neighbors gathered at the home for the funeral, which was held Sunday, Feb. 5, at 11 a.m., the writer officiating. Many were the tears that were shed. May the wife and mother's God be the guardian comfort and support of the bereaved friends, and especially of the husband and motherless children. J. Haymond."
Benton Co., IA Return of Deaths: #31; 2-3-93, Anna B. Shaffer 25 housewife b. ILL; return dated October 1st 1893.
Garrison Cem., Jackson Tnshp, Benton Co., IA, lot 174: Shafer, Annie M. b. Apr. 3, 1867, d. Feb. 3, 1893 - 25 yrs, 10 mo.
Sept term 1901: Last will & Testament of Nathan S. Taylor of Vinton, Benton Co., IA: $1000 to foster child Anna Shafer (must have been written before her death).
2 Sept. 1902: Last will & Testament of Martha M. Taylor, decd. of Vinton, Benton Co., IA: Lee Earle Shaffer, Clarence Ray Shaffer and Mabel Ann Shaffer $200 each. Also to Mabel Ann Shaffer her mother's enlarged picture, keepsakes and clothing.
1895 Iowa census, Benton Co.: Taylor Nathan 56 NY; Martha M. 51 NY. Right below is: Elsworth, W.O. 74 NY; Sally M. 65 NY; Martha M. 51; Smith, Hyram 74.
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