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~ ~ ~ GEORGE ARTHUR SCHAFFNER ~ ~ ~

~ ~ BORN RALPH HAMILTON SANDERS ~ ~

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SEABEE U.S. NAVY

WORLD WAR II

TEAMSTER

MECHANIC

CAR SALESMAN

NAMESAKES

His Father

~ Ralph Carl Sanders Senior ~ (1894 - 1967)

His Father

~ Arthur Clay Schaffner ~

His Maternal Grandfather

~ George Washington Hamilton ~ (1861 - 1933)

and

His Paternal Grandfather

~ George Schaffner ~

BIRTH

Born Ralph Hamilton Sanders, of which there was a July 26th, 1917 California Birth Certificates issued for: Ralph Hamilton Sanders.

A second California Birth Certificate was later issued for George Arthur Schaffner.

At birth and as a child, George had blonde hair and blue eyes.

George Arthur Schaffner, from the age of 4, was raised by his Father or Step-Father, Arthur Clay Schaffner, Find A Grave Memorial # 19173012.

George Arthur Schaffner neither knew (nor recalled from early childhood) his Father, Ralph Carl Sanders, after last residing with his father and paternal grandparents, at the age of 4.

NICKNAMES

Ralphie and Sonny were both the nicknames that his father and paternal grandparents called him as a little boy.

CHILDHOOD

George spent his early years with his parents, and 3 of his grandparents. He was the only grandchild to all 3 of his living grandparents.

His fathers' parents called him Sonny and Ralphie. He spent time as a family with his parents, both residing and visiting his paternal grandparents, on their farm and orchard in Saratoga, Santa Clara, California. He had a pony that he rode at his grandparents farm and orchard in Saratoga.

He spent time both residing and visiting his paternal grandfather, George Washington Hamilton, at the family home and orchard San Jose, Santa Clara, California, The two side-by-side 160 acre home tracts and orchards' original owners were his Great grandparents, Zeri and Jane (Blackford) Hamilton and 2nd Great Grandparents, Samuel Adams Blackford & Jane (Huston) Blackford. The family orchards and border of land still bear the familys' surnames:

Hamilton Avenue and Blackford Street.

The schools owned and operated by George's grandparents still exist and are in operation today:

Blackford Elementary School is still located at it's original site on the family's original land. It is noteworthy that eBay Corporation is now located on what was George's grandparents' Hamilton family orchard. The land located directly behind eBay still bears the family, as well:

Hamilton Place Subdivision and Street

SPANISH FLU

1918 - 1919

Sonny/Ralphie was a baby during the Spanish Flu that killed millions throughout the world. Fortunately, Sonny's family survived this pandemic.

THE VALLEY OF HEART'S DELIGHT

George's childhood and youth was predominantly spent in Santa Clara County throughout the height of this valleys' Fruitdom. His family's orchards were both for profit and for family enjoyment. They grew and sold plums, peaches, cherries, and more.

DEATH OF GRANDFATHER

October 22nd, 1933

When George was a teenager, age 16, he lost the only grandfather that he had known, George Washington Hamilton passed away at the age of 72, on his birthday in San Jose, Santa Clara, California. George did not recall residing and spending time with his paternal grandparents as a toddler.

MEETING AND DATING THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE

George met Betty Bucholz at a tennis court in Oakland, Alameda, California. They both enjoyed sports and often met for tennis match dates, and also for frisbee picnic dates at the local parks. They enjoyed attending the Oakie Oaks baseball games too, as Betty's brother, Bud Bucholz, was a member of this newly formed profession baseball team.

MARRIAGE & FATHERHOOD

January 23rd, 1937

George Arthur Schaffner, age 19, wed his lovely bride, Elizabeth May "Betty" Bucholz, age 17. They were married in the family church: Brooklyn Presbyterian Church & Parish Hall at 1433 12th Avenue, Oakland, Alameda, California.

FAMILY

In his 30's or 40's, George learned of his father from early childhood and made several attempts to locate him. DNA testing was not performed as it did not exist.

RELOCATION

George bought a used car sales lot and relocated his family to Napa, California. They were residing in town near the Napa High School where his children attended and graduated from high school.

DEATH OF HIS ONLY SIBLING

February 16th, 1953

George's Beloved sister Arthel Schaffner sadly passed at the young age of 24. She had battled cancer and was sadly taken too soon from her loving husband and adoring family.

ANOTHER FAMILY ORCHARD

After the passing of her only daughter, Arthel Schaffner Redmon, George's mother and Step-Father Barton Leroy Harlan, purchased an apple orchard in Santa Rosa and relocated from Montebello, Los Angeles, California. Their new home and orchard meant George's young family now spent a lot of family time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandpa Barton was a talented musician that often gave voice and music lessons to George's daughters, Pat and Diane.

DEATH OF MOTHER

Early Spring 1954

Sadly, the family time they all enjoyed came to an abrupt end the following year when George's mother, Thel passed away suddenly of an unknown heart condition. His mom had thoroughly enjoyed her time with her grandchildren, yet had certainly still been grieving the loss of her only daughter.

Thel was still young, at age 54, when she went home to Our Father in Heaven.

CHILDREN'S ENGAGEMENTS & MARRIAGE

In 1959 and 1960, George's eldest son and eldest daughter were each engaged and married in California.

BIRTH OF FIRST GRANDCHILD

December 28th, 1960

George and Betty welcomed their first grandson, Frederick Schaffner, born to George Jr. & Wilma (Blanton) Schaffner in California.

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