Philip W. Shumaker, M. D.
PHILIP W. SHUMAKER, M. D., who is a practicing physician of New Bethlehem, Pa., is a descendant of an old and respected family of western Pennsylvania, members of which have taken part in the several wars of America, giving valuable service to their country, and being representative citizens in their various communities.John Shumaker, his great-grandfather, a native of Germany, came to America prior to 1770 with six brothers, namely: Solomon, Adam, George, Simon, Samuel and Daniel. Of these George Shumaker was the founder of a well-known branch of the family in western Pennsylvania; they settled first in Laudoun county, Va. John Shumaker was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, serving in the American army, and also took part in the Indian wars of western Pennsylvania. He was an early settler of Westmoreland county, Pa., where he purchased a large tract of land and cleared it up, making a homestead there. Here his death occurred, resulting from wounds received during his service in the wars. His wife was Mary Ann Baker, and they had two sons and three daughters, among them a son Philip.
Philip Shumaker was the grandfather of Dr. Philip W. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Jan. 25, 1784, and died April 10, 1860. He settled in what is now Mahoning township, Armstrong, Co., Pa., in 1814, taking up 400 acres of land. In 1824 he Sold 200 acres of this tract to a favorite cousin, Peter Shumaker. He cleared up his farm, which gradually became a fine homestead, and there spent .the rest of his life, his death occurring there. He married, Elizabeth Rose, who was born Nov. 18, 1790, and died June 12, 1863, and they reared a family of nine children, as follows: Mary, who married Adam Smith; John; Sarah; Joseph, a minister of the German Baptist Church; Isaac; Philip; Susan, who married Robert Ferguson; Elizabeth, who married M. N. Hetrick; and Samuel.
John Shumaker, son of Philip, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Oct. 22, 1813, and spent practically all his life in Mahoning township, where he was a prominent farmer in his day. He improved a farm Of 320 acres, now owned by his sons Simon A. and Philip W. Retiring from active work in 1883, he made his home with his son Philip W. until his death, which occurred in November, 1901. He married Ruth Davis, daughter of Bernard and Sarah (McClain) Davis, natives of Ireland and pioneers of Armstrong county, and they were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Eliza, who married Thomas W. Marshall; Joseph T.; Simon A.; Susan, who married George Balsinger; Philip W.; Emily C., who married Samuel Balsinger; Davis G.; Amanda M., who married Jacob Johnson; William T., who is deceased; Mary M., who married Dr. Harry Sadler and James K.
Philip W. Shumaker, a son of John and Ruth (Davis) Shumaker, was born in what is now Mahoning township, this county, Nov. 6, 1844. He attended the common schools of his locality, and later the Dayton Academy and Reid Institute. In 1866 he began the study of medicine with Dr. John Criswell, of New Bethlehem, and in 1868 entered Cleveland Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1870. The same year he began the practice of his profession at Rochester, Lorain Co., Ohio, where he remained for two years, paying a government tax of ten dollars for the privilege. In 1872 he located at Oakland, Armstrong Co., Pa., engaging in the drug business, as well as in the practice of his profession, and he continued here until 1884. At this time he opened an office in New Bethlehem, where he has since resided, and he has here established an extensive and lucrative patronage. He was also engaged here in the drug business until 1901, but he now gives his entire time and attention to his patients.
Dr. Shumaker married Sept. 26, 1876, Susie, daughter of Tobias and Barbara (Brenizer) Kimmel, natives of Westmoreland county, Pa., and early settlers of Plum Creek township, Armstrong county. By this union there was one son, Edgar Kimmel, who is associated with his father in the practice of medicine. Dr. Shumaker is a member of the Clarion County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and keeps well informed on all matters and up-to-date methods which relate to his profession. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics is a Republican.
Source: Pages 437, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 2001 by Vaughn Davis for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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