My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPHUS SHOEMAKER, nurseryman and farmer; P. O. Covington; born in Newberry Township in 1843; is the son of George S. and Elizabeth (Williams) Shoemaker; the former was a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., and emigrated to this county with his parents when quite a young man, locating in Newberry Township. Here he lived till recently, when he moved to Delaware Co., Ind. Elizabeth Williams, his wife, was a daughter of Michael W., Jr., and granddaughter of Michael W., Sr., the first settler in this township. She died before Josephus was 2 years old. This misfortune broke up the home, and he was put out among strangers, where he passed his youth, mostly in farming. His early education was limited to the common school. At the age of 19, he entered life on his own resources. With unyielding energy and unflagging industry, he has made it a success. He served as a soldier in the 147th O. N. G., and was disabled near Washington City. He then received a furlough, and, in 1864, enlisted in the 194th O. V. I., and served until the close of the war; then lived in Newberry Township one year, with his Uncle Williams. In 1875, he located on Sec. 10, Newton Township, where he now resides, and is extensively engaged in the nursery business; and, being skilled in his vocation, he now has a stock of 75,000 trees. He is also engaged in tanning bark for budding purposes. Mr. Shoemaker married Nancy Elmore in 1866; of their five children, four now survive. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker are members of the German Baptist Church.