Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 421 - 422 

HENRY SHUMAN, a retired farmer of ample means and engaged moderately in the handling of city real estate, owns in addition to other property one of the finest residences in Wichita, which is pleasantly located on Topeka avenue between Tenth and Eleventh streets.  He came to this county in 1871, and purchased eighty acres three miles northeast of Main street and Douglas avenue.

      Upon this property our subject set himself industriously to work, planting fruit trees, and preparing the ground for garden produce, and followed this business with fine results for a period of sixteen years. In the spring of 1887 he was the fortunate possessor of eighty acres, which he laid off into regular lots, reserving, however, sufficiently for his own homestead. The same year he put up a large and elegant residence on Topeka avenue between Tenth and Eleventh streets, with all the modern improvements.  This involved a cost of $6,000 besides the fixtures for gas and water.  Aside from his home he has twenty-four lots inside the corporation.  In his prosperity he has not forgotten to be generous, and gave ten acres of his valuable land to the Congregational Female College.

      The subject of this history was born in Perry County, Pa., June 27, 1835, and is the son of George and Susannah (Rusher) Shuman, also natives of the Keystone State.  The family originated in Germany, and was first represented in this country during the Colonial days. George Shuman, the father of our subject, was born in 1809.  He was a farmer by occupation, and a member in good standing of the Baptist Church.  Prudent and industrious he accumulated a comfortable property.  The mother, who was born in 1813, survived her husband only about four years, her death taking place in 1847.  She was a member of the same church as her husband, and their children were trained to habits of industry and principles of honor.

      There were born to George and Susannah Shuman six sons and three daughters, who are recorded as follows: Samuel died unmarried at the age of twenty-seven years; Michael married Miss Elizabeth Chesney, and is living in Covington, Ohio; Sarah became the wife of Daniel Roush, of Perry County, Pa., and is now deceased; John married Miss Sophronia Huckins, and is living in Covington, Ohio; Hannah, Mrs. William Barger, is a resident of Perry County, Pa.; Mary married William Inch, of Sedalia, Mo.; Henry of our sketch was the next in order of birth; George married Miss Cora Elliott, and William took to wife Miss Margaret Duboice.  Mr. Shuman was reared on the parental homestead in Pennsylvania, receiving the education commonly given to farmers' boys.  He left his native State in 1854, and the two years following was a resident of Miami County, Ohio; At that place he was engaged as a clerk for his brother, who was engaged in general merchandising.  At the expiration of this time they fitted out a horse-team, and started overland for Marshall County, Iowa.  The result of this venture, however, not being satisfactory, our subject disposed of the grocery business in which he had been interested, and made his way to Marion County, this State, settling first at Cedar Point on Cottonwood Creek.  Thence in the spring of 1859 he removed to the Gregory mining district, and from there went to Leadville, Col., where he took up a mining claim and remained five years. Then selling out he proceeded to Montana via Salt Lake City, thence to Virginia City, and for three years following continued operating in the mines.

      Our subject now longing for a look at the old faces, made his way eastward to his childhood home in Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1865, then with a load of produce returned overland to the mountains.  His next camping-ground was in the vicinity of Sedalia, Mo., where he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Inch, in the grocery business.  He remained there three years, and two years later pitched his tent in this county, where he has since been contented to remain.  He has held the various school offices of his district, and here as elsewhere, has always given his earnest support to the principles of the Republican party.

      One of the most important events in the somewhat changeful life of our subject was his marriage, which took place on the 8th of March, 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Kate M. Simpson, who was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1846.  Mrs. Shuman is the daughter of Henry and Mariah (Travis) Simpson, who were also natives of the Empire State.  The father, who is still living, is a carpenter by trade and continues his home in New York.  The mother died about 1857.  Of their nine children five are living and mostly residents of New York, Michigan and Kansas.

     Mr. and Mrs. Shuman are the parents of four children, namely: Bertram, who is pursuing his studies in the High School; Frederick R, Ralph E. and Gaylord. The wife and eldest son are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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