Abraham L. Shoemaker

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Abraham L. SHOEMAKER, contractor and builder at Dover, has been one of the prosperous residents of this city for the past twenty-four years. He was born in Warren county, New Jersey, August 13, 1861, son of Abraham V. and Margaret (DePEW) SHOEMAKER, both of whom were living in 1913, the former being eighty-six years of age and the latter eighty-five. The parents were born in New Jersey and the father was engaged in diversified agriculture and stock raising in Warren county during his entire active career. He is now living in retirement at Delaware Station, New Jersey. In politics he is aligned as an unswerving Republican, and in religious matters is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is also his wife. To them were born the following children:

Charles and John, deceased;
Henry;
Abraham L.;
Ulysses G.;
Edwin Stanton;
Sally, deceased;
Elizabeth, married J. W. SLACKBOWER and is now deceased;
Ida, wife of Everett POYER.

On the old homestead in Warren county Abraham L. SHOEMAKER was reared to maturity. He attended the local schools until he had reached his fourteenth year and for the ensuing ten years was engaged with his father in working the home farm. For three or four years thereafter he was employed as a teamster and at the age of twenty-nine years he began to learn the trade of carpenter. He has been interested in building and contracting work during the past twenty-five years and now controls an extensive and lucrative business as a contractor at Dover, where he located in 1890. He has erected a number of fine buildings in this section of Morris county and employs a force of ten men all the year round. In his political convictions he is a stalwart Republican but does not always adhere strictly to party principles, voting for the man rather than for the organization. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., the S. of B., the G. F., the Masterbuilders Association, the Master Carpenters Association, and J. O. A. M., and with his wife is a member of the D. of R. and the D. of L. He is connected with the Dover board of fire wardens and is a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a trustee.

In the year 1881, Mr. SHOEMAKER married Margaret BROAD, a native of New Jersey, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (BIRD) BROAD. In early life Martin BROAD was a salesman by occupation but subsequently he became a stave sawyer. He and his wife were the parents of six children:

Oliver, married Irene BENSON, is now a resident of Dover;
Ethel, remains at the parental home.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).