From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1342
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

HENRY L. SHUMWAY

   The futility of undisciplined effort is constantly manifest in the business world and is seen in the record and failure of ninety-five per cent of men who enter business life.  The cause of this is undoubtedly found in the fact that industry is not wanting, but that it is not well directed.  Keen business discernment is a very important factor in winning prosperity, and as this is numbered among the characteristics of Mr Shumway he has gained for himself a place among the prosperous farmers of the community in which he now makes his home and which has been his place of abode since 1885.

   Ohio has furnished many of the leading citizens of Rice county, including Mr Shumway, who was born in Scioto county, Ohio, where he was reared upon a farm, while during the period of his boyhood and youth he attended the public schools and gained a good education.  When the trouble between the north and the south precipitated the country into civil war he joined the Union army and loyally aided in protecting the principles represented by the administration at Washington.  He married Barbara Shustor, who also was born and reared in Ohio, and in 1885 the family came to the Sunflower state, settling in Rice county.  Here Mr Shumway is not only recognized as an enterprising agriculturist but is also accounted one of the leading and influential supporters of the Republican party.  He and his family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking an active part in its work, and have done much for the upbuilding of the cause of Christianity in this portion of the state.  Mr and Mrs Shumway have had nine children, six sons and three daughters, the record being as follows:  John W, who is assistant cashier of the Wabash Railroad Company, and resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Luella Margaret, Henry L, Charles Cyrus, Ed Alvah, Bertha Lorena, Hettie May, Thomas Clay and James Milton.

   Henry L Shumway spent the first sixteen years of his life on the family homestead in Ohio, and the period of his youth was one of business activity, for he was early trained to the work of cultivating the fields.  He began his education in his native state, pursuing his studies through the winter season, and later continued his study of the branches of English learning in the schools of Kansas.  He was married December 22, 1892, to Emma Dell Colwell, who was born November 14, 1869, in Grundy county, Illinois, near the city of Morris.  Her father, Parvis T Colwell, was born near Wheeling, West Virginia, and died in 1888, at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving a widow and seven children, namely:  Emma D, the wife of our subject and Eva Luella, Lettie May, Alfred Pool, Joseph E, Carl and Sarah L.  The mother of this family is now a resident of the state of Washington and is a highly estimable lady, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.  The marriage of Mr and Mrs Shumway has been blessed with four children:  Carrie Christina, Bessie Gertrude, Floyd William and Luella Maud.  In 1897 Mr Shumway purchased his present farm, of A B Martin.  It comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich land.  The soil is very productive and yields to him good harvests.  All modern improvements and accessories are found upon his place, and the property is pleasantly and conveniently located.  His energy and enterprise are such as insure success, and he has already gained a position among the farmers of affluence in his community.  Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and socially he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.  He votes with the Republican party and its principles receive his hearty endorsement.  He has never been an aspirant for public office, however, as his business affairs have claimed the greater part of his attention.  He co-operates in every measure for the general good, for the uplifting of society and for the advancement of honorable principles among his fellow men, and his own life of industry, integrity and morality has commanded for him the confidence and high regard of the entire community.