Resolution on the Death of Mrs. Fred Shaefer

A typewritten Resolution on the Death of Mrs. Fred Shaefer was inserted in the “Minutes of Organization Meeting and of Years 1913 to 1920” book on page 224. The resolution reads:

RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS, In His infinite wisdom the Lord has removed from this life the wife of our beloved Secretary-Treasurer and fellow member, Fred Shaefer, and

WHEREAS, This loss has brought great and lasting sorrow into his once happy home,

BE IT RESOLVED: That we, the members of the Atlanta Association of Building Owners and Managers, express the deep sympathy we feel for our bereaved friend and the members of his family in this hour of their great trial, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Association and a copy be sent to Mr. Fred Shaefer.

About Mrs. Fred Shaefer

According to an article in the October 11, 1895, issue of The Atlanta Constitution, Fred married Miss Bessie Maye Hogan at the residence of Mrs. M. E. Hogan, 60 Alexander Street on October 10, 1895. The article says, “Both the young people have an extensive acquaintance in the city and are quite popular among the beau monde.”

On April 14, 1902, through the College Park Woman’s Club, Mrs. Shaefer acted in a production of “The Old Maids’ Convention” at Southern Female College to raise funds to “build up the library of the College Park Woman’s club,” according to the April 7, 1902, issue of The Atlanta Journal. Her husband Fred also acted in the production, playing the role of Reporter.

According to an article in the December 22, 1902, issue of The Atlanta Journal, Mrs. Shaefer was the victim of an attempted robbery by a “Christmas purse snatcher” at about noon on December 22, 1902, on the Whitehall Street viaduct. “Mrs. Shaefer was carrying her purse in one hand and was besides carrying a number of small parcels. Right in the thickest crowd the man suddenly snatched at the purse, but missed it, grabbing Mrs. Shaefer’s hand, however, and leaving the imprint of his nails. The plucky woman made no outcry, but attempted to seize the man. He immediately broke away, and disappeared in the moving crowds.”

Around 1905, Mrs. Shaefer’s name begins to substantially increase in mention in the social events section of Atlanta newspapers. She enjoys meeting people and entertaining.

By 1910, Mrs. Shaefer is active in the Thursday Morning Domino Club in College Park, according to the February 27, 1910, issue of The Atlanta Constitution. Later that year, according to the October 16, 1910, issue of The Atlanta Constitution, she is invited to join the College Park Sewing Club when two membership vacancies emerge. The sewing club “is composed of fifteen young women, who meet every Friday afternoon and spend many happy hours together.” Through these clubs, she increases her time with the Thornton and Connally families – families from which two BOMA Atlanta presidents will eventually emerge: Thomas W. Connally, 1926-1927; and Albert E. Thornton, 1935-1937.

According to the April 14, 1907, issue of The Atlanta Journal, Mr. and Mrs. Shaefer had a son, Fred Shaefer, Jr., in late 1906. Fred Jr. is pictured in the newspaper and referred to as their “handsome six-month-old son.”

Tragically, Fred Jr. dies a few months later on June 17, 1907, according to an obituary published in the June 19, 1907, issue of The Atlanta Constitution.

The title of her obituary in the May 9, 1918, issue of The Atlanta Journal is “Mrs. Fred Shaefer’s Death Grieves Host of College Park Friends.” It refers to her as “one of the most beloved women of College Park.” She died on May 15, 1918, after an illness lasting about two weeks.

The May 9, 1918, obituary published in The Atlanta Journal describes her as having a “sunny and smiling disposition.” It further says, “The love and affection she had won through her constant desire to lift the load of care from others was unusual, and scores of friends both in Atlanta and College Park will grieve over their loss on learning of her passing.”

An obituary published in the May 10, 1918, issue of The Atlanta Constitution says, “Her life was marked by unusual unselfishness, and by her policy of always thinking of the comforts of others she made herself loved by people of every class.”

At the time of her death, Mr. and Mrs. Shaefer did not have any children who were living.

She is interned at West View cemetery.