Biography of Henry D. Shoemaker, pages 983/984.
History of DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest 
ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane 
impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been 
patrons of husbandry.  The free out-of-door life known to 
the tiller of the soil has a decided tendency to foster and 
develop the independence of mind and self reliance which 
characterizes true manhood, and no truer blessing can 
befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature 
in the healthful,  life-inspiring labor of the fields. It 
has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung 
the moral bone an sinew of the country, and the majority of 
the nation's great warriors  renowned statesmen and 
distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were 
indebted largely to its early influence of the distinction 
which they attained. From the farm came the Shoemakers, one 
of the honored  and representative families of DeKalb 
county, of whom Henry D. Shoemaker, one of Smithfield 
township's most progressive agriculturist, is a worthy 
member.  Henry D. Shoemaker, who for a number of years has 
been one of the most extensive farmers and influential 
citizens of Smithfield township, was born on August 27, 
1858, in this township, and is the son of E. R. Shoemaker,  
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, therefore his 
ancestral history will not be referred to further at this 
point. Henry D. Shoemaker was reared on the parental 
farmstead and in his youth attended the district schools of 
the locality, his vocation periods being spent in farm 
work. Later he attended the college at Valparaiso, Indiana, 
securing a good, practical education and then, returning to 
the vocation to which he had been reared, he has 
continuously applied himself to it since with the most 
pronounced success. Mr. Shoemaker is giving his attention 
to the operation of three hundred and sixty acres of land 
in Smithfield township, besides one hundred and sixty acres 
belonging to the family that is rented. He has an unusual 
well equipped farmstead, the detailed description of which 
would occupy more space that is permissible in a work of 
this character. Th equipment includes a blacksmith outfit, 
and arrangement of slaughtering, and fine, big bank barns 
which are in every respect a credit to the owner. Mr. 
Shoemaker's home is pleasant, attractive and conveniently 
arranged, and the surroundings are in keeping with the 
residence. The farm owned by Mr. Shoemaker is a credit to 
him and reflects credit on his sound judgement and good 
taste. Mr. Shoemaker has a splendid record as a business 
man, and for many years has made it a business rule to run 
no accounts, and give no promises to pay in the future, 
every transaction being strictly cash, and this has 
undoubtedly been one of the secrets of the eminent success 
which he has realized in his affairs. Progressive in his 
disposition, public spirited in his attitude toward the 
civic and community affairs, obliging in his relations with 
his neighbors, he has gained the confidence and respect of 
all who know him and is numbered among the truly 
representative men of DeKalb county,  In 1892 Henry D. 
Shoemaker was united in marriage with Mahala Bachtel, 
daughter of Henry Bachtel, and they have one son, Russell, 
born November 15, 1895. He is a man who would win his way 
in any locality or station where fate might place him, for 
he has sound judgment, coupled with great energy and 
business tact, together with upright principles, all of 
which make for success where ever and when ever they are 
rightfully and persistently applied.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com