David Shumaker
DAVID SHUMAKER, of Mahoning township, belongs to one of the most prominent families of that part of Armstrong county, and is himself a creditable member of the same. He was born in Mahoning township Nov. 19, 1844, son of Joseph and Catherine (Baughman) Shumaker, grandson of Philip Shumaker, and great-grandson of John Shumaker, the founder of this branch of the family in America.
John Shumaker, a native of Germany, came to this country some time before the Revolution with six brothers, Solomon, Adam, George, Simon, Samuel and Daniel. George was the founder of another well-known branch of the family in western Pennsylvania. They settled first in Loudoun county, Va., whence John Shumaker came to Westmoreland county, Pa., about 1770. He purchased and cleared a large tract of land in Franklin township, making a permanent home on that place, where he died. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, in the American army, and also served during the Indian troubles in western Pennsylvania. His death was caused by injuries he head received during his army service. His wife was Mary Ann Baker, and they had two sons and three daughters, the sons being Philip and John.
Philip Shumaker, eldest son of John and Mary Ann (Baker) Shumaker, was born Jan. 25, 1784, in Westmoreland county, Pa., and died April 10, 1860. In 1814 he settled in what is now Mahoning township, Armstrong county (his brother John coming later), taking up 400 acres of land near Oakland, 200 acres of which he sold in 1824 to a favorite cousin, Peter Shumaker. He cleared and improved the 200 acres he retained, making a fine homestead, upon which he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring there. He married Elizabeth Rose, who was born Nov. 18, 1790, and survived him, dying June 12, 1863. George Rose, her father, was born near Murrysville, Westmoreland county, Pa., and was a farmer and hotelkeeper. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shumaker, as follows: Mary, born April 14, 1812, married Adam Smith, and died in 1887; John was born Oct. 22, 1813; Sarah, born Jan. 5, 1815, died young; Joseph, born April 9, 1819, is mentioned below; Isaac, was born July 27, 1821; Philip was born March 2, 1825; Susanna, born July 20, 1827, married Robert Ferguson; Elizabeth, born May 17, 1831, married M. N. Hetrick; Samuel was born March 12, 1834. The father was a Whig in politics until 1856, when he became a Republican. He was a member of the German Baptist Church.
Joseph Shumaker, son of Philip, was born April 9, 1819. By purchase he acquired 100 acres of his father's original homestead and passed all his days on that place, dying there in December, 1860, at the comparatively early age of forty-one years. For twenty years he was a minister of the German Baptist Church, and he was one of the most respected citizens of the township in his day. He married Catherine Baughman, and they had a family of twelve children, six of whom grew to maturity: Hannah, who was twice married, first to Peter Kimmel, and later to Dr. Richard T. Pollard; Isaac E.; David; Maria, who married Jacob Kimmel; Elizabeth, deceased; Levi, deceased; Adam, deceased; Solomon T.; Daniel L.; John, deceased; and two who died in infancy.
David Shumaker, son of Joseph and Catherine (Baughman) Shumaker, was reared to manhood on the old homestead and received a common school education. Farming has always been his occupation, and he has owned his present farm, a fine tract of 121 acres, since 1866. All the improvements on the place, in the way of buildings and modern equipment, have been made by him, and the fine condition of the land is due to his excellent management and thorough cultivation along the most approved lines. Mr. Shumaker has not only been successful in his own work, but a capable worker in the public affairs of his township. His fellow citizens have given substantial evidence of their confidence in his ability and honor by electing him to various positions of trust, and he has served acceptably as school director, supervisor, assessor and tax collector. In politics he has been associated with the Republican party. He is a member of the German Baptist Church.
In July, 1867, Mr. Shumaker was married to Catherine L. Lamberson, daughter of Isaac and Martha (Nulph) Lamberson, of Mahoning township, and of the children born to this union five are living: Rosa, wife of John Kunselman; Mead L., who married Amanda Yount; Isaac Pritner, who married Martha Mohney; Dolly E., wife of M. A. Milliron; and Fred M., who married Minnie Adams.
Source: Pages 813-814, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed October 1998 by James R Hindman for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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