SHOEMAKER, Daniel E. - Putnam

A man who boldly faces the responsibilities of life and by determined and untiring energy carves out for himself an honorable success exerts a powerful influence upon the lives of all who follow them. Such men constitute the foundation of our republican institutions and are the pride of our civilization. To them life is so real that they find no time to plot either mischief or vice. Their lives are bound up in their duties, they feel the weight of their citizenship, and take pleasure in sowing the seeds of uprightness. Such has been the career of the subject of this sketch. Daniel E. SHOEMAKER was born in Wayne County, Indiana on the 23rd of Sept 1836, son of James and Elizabeth (HOWREN) Shoemaker the former of whom was born July 30, 1813, the latter May 4, 1814. They were of stanch old Quaker stock and the father was a man of splendid qualifications and high standing, being universally known as "Squire" Shoemaker. He was one of the early pioneers of Wayne County, this state, and came to Putnam County in 1840. Here he devoted his attention to farming and attained to a fair measure of success. He possessed a strong religious spirit and was a foreceful and effective public speaker. The subject was reared under parental care and secured his education in the old log school houses of that early period, at which time educational methods and equipment were somewhat primitive. He was reared to the life of farmer and has never left the occupation of his first choice. He is owner of 125 acres of land and has been successful to a gratifying degree in the operation of this land. Of practical ideas and progressive methods, he has kept in close touch with advanced ideas relating to the science of agriculture and his labor is rewarded with abundant returns. At age 53 Mr. Shoemaker received distinct religious impressions and from that time forward has to the best of his ability lived a consistent Christian life. He has for many yeares been a persistent and thoughtful student of the holy writing and is considered an authority on the Bible and its teachings. He has strong and definite convictions regarding the great truths of God and stands squarely on his honest and conscientious beliefs. His life has been as an open book to all who know him and no man in the community enjoys to a greater degree the respect and confidence of the people. On October 10, 1860, Mr. Shoemaker was united in marriage to Louisa STOBAUGH, the duaghter of Jacob and Ursula Stobaugh who was born July 27, 1840. Jacob Stobaugh was one of the first settlers in the state of Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker were born the following children: Lillie D, born Oct 18, 1861 is the wife of Marion CRAVER living in Boone County; Jacob H, born April 8, 1863 a farmer of Floyd Township, married Lula MASON; Arminda B, born March 12, 1865 died at age 15; Josephine born Aug 3, 1876 became the wife of Sherman COFFER; Worley V, born Dec 14, 1880 is single and is living at home. He has been reared to the honest life of a farmer and takes much pride in livestock and has become a regular dealer in feeding and handling stock for market.