During young manhood he learned the trade of a cooper. This was during the rise of the industrial revolution in America and young John's trade became a victim of change. Barrels were no longer being made by tradesman but were manufactured in factories. It was no longer profitable to be a cooper and John gave up this trade to become a farmer.
John Wesley's farm was typical of the farms in central New York State during the mid-1800's. They were subsistence farmers but along with many of his neighbors he also grew hops as a cash crop.
On June 13, 1893 at 11 PM, John's barn caught on fire. John Wesley rushed into barn and retrieved a horse and secured it in an adjoining
barn. He then went to the pasture and mounted another horse and rode to the village to give the alarm. Upon returning he found the second barn on fire. He ran in and cut the horse free. As he led the horse from the barn it broke free and returned to the barn seeking some sense of security. He attempted to retrieve the horse a second time but was badly burned during this attempt. His grandson, also named John Wesley Shumway, took him to the well and pumped water on his badly burned grandfather. A few weeks later on July 7, 1893, John Wesley Shumway passed away at West Exeter.
The farm was located about 4 - 5 miles from the center of Fly Creek, New York on Robinson Road. It is the 3rd or 4th house on the left if you are coming via Rt. 28.
BURIED: Schuyler Lake Cemetery, Village of Schuyler lake, Otesgo, New York
SOURCE: Steve Shumway -shumways@@petershumway.org
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