firm of I. C. Shoemaker and Sons continued in business until the death of Isaac C. Shoemaker in 1875. I. C. Shoemaker's Sons conducted the various enterprises until the settlement of their father's estate when, in the division of the property, as finally adjusted, Jacob I. Shoemaker became the owner of half the farm including the factory and grist mill. In 1882 steam power for the operation of the factory was introduced and the plant was leased to F. W. Weber, who manufactured yarns, hosiery, etc., until 1884, when the factory was closed finally. Jacob I. Shoemaker was a member of the firm of Shoemaker and Tripp and Shoemaker and Frantz, who operated the grist mill. He enlarged it into a full three-story building and installed a number of modern milling appliances. In March, 1883, he leased the mill property to James Fowler, who operated it for a number of years. The firm of James Fowler and Sons was later organized. Since the death of James Fowler, Feb. 9, 1901, the mill has been operated by his two sons, William J. and Charles Fowler, retaining the firm name of James Fowler and Sons. Under their progressive management the business has been continued to a high plane of success. They have added to the milling business a very extensive and constantly expanding jobbing business in grain, groceries and provisions and now (1918) operate, in addition to the Wyoming plant, large and thriving business enterprises of a similar type in Pittston, Pa., and Honesdale, Pa. Jacob I. Shoemaker erected a store building at the corner of Shoemaker avenue and West Eighth street, West Wyoming. John Hunlock had a store in this building for several years and until the building was burned. Mr. Shoemaker almost immediately built the present Shoemaker block on the site of the former store. He entered into a partnership with William H. Patterson, and under the firm name of Shoemaker and Patterson they conducted a general store for about 10 years. Mr. Shoemaker retired from the firm and Mr. Patterson continued the business until he sold it to the Westmoreland Coal Company. Emil Freeman succeeded the latter and he sold his business to Rudolph Hertz, who at the present time occupies the store. Lieutenant Charles H. Reilay Post, No. 567, G. A. R., and May Lodge, No. 767, I. O. O. F., occupy a lodge room in the Shoemaker block. For a short fime Jacob I. Shoemaker was a member of the firm of Shoemaker and Jacobs, being associated with Fred S. Jacobs in a store in the Polen building on the old site of the Christian G. Oehmig store of 1815, on Wyoming avenue, Wyoming, Pa. Simpson and Watkins, operators of the Mount Lookout Colliery, bought out this business and established a company store in the building. About 1904 Mr. Shoemaker remodelled and extensively enlarged the "Samuel Shoemaker" house in which both he and his mother were born. The main building was moved back, after the addition on the rear, erected by Isaac C. Shoemaker, was torn down, and a new front was built on the house. The older portion of his residence was the residence of Judge Ben jamin Carpenter in 1808, when Isaac Shoemaker bought the farm, and has been continuously the residence of the Shoemaker family 109 years. Probably its only rival for consecutive occupancy by the same family, in the whole section in and about Wyoming, is the Dennison homestead, now owned (1918) by Richard B. Reilay, a descendant of Colonel Nathan Dennison. It is believed, on excellent authority, that the latter home was built by Benjamin Carpenter, whose daughter, Elizabeth, was married to Lazarus, son of Colonel Nathan and Elizabeth (Sill) Dennison. (See Family No. 14 -Carpenter.) Mr. Shoemaker has never, literally, retired from business, but has always been and still remains one of the most active men in the community in which he lives. His various investments and banking interests, his duties as trustee and in public office, his every day interest in the welfare of the community, the church, and the several fraternal and patriotic organizations with which he is identified, have served to keep him among the busy men of his day. He has served as executor or administrator of many estates and has been a vital factor in every institution with which he has been identified. He was elected Vice President of the First National Bank, of Wyoming, Pa., about the first of the year 1824. In answer to the call of Governor Curtin, at the time of the invasion of Pennsylvania by General Robert E. Lee, he enlisted, July 1, 1863, "to serve for three months unless sooner discharged" in Company E of the 49th Pennsylvania Militia. This regiment, which was sometimes called an "Emergency Regiment," was commanded by Colonel Murphy and was recruited at Harrisburg, Pa. The regiment was first stationed at Fort Lincoln, near Harrisburg, but was subsequently removed to Danville, Pa. It was later ordered to Philadelphia, Pa., where in Independence Square, Sept. 2, 1863, Jacob I. Shoemaker was honorably discharged by order of Governor Curtin. Company E of this regiment was commanded by Captain Joseph Hileman, a veteran of the Mexican War. Lieutenant Charles H. Reilay Post, No. 567, Grand Army of the Republic,* was instituted Nov. 5, 1887. Mr. Shoemaker was one of the charter members and was appointed Adjutant at the institution of the Post. He was elected Junior Vice Commander in 1889, Senior Vice Commander in 1890, and Post Commander in 1891. He has served as Adjutant from 1896 to 1924. He has represented Reilay Post at the State encampments Reilay Post, No. 567, G. A. R., was named for Lieutenant Charles H., son of Gilbert and Sarah (Denison) Reilay. He was born at Milo, Yates Co., N. Y., July 12, 1842, and was a grandson of Lazarus and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Denison. He was educated at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa.. and, Aug. 26, 1862, was mustered into the United States Service as Sergeant of Company A, 143d Regiment, Pa. Vol. Inf. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant Feb. 4, 1864, and to First Lieutenant Feb. 5, 1864. He was killed, while in command of Company E, of the 143d Regiment, at Laurel Hill, May 10, 1864. The first officers and charter members of Lieutenant Charles H. Reilay Post, No. 567, were Giles Comstock, Post Commander; John Smith, Senior Vice Post Commander; Dyer Bennett, Junior Vice Post Commander; Martin V. Revere, Quartermaster; Eli Parrish, Officer of the Day; William H. Rhoads, Officer of the Guard; James R. Griner, Sur geon; Jacob I. Shoemaker. Adjutant; Jacob Kintz, Sergeant Major; Lot Bilby, Quartermaster Sergeant; S. P. Shirley, William Bowman, Judson Comstock, Simon Smith and Joseph Vosburg, Aides de Camp. Charles H. Dorr of Nugent Post, No. 245, Pittston, Pa., was the Mustering Officer. |