My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS T. SHUMWAY, a prosperous farmer of South Hadley and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Belchertown, Mass., December 11, 1822, son of Vina and Lavinia (Squires) Shumway. Mr. Shumway’s parents were natives and lifelong residents of Belchertown. His father, who was reared to agricultural life, followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1833. His mother was again married, her second husband being Leonard Cole. She died in 1843. Vina Shumway was the father of six children, as follows: Lyman, who was drowned in a pond near Belchertown in 1850; Henry Harrison, who is a wagon-maker, and resides in New Hampshire; Marcus, who died in infancy; Elijah Dwight, a blacksmith and wagon-maker of South Amherst, Mass.; Lavinia, a widow, now residing in this State; and Thomas T., the subject of this sketch.

Thomas T. Shumway at an early age commenced work in a factory. He afterward entered the employ of Asa Clark, of Belchertown, with whom he remained as a farm hand for ten years. He next went to Chicopee Falls, where he was employed by his brother for some time, after which he returned to Belchertown and resumed farming. In 1843 Mr. Shumway moved to South Hadley, where he purchased a farm, and successfully followed agriculture for about nineteen years. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers. He served through the most important period of the Civil War, during which his regiment was continually upon the move, and participated in many decisive battles. At the battle of New Market on May 15, 1864, he received a wound from which he was confined to the hospital for seven months. In 1865 he was honorably discharged from the service, and returning to South Hadley, he has since been engaged in agriculture.

In September, 1844, Mr. Shumway was united in marriage to his first wife, who was formerly Joanna Bishop. She was born in Belchertown, daughter of Arnold and Sarah (Packard) Bishop, both old residents of Belchertown. Mrs. Shumway bore her husband six children, as follows: Everett Myron, who died in 1861; Charles H., who resides in Northampton; Everett Myron (second), who resides in New York State; Lavinia, now abroad; Clara Anna, who resides at home; and another child who died in infancy. Mr. Shumway’s first wife died November 10, 1865. He wedded for his second wife Jemima Weeks, who had no children. Mr. Shumway is a Republican in politics, a comrade of Post No. 86, Grand Army of the Republic, of Northampton, and a member of the Christian Association of old soldiers.