WILLIAM SHUMATE, who resides on section 28, Gardner Township, has for fifty-six years been a resident of Sangamon County. Widely known throughout the community he has made many friends who will be glad to read this sketch of his life work in the history of his adopted county.
His father, Berryman Shumate, was born in Fauquier County, Va., and made farming his life occupation. He served in the War of 1812, and at the close of that struggle in 1814 started westward, proceeding by wagon to Wheeling, W. Va., whence he made his way down the Ohio River to Kentucky. He had not long been a resident of that State when he went to Garrard County, where he was stricken with yellow fever and died, leaving six small children to the care of the widowed mother. Her maiden name was Eliza Nelson, and she was also a native of Fauquier County, Va. She faithfully cared for her children, providing for their wants and working for their interests, and at length died in 1882 while at a cousin's farm. The children of the family were Polly, who died in Kentucky at the age of eighteen years; Nancy, who became the wife of Thomas Duvale and died in Knox County; Mrs. Eliza Rice, who died in Kansas; Lydia, wife of George Trimble, died in Sangamon County, Ill.; William, of this sketch; and Hiram, who died while crossing the plains to California in 1851.
Our subject was born in Fauquier County, Va., near Dumfries, in a hewed log house, the date being August 3, 1810. When a lad of four summers he was taken by his parents to Kentucky. Being left an orphan at the age of twelve years he went to live with Billy Bridges, with whom he remained until about 1830. The year in which he attained to man's estate he returned to Prince Williams county, Va., driving a team across the mountains. The scholastic training which he received in his youth was very limited, the opportunities being such as were afforded in the log schoolhouses of those days with their puncheon floors, slab seats, and oil paper windows. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, which he followed at intervals for seven years, but not liking the business nor finding himself adapted to it he at length gave his attention entirely to other pursuits.
In 1835, in Kentucky, Mr. Shumate was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Bridges, a native of that State, and a daughter of James Bridges, who was born in Virginia. After four or five years residence in Kentucky Mr. Shumate and his family removed to Illinois. In company with Messrs. McGinnis, Gibson and Forest he drove hogs to Alton, selling the same to the overseer of the penitentiary. They were the first ones to drive hogs through to St. Louis, and he also shipped the first hogs over the Jacksonville & Naples Railroad. He first visited Sangamon County, Ill., in 1834, and the following year he made a settlement in Lake Creek Township, which was then the home of about eight families. He has journeyed over many miles of this country on horseback while driving hogs to market or engaged in other business enterprises. As before stated he crossed the mountains from Kentucky to Virginia and also traveled in that way to Illinois. In 1835 he rode to Knox County, Ill., to collect a debt, and in 1838 made a trip on horseback to Missouri to view the land, thinking it probable that he would locate claims in that section. In all his journeyings, which of course led him over miles of wild country where danger threatened on every hand, he never carried a pistol, and only once did he have occasion to use one, being then attacked by a dog.
In 1853 Mr. Shumate purchased the old Ford farm of one hundred and forty acres on Sugar Creek, paying about $15 per acre, which for three years remained his home, when in 1856 he sold out for $32 per acre. He then bought his present farm, paying $5,650 for two hundred and twenty-six acres of partially improved land. He broke the soil, planted crops, added many improvements and in a short time was reaping a good income as the reward of his labors. He has since sold twenty-six acres of that amount and given two acres right of way to the railroad. A nice residence, good barns and outbuildings stand as monuments to his thrift and industry, while an orchard and grove add to the beauty of the scene. As a stock dealer he has made hogs his specialty and his shipments in that line have been quite extensive.
Mr. Shumate was a second time married on the 20th of December, 1847, in Greene County, Ill., the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Kincaid, daughter of William T. Kincaid who was born in Carlisle County, Pa. Her grandfather, Archibald Kincaid, was born in Ireland, and at an early day went to Pennsylvania, where for some time he filled the office of Surveyor. He was a well educated man, a prominent citizen and an influential member of society. In the early history of Kentucky he removed with his family to that State where he developed two farms. In 1821 he came to Illinois, making a locating in Greene County, where he entered large tracts of land. He was a Presbyterian elder and a gentleman of most worthy character whose loss the community deeply mourned. The father of Mrs. Shumate remained in Pennsylvania until twelve years of age when he accompanied his family to Kentucky where he was married. He served in the War of 1812, and participated in the battle of Tippecanoe under Gen. Harrison. In 1818 he brought his wife and children to Illinois, which became a State in that year and entered land in Sinclair County. He was a man of great energy and of resolute purpose, and whatever he undertook was sure to accomplish. In connection with general farming he carried on stock raising and was very successful in the undertaking. In the fall of 1822 he removed to Greene County, where he improved a large farm, becoming one of the substantial citizens of the community. He was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican in politics, and in religious belief was a Presbyterian. He died in June, 1876, at the ripe old age of ninety years. His wife was born in Virginia and her father served in the Revolutionary War. He owned a number of slaves and about 1818 removed to Pike County, Mo., where he last days were spent.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid - John M., a resident of Texas; Andrew K., who died in Galena, Ill.; Archibald, who died in Greene County; Mrs. Sallie Mitchell, of Greene County; Mary, wife of our subject; Jemima and Eliza, who died in Greene County; Mrs. Gabrilla Reeves, of Greene County; William L., who served the late war and is now living in Greene County. John M. was also in the late war for about three years.
Mrs. Shumate was born in Sinclair County, about twelve miles from St. Louis, September 17, 1822, and when two months old was brought to Greene County, Ill. The children of Mr. Shumates's family were an infant and James William who died in early life; John, a carpenter, of Springfield; Nancy, who became the wife of D. Tripp and died in this county; Lucy, who is married and lives in Montana; Rosa, wife of George Gregory, of Gardner Township; Jennie, at home; Mrs. Gabrilla Mudd, of Montana; and Mattie and Maggie, at home.
Mr. Shumate is a representative of the honored pioneers of Sangamon County, where for more than half a century he has made his home. Only two of his old neighbors of those early days are yet living. He has witnessed the growth of the county, has aided not a little in its development, and manifested an interest in its enterprises. He takes a deep interest in educational matters and has served as School Director. In political sentiment he was a Democrat until the firing upon of Ft. Sumter and seeing that the South was resolved on carrying out its plans if possible, he joined the ranks of the new Republican party with which he has since affiliated. He became one of its stanch supporters and was a warm friend of President Lincoln, whom he has often seen at his home in this county. Religiously he is a member of the Christian Church of Springfield.