My Genealogy Hound

JOHN SHUMATE is a well known farmer of township 46, range 25, Johnson County, and, with the exception of a year spent in Warrensburg on account of his health, he has made his home on this farm since arriving at man’s estate. He is in every sense of the word a practical and progressive farmer, and has steadily increased the value of his place by judicious expenditure of time and money. In his political faith he is a Democrat, having always used his ballot in behalf of the men and principles of his party. He is one of the native sons of this township, his birth having occurred on his father’s farm, only a mile and a-half distant from his present home, January 1, 1842.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were natives of Henry County, Va., but died in North Carolina, where they had operated a farm for some years. Of their large family John Shumate knows little, but has recollections of three of his uncles, Isaac, John and Toliver. His parents were James and Susannah (Adams) Shumate, both natives of Wilkes County, N. C. The former emigrated to Missouri with the Adams family, making the trip by wagon, and came direct to this county, having only about fifty cents when he arrived here. He at once located on a farm on section 35, being one of the first settlers in this vicinity. After clearing the land he built a house, and for some time kept “bachelor’s hall.” For several years after his marriage he lived on that farm, but later he moved to a large farm adjacent to the one now owned by our subject. In time he became the owner of six hundred acres, all of which he improved. After living for a few years on section 5, he sold the place and moved to Warrensburg, where he bought property. He never held any offices in the county except that of Road Overseer, although he was a very prominent man. His death occurred December 10, 1883, and his wife’s demise occurred February 24, 1882. John Shumate is one of ten children, being the fourth in order of birth. William, born May 9, 1836, died January 20, 1875. Eleanor, born February 17, 1838, married John Smith, of North Carolina (now deceased), and died March 3, 1864. Lizzie, wife of Harvey Hayes, is now living in Oklahoma. Martin, born Aprils, 1844, married Celina Thomas, and is engaged in farming in Hickory County, Mo. Lucinda, born December 14, 1846, is the wife of James Moody, a retired citizen of Warrensburg. Nancy J., born February 19, 1850, died November 24, 1853. Isaac, born November 9, 1852, died May 25, 1853. Margaret is the wife of Frank Adams, a merchant of Hazle Hill; and Jackson married Wallace Knight and lives about seven miles from our subject’s home.

On arriving at his twenty-first year, John Shumate enlisted in Company G, Seventh Missouri Cavalry, under Colonel Phillips. Though he participated in a number of skirmishes, he was in no important engagements. He was sent on a march into Arkansas and was granted an honorable discharge at Sedalia, Mo., August 31, 1863. Returning home, he soon learned that Price’s army was advancing, and was forced to shoulder his gun and help drive him back to Kansas City. For two days and nights he was in the thickest of the battle of the Big Blue, being under the command of George Grover and Major Foster.

March 31, 1864, the marriage of John Shumate and Jane, daughter of William H. and Mary (Childers) De Armond, was celebrated. She was a native of Blount County, Tenn., of which state her parents were likewise natives. In their early married life they lived in Blount County, later in Bradley County, and about 1852 removed from Polk County to this section. At first they rented a farm, then for a time resided on the Dr. Lea Place, and subsequently bought a farm east of there, on which they dwelt several years. Then selling out, Mr. De Armond bought a home in Knobnoster, where he died in November, 1884. Mrs. Shumate is one of nine children, the others being: Melissa, Mrs. Robert Robinson; Margaret, who first married Lawson Robinson, and is now the wife of William Stewart; David, who married Mary Goodnight; Mrs. Purnel Upton; Mrs. Mary Willis; William, whose wife was formerly Josie Cauffman; Ellen, Mrs. Robert Early; and Thomas, who married Lillie Price, and is living in Ventura County, Cal., with his elder brother, David.

After his marriage John Shumate managed his father’s farm for nearly a year, living in a separate house, however. At the end of that time his father gave him a tract of sixty-four acres, and until 1866 he and his young wife lived in a humble house which stood on the place. He then built the substantial structure which has since been his home. He has made all the improvements on the place, including a fine barn and other buildings and a fine orchard.

Three children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Shumate. Mollie, born March 8, 1866, was married, March 29, 1883, to Jerry Sullivan, by whom she has had three children, Lola Pearl, Johnny and Jamie. Mr. Sullivan has been engaged in farming near our subject, but is now absent on business enterprises in Arizona. James William, born October 23, 1869, is in business with his Uncle David in Ventura, Cal. Henry J., born October 28, 1878, is attending school and helping his father on the farm. Mr. Shumate has neither held nor aspired to public office, but served efficiently at one time as Road Overseer. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church at Warrensburg.