BIOGRAPHY: Harry A. SHOEMAKER, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 247-8
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HARRY A. SHOEMAKER, ex-Prothonotary of Cambria county, is a son of Edward and 
Mary (Hanson) Shoemaker, and was born September 23, 1845, in the borough of 
Ebensburg, this county.
     He received his education in St. Francis college, at Loretto, this county, 
from which old and reliable institution he graduated in 1862. His father was a 
merchant at Ebensburg, and Harry took a position in his father's store, where he 
remained until about 1866, when having shown his aptitude for business, he was 
taken into a partnership with his father, remaining with him until the latter's 
death, which occurred in 1867. He then conducted business for himself and the 
estate until 1871. Upon the latter date he disposed of his mercantile interests, 
and emigrated to the State of Iowa, and remained there engaged in agricultural 
pursuits until September 1872, when he returned to the town of his nativity and 
formed a partnership with his brother, James A., and went into the foundry 
business. This partnership continued until September, 1891, when Harry A. became 
sole owner by purchase of his brother's interest, and has since conducted it 
alone. Mr. Shoemaker has always been a staunch democrat, and on September 23, 
1877, was appointed deputy-sheriff under Sheriff John Ryan, and served in this 
capacity until 1880. On the completion of Mr. Ryan's term Harry, showing his 
capacity for public business, was elected in the autumn of 1883 to the office of 
prothonotary of Cambria county, and served a full term of three years in a 
manner that reflected credit upon himself, and acceptably to all concerned, as 
is evidenced by the fact that he was renominated and re-elected for a second 
term. Since his term of office has expired he has been engaged in the stove and 
agricultural implement business in Ebensburg.
     In May, 1869, he married Lydie Myers, a daughter of John V. Myers, of 
Pittsburg, and   their union has resulted in the birth of six children, as 
follows: William, Maude, Philip, Bessie, Edward and Mildred.