Frederick Scherer was the son of Frederick Scherer and Margaret Ann (Peggy) Clapp of North Carolina. He married Lilly Ann (Lillian) Huffman (Hoffman) On May 25, 1857 in Guilford County, North Carolina. The couple had eight children.

From the Waterville Telegraph, 9/27/1889

The Late Rev. F.R. Scherer

The name of Rev. F.R. Scherer, the subject of this brief sketch, is as familiar to our people as any household word. He organized the Lutheran church in Waterville and watched over its interests with the care of a father, and long before there was any church in Waterville he held services in a car. At that time this was the terminus of the C.B. railroad, and the coaches stood on the track over Sunday, as there were no Sunday trains. He preached in every school house for miles about Waterville, breaking to all the bread of life in all seasons, and the fruits of his early labors may yet to be seen on every hand. He took a homestead south of town and improved it as but few of his neighbors did at that time, and for years the fruit he raised and brought to town was a just reward for his early labors in that direction. Thus he sowed the good seed beside all waters on Sunday; and planted during the week trees, today bearing all manner of fruit, thus proving the truth of the saying "verily they do reap the rewards of their labors." His funeral was largely attended by a sympathizing and mourning community. The last tribute of respect paid this lifeless remains was the tribute of loving sorrowing hearts. Dead, yet he speaketh, and the rising generations will remember him as a faithful preacher and constant friend to all. 470, Frederick Riley Scherer, III