Even though we have June 11, 1851 as Frank's birthday, it is not an official date. You see when Frank was about 2-3 years old, his parents died in a Yellow Fever epidemic in New Orleans. He was adopted by a family with the last name of Shaffer...Or so his military records would conclude when he signed up. Later in life when he filled out pension forms he said Shaffer was an alias. What exactly does this mean; a.) that this was his adoptive last name or b.) that he used an alias because he was trying to get away from his stepfather and he had to lie to get into the army? His stepfather beat him all the time. After years of abuse, a neighboring lady who was probably a former slave (time frame being just after the end of the Civil War)told him that he didn't have to take that anymore from Mr. Shaffer...he was Frank Stanley not Shaffer. Frank who had no idea he was adopted confronted his step mother whom he loved. She admitted the truth, but told him she was afraid of getting in trouble with Mr. Shaffer. Frank decided to run away. He was told that he had a sister that someone else took. His mother was frightened and didn't have time to explain or give more information. She did mention he had an uncle in St. Louis in the importing business. (Like his father.)Frank left home working his way to St. Louis. He found the address but his uncle had left on another trip to Europe. As he was always gone for quite a while, the landlady said he didn't keep his room. The uncle's name is not known. After not finding his uncle he worked as a baker in Belleville, Illinois (across the river from St. Louis) and then he told a little white lie about his age to enlist in the army. He enlisted December 3, 1866, from St. Louis, Missouri, and was a private in Captain Edward Ball's Company "H" Second Regiment of Cavalry for five years. He was in the campaign against the Cheyenne's and Comanche's in Kansas. He also served in the Piegan Indian Massacre on the Marias River in Montana, in 1870. He was honorably discharged December 3, 1871, at Fort Ellis, Montana. Afterwards he came to Utah to see the "Mormons" and ended up marrying one and being baptized himself. He married Sarah Radcliffe Hardman and 7 later her sister Harriet Ann Radcliffe Hardman to whom 7 children were born. (4 lived to maturity) Frank started the Eagle Cracker Mfg. Co., the first in Salt Lake City. It was located 720-22 South 2nd West. He was quite well known for his crackers, cookies, etc; but the lemon squares were very popular, and many a youngster was practically raised on them. He was also a Bishop for many years. He lost his wife Harriet to a stroke and then Sarah a few years later in a tragic accident. He married Henrietta Losee Lamb and after she died he married Agnes Pruhs. To this date we still do not know of his real origins; the names of his parents or even step parents. Many years and countless hours have been used in trying to break this brick wall.

Note: Because of the difficulty of trying to figure out Frank's past and the brick wall that it has been for the family, in July 2015, Frank's g-grandson F. David Stanley (my father) took a Y-DNA 37 test through Family Tree DNA. The Y-DNA test is through the paternal line and represents DNA that is passed from father to son only; thus a "Stanley" needed to be tested. The results although not giving us all the answers that we need, did tell us is that Frank Stanley had DNA that links him to the Y Haplogroup R-M269 and a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages (an Irish warlord). From all other information gathered through this test, it is understood that the Stanley's are indeed of Irish descent. The DNA results are stored in the Family Tree DNA database and anytime there is a new match I am contacted. Much more research needs to be done for sure, and it may just be a waiting game for more matches to show up. This does not tell us if Frank's father was born in Ireland or even his grandfather, but it is a starting point of sorts in this massive crazy puzzle.

Note: There is more to this story than meets the eye. If you are a relative of Frank's and would like more info on his possible step-parents please contact me. [Cathy Peacock; g-g-granddaughter and avid searcher of all things Frank Stanley since 2004]