As published in the "Commemorative Biographical Record of Prominent and Representative Men of Racine and Kenosha
Counties, Wisconsin containing Biographical Sketches of Business and Professional Men and Many of the Early Settled Families",
The J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1906.
Transcribed by Marcie Pierce Colleary
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wikenosh/bio1906shumway.htm
Walter Gaius Shumway. A farmer on Section 14, Raymond Township, Racine County, was born on the farm where he now lives
Feb.12, 1867, son of Lyman and Mary (Ellis) Shumway, and grandson of Walter and Amarillus Shumway and of Gaius and Julia (Chamberlain) Ellis.
Walter Shumway was born in Massachusetts, and the family is of French origin. His entire life was devoted to farming. At one time
he owned five eighty-acre tracts of land in Raymond Township, Racine County and he died in that township at the extreme old age
of ninety-four years. His good wife also attained advanced years. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now
iving, namely: Henry, of Castle Rock, Minnesota: Dwight, of Northfield, Minnesota: William, of Racine: Abigail, who was twice
married, her last husband being Henry J. Lyman, now deceased: and Harriet, wife of Dexter Bailey, of Breckenridge, Minnesota
Walter Shumway and his wife were charter members of the first Congregational Church in Raymond Township.
Lyman Shumway, son of Walter, was born in Massachusetts, the early American home of the family, and lived there until he was
nineteen years old, when he accompanied his parents on their migration to Wisconsin. Like his father he devoted his active years
to farming, and at the time of his death owned 105 acres of well-improved arable land. He was active and influential in public affairs,
and held various town offices, having been supervisor, treasurer and school director. His death occurred April 9, 1896, when he was
aged seventy-four years. His wife, Mary Ellis, died March 22, 1905. They had seven children, five of whom died young, the remaining
two, Walter Gaius and Elbert L., still surviving. Elbert L. is in partnership with his brother, and resides on the same farm. On
Aug. 14, 1894, he married Miss Cora West, sister of Mrs. Walter G. Shumway. Lyman Shumway and his wife were members
of the Congregational Church, and were among the charter members of the first church of that denomination in Raymond Township.
Mrs. Mary (Ellis) Shumway was the daughter of Gaius and Julia (Chamberlain) Ellis, in the former of whom was a native of the
Old Bay State, where he was engaged in the hotel business, and whence he came to Wisconsin with the early pioneers. Mr. Ellis
lived for a while in Raymond Township, and then moved to Racine, and later to Neenah, dying in the latter place when aged
nearly four-score years and ten; his wife passed away at the age of sixty-eight. They had five children, three daughters and two sons,
all now deceased.
Walter Gaius Shumway has passed all his life on the farm where he was born, and which he and his brother Elbert L. now own. This
farm contains 125 acres, and the young men are aptly demonstrating their ability as thoroughly up-to-date agriculturists.
Their improvements are substantial, their fields well cared for, and they adopt such new methods as are practicable for their needs.
Walter G. Shumway was president and manager of the Raymond Center Dairymenıs Association.
On March 25, 1890, Walter G. Shumway was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte West, daughter of Thomas and
Charlotte (Ferris) West, and three children have been born to them: Lyman William, who died when fifteen months old: and
Linus Walter and Charlotte Elizabeth, living. Mr. and Mrs. Shumway are members of the Congregational Church, and are active
and influential in its work. Mr. Shumway now serving as one of the trustees. Politically he is a Republican, and he has ever taken a
keen interest in public affairs, having been supervisor one year, chairman of the board for one year, and now serving his fourth term
as town clerk. He has proved in every way his worthiness to be ranked among the useful, public-spirited and able citizens of the country.
Released 05 May 2006
Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a
record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement
Walter G. Shumway has been a lifelong resident of Raymond Township,
where he still makes his home and where he was born February 12,
1867. He is a son of Lyman and Mary (Ellis) Shumway, both of whom
were natives of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather, Walter
Shumway, was also a native of New England and became one of the
pioneer residents of Wisconsin, arriving in Racine County in 1838,
long before the admission of the state into the Union. The work of
improvement and development had scarcely been begun in this district
and such was the unsettled condition of the country around that even
Chicago had been incorporated as a city only the year before. The
greater part of the land was still in possession of the government
and Walter Shumway purchased four hundred acres of such land, upon
which he built a log cabin that the family occupied for a number of
years. They experienced all of the hardships and privations of life
on the frontier, but their industry and determination at length
brought changed and improved conditions. Lyman Shumway was a young
man of about nineteen years when he accompanied his parents on their
removal to this state and took up the occupation of farming in
connection with his father. His life thereafter was devoted to the
work of tilling the soil and in time substantial harvests rewarded
his labors, for at all times he displayed unremitting industry,
guided by sound judgment. He started out with but eighty acres of
land and at the time of his death was the owner of an excellent farm
of one hundred and five acres. He was well known and well liked; his
many substantial traits of character gaining him deserved
popularity. He held membership in the Raymond Congregational church,
in which he served as deacon for a number of years, and his life was
guided by its teachings. His political views accorded with the
principles of the Republican Party and he held many Township
offices, including those of supervisor and treasurer. In early
manhood he wedded Mary Ellis, a daughter of Gaius Ellis, who was
born in Massachusetts and in 1839 arrived in Raymond Township.
Racine County, where he, too, became a pioneer, contributing to the
result which was wrought in transforming the district from a wild
frontier region into a most habitable section. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyman
Shumway were born seven children, but only two are now living,
Walter G. and Elbert L., the latter also a farmer of Raymond
Township.
Walter G. Shumway was educated in the district schools and began
business life on a farm, having previously had thorough training in
the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. At an
early age he began assisting his father in the development of the
home place and while his father was still living he purchased twenty
acres of land. At present his holdings comprise one hundred and
twenty-five acres, on which he has erected a large barn and added
other substantial buildings. His farm is splendidly improved and
gives evidence of his careful management and wise supervision. As
soon as old enough he and his brother took over the business from
their father and have since carried on the work of the farm, and in
addition to cultivating the fields in the production of the crops
best adapted to the soil and climate Mr. Shumway also engages in
raising full blooded Holstein cattle and conducts a. dairy business,
making butter, for which he finds a ready sale in the local market.
In 1890 occurred the marriage of Walter G. Shumway and Miss
Charlotte West, a daughter of Thomas West, an early settler of
Raymond Township. Three children have been born of this marriage, of
whom two are living, Lynus and Charlotte, but the firstborn, Ly man
William, died at the age of eighteen months.
The parents are consistent members of the Congregational church, of
which Mr. Shumway is one of the directors. He votes with the
Republican Party and is now filling the office of town clerk. He is
not only much interested in the material development but also in the
political, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community
and his influence is always found on the side of right, progress and
reform. He represents one of the old families of the County and has
himself been a resident of Raymond Township for almost a half
century, so that he is largely familiar with its history.
He is buried in Lot 6 Oak Grove Cemetery, Racine County, Wisconsin
Who is this family member?