Biography - JOHN M. SHOEMAKER
John M. Shoemaker, prominent and influential in community interests and
in business life, is well known in Montgomery county, and his efforts have
been effective and far-reaching in behalf of public welfare. He stands as a
high type of American citizenship, one devoted to the general good, and
whose life history demonstrates possibilities that are open to ambitious,
purposeful and determined young men in America, for he started out
empty-handed and through capable management and untiring perseverance has
worked his way up to success.
Mr. Shoemaker was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on the 21st of August,
1860. His father, Jacob Shoemaker, also a native of Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, was of German lineage, and throughout his active business
career carried on the occupation of farming. He held membership in the
Lutheran church and gave his political allegiance to the Democracy. His
wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca McQueeney, was of Scotch-Irish
descent and was likewise a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. She,
too, held membership in the Lutheran church and lived a consistent Christian
life. In the family were four children; but only two are now living: John
L., of this review; and Elizabeth, who resides in Pennsylvania.
After acquiring his preliminary education in the common schools of his
native city, John L. Shoemaker pursued the high school course in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, and later attended the Millersville State Normal School of
Pennsylvania. On putting aside his textbooks he turned his attention to the
business of manufacturing cigars at Manheim, Pennsylvania, where he remained
for about fifteen years, and in 1890 removed to Illinois, settling in
Decatur, where he worked at the cigar trade. After a short period there
passed, however, he took up his abode in Assumption, Illinois, where he
engaged in the same business, and in the fall of 1891 he removed to Nokomis,
Illinois, where he established a cigar factory of his own. The success he
has achieved in business has resulted entirely from his close application,
thorough knowledge of his trade and careful management.
Mr. Shoemaker has been prompt and influential in political circles in the
various communities in which he has resided. While residing in Manheim,
Pennsylvania, he served as a member of the Democratic central committee, and
in Nokomis he filled the position of city clerk for two terms. In 1898 he
was elected to the office of county clerk of Montgomery county, and during
the four years' term discharged his duties with such faithfulness and
capability that in 1902 he was reelected, so that he is now serving for the
second term. He is systematic and methodical in the discharge of his
official duties, prompt and reliable, and over his public career there falls
no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He was chairman of the county
Democratic committee of 1900 and he has done much to promote the success of
his party in this portion of the state. After his election to office he
removed to Hillsboro in the spring of 1899, and is well known in the county
seat as a public official and as a representative business man.
In 1895 occurred the marriage of John L. Shoemaker and Miss Della A. Morgan,
a daughter of Daniel and Martha E. Morgan, in whose family were eleven
children. Her father was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Shoemaker was born in
Wabash, Indiana, in 1870, and has become the mother of three children:
Ophelia, Frances and Alice. Fraternally Mr. Shoemaker is connected with the
Masonic lodge and is a charter member of Blue Cross lodge, K. P., of
Assumption. He also belongs to the Modem Woodmen camp and the Court of
Honor, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. His genial
manner, unfailing courtesy and kindly disposition have made him a popular
citizen, and his influence in public affairs has been a beneficial factor,
contributing to the substantial progress and upbuilding of the community.
Extracted 11 Apr 2020 by Norma Hass from 1904 Past and Present of Montgomery County, Illinois, by Jacob L. Traylor, pages 11-12.
