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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
JOHN H. SHOEMAKE, deceased, was a pioneer of Mahaska County, coming here before Oskaloosa was laid out, and was born in Smith County, Tenn. He was a son of Michael and Judy Shoemake, and was reared a farmer's boy. Developing into manhood, he engaged in merchandising at Carthage, Tenn., whence he removed to Collinsville, Ill., where he engaged in the mercantile business, and was there united in marriage with Miss Betsy McQuain. He came from the latter place to Mahaska County and took up land, and when Oskaloosa was started engaged in the dry-goods, hardware and grain business, and was also a dealer in live stock. Mr. Shoemake was the first Democrat to be elected County Treasurer and Recorder of Mahaska County, his election occurring in August, 1857, and continuing until August, 1860. He continued an active business man of Oskaloosa until his demise, in November, 1860. He was a whole-souled, genial gentleman, who had the happy faculty of making and retaining friends, and was one of the popular men of his party in the county, and at the date of his demise left a wife and two children. Socially he belonged to the Masonic fraternity, and was also a member of the I. O. O. F.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy