Frank E. Shoemaker, who has popularly and efficiently served the people of Neodesha, Kan., as their postmaster since 1902, was called to that position as a deserving, capable, and highly esteemed citizen, rather than through political influence, and he has fully measured up to the confidence reposed in him. He was born at Perrysburg, Wood county, Ohio, April 11, 1866, a son of George W. and Hariette L. (Davenport) Shoemaker. The father was born in Ohio and was one of that state's loyal defenders of the Union during the Civil war. He served in the Twenty-first Ohio infantry four years and three months, a part of that time as foreman for building of the different quartermasters' buildings. This regiment participated at Stone's River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge; was with Sherman at the siege of Atlanta and moved with him to the sea and then up through the Carolinas. It returned to Washington via Richmond, was present at the Grand Review, and then proceeded to Louisville, Ky., where it was mustered out July 25, 1865. After the war George W. Shoemaker returned to Ohio, but in 1866 came to Kansas and purchased a farm in Wilson county, on which he resided many years, and which he still owns. A resident of Kansas nearly half a century, none knows better than he the trials and discouragements of pioneer days nor more fully appreciates the accomplishments of this great commonwealth in that comparatively short period. He is a Republican in politics and at one time served as commissioner of Wilson county, but has never sought further official preferment.

Frank E. Shoemaker finished his education in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. For seven years following his graduation there he taught school in Ohio; then he came to Kansas and worked on father's farm during the summer and taught school during the winter. In 1893 he began to work for Marion Corss as a clerk and also learned the tinner's trade, at which he continued to be employed nearly ten years. Well educated, energetic, and worthy, he proved a popular candidate for the position of postmaster of Neodesha, in 1902, and on July 22 received his commission as such. Courteous and obliging as an official and maintaining a high standard of service for his patrons, the people of Neodesha have been well satisfied with their choice have retained him in that position to the present time, a period of years.

In 1890 Mr. Shoemaker wedded Miss Maude, daughter of Hassell Hamilton, a cooper by trade who was born in New York and now resides in Ohio. Of this marriage was born a son, Irwin H., now a high school student at Neodesha. Mr. Shoemaker lost his first wife by death, April 20, 1899, and on June 8, 1902, was married to Rebecca, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Vanderhoff, natives of Ohio. Of this second union have been born two sons—Floyd, who is a student in the grades at Neodesha, and Roy, now (1911) four years old. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker are members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination and are active workers in their church, Mr. Shoemaker being superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school at Neodesha. Fraternally he unites with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, and the Modern Brotherhood of America. In the first named order he has taken all the degrees and is past grand of his lodge. In political affairs he is a Republican and as a citizen is one of the most respected and esteemed of his city.