William V. Shoemaker

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

The member of this family are natives of Warren county, New Jersey, where Moses C. Shoemaker was born during the early part of the last century. He died some thirty-three or thirty-four years ago, at about fifty-four years of age. His wife was Caroline VAN CAMPEN before her marriage, and was also a native of Warren county; she has been deceased for the past twenty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. SHOEMAKER were the parents of an unusually large family, having had sixteen children; only five of these are now living, among whom is their son, William V., of further mention.

William V. SHOEMAKER, son of Moses C. and Caroline (VAN CAMPEN) SHOEMAKER, was born in Warren county, New Jersey, May 16, 1857. He has been for the past twenty-six years a resident of Dover, and is now a prominent dealer here in coal, wood, and builders'’ supplies. Mr. SHOWMAKER passed his youth and early manhood in Warren county where he resided until he was twenty-nine years of age, having received his education in the local schools of the community. He then became a carpenter by trade, and for eleven years worked in this capacity for the Delaware, Lackawana & Western Railroad; for nine of these years he was employed in the shops of the company, and for two years worked on the road. He then entered his present business, dealing in coal, wood, and building supplies, and has continued with a large measure of success until the present time, having been established for ten years. Upon first entering this trade, he was in association with a partner, who, however, continued with him for only two years; for the remainder of the time Mr. SHOEMAKER has conducted the business entirely alone and with continual and growing prosperity. He now owns the building where he is established, and is beside in the possession of his own home where he is surrounded with every comfort and most happy in his domestic life. He also has a garage which he rents, and has his own auto.

His success in life is due to his own exertions and well developed business acumen, his close attention to his work and excellent judgement having been his capital. His position in the community is a very influential and honorable one, and he has shown a most commendable interest in the public life of the city, doing much for its general welfare and prosperity. He is well known in social and fraternal circles, and is a member in high standing of the G. F., and of the J. A. A. M. In his religious convictions he is a member of the Presbyterian church of which his family are all communicants.

In the year 1880, Mr. SHOEMAKER was married at Portland, Pennsylvania, to Mary M. HOAGLAND, daughter of John HOAGLAND, of Warren county, New Jersey. Mrs. SHOEMAKER lost her life in the year 1911, as the result of an automobile accident. She and Mr. SHOEMAKER were the parents of two children, a son and daughter. Claude Lester SHOEMAKER, the son, was born December 25, 1881, and is now engaged in business with his father. He is a graduate of the Dover High School, and was for three years a student at Syracuse University, New York, where he acquired an excellent education. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the B. P. O. E., and like his father, has attained a high status in fraternal and social matters, as well as in business circles. Miss Jessie SHOEMAKER, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William V. SHOEMAKER, also received a fine education, being graduated at the Dover High School at the age of sixteen, as was also her brother. She subsequently took a special course in music in which she is very proficient. Miss SHOEMAKER resides with her father in Dover.

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