BIOGRAPHY: William T. SHIMP, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, page 474.

  WILLIAM T. SHIMP, SR., Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., was born in Granville 
township, near Lewistown, April 28, 1830, son of John and Margaret (Thompson) 
Shimp.  His paternal grandparents, Casper and Catherine (Geyer) Shimp, came from 
Germany about the beginning of the present century.  Some time after arriving in 
Pennsylvania, they settled in Lancaster county, but subsequently removed to 
Mifflin county, then included in Cumberland.  Here Mr. Shimp took up his 
residence in Granville township, and during the rest of his life was occupied 
with farming.  His family numbered five sons and two daughters.  One of his sons 
was John, father of William T. Shimp, who was probably born in Lancaster county.  
He received the usual training of a farmer's son, including an education in the 
subscription schools of those days.  Like his father, he made the all-important 
business of agriculture his lifework.  As a citizen, he was much interested in 
local affairs, an active and progressive man, and held in much esteem.  He and 
Mrs. Shimp were both faithful members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mrs. 
Shimp was especially regarded as a zealous worker.  She is well and 
affectionately remembered for her hospitality and for her warm, unostentatious 
charity.  Their children are:  John Alexander, married Euphemia Low, has four 
daughters and one son;  William T.;  Jane (Mrs. Robert Shaw), has five children;  
Henry, married a lady in Illinois, and now resides in Ohio;  and Alvin, married 
Mary Breneman, has six children.  The excellent mother died in 1864, aged about 
sixty-three years;  her good husband survived her until the following year, when 
he died, aged about seventy-eight years.
  As quiet and uneventful as the youthful days of his father and grandfather 
were those of William T. Shimp, alternating between the limited course of study 
in the township school, and the useful occupations of the farm.  At the age of 
eighteen the young farmer varied this rather monotonous routine by going to try 
his fortune in the west.  It appears that he was not altogether successful, as 
he remained three years;  but at the end of that time he found it best to be at 
home.  There he took charge of the management of his father's farm.  In 1866 he 
bought the homestead, and from that time has carried on its affairs with 
satisfaction and profit.  His first farming was done on a tract known as the 
Banks farm, on which Andrew Spanogle now resides.  In 1885 Mr. Shimp gave up 
active work, and has since resided in the borough of Lewistown;  his home is a 
comfortable and convenient cottage on Wayne street.  He has always been 
interested in the affairs of the township;  he served nine years as school 
director, and six years as road supervisor.  He is regarded as a worthy and 
useful citizen.  He is a Democrat.
  William T. Shimp was married May 25, 1854, to Mary E., daughter of Maj. David 
and Elizabeth (Dewalt) Hough, who was of Huguenot ancestry, at least on the 
maternal. Side.  She was born September 26, 1834.  Their children are:  Joel D., 
married Rosanna Steely, has one child;  Juniata B. (Mrs. George Potter), has 
three children;  John G., married Vina Spears, of Ohio, resides at Columbus, O.;  
Edward, married Mary Kennedy, of Dauphin county, has four sons;  William T.;  
Ira T.;  and Homer.  Mr. Shimp is a member of the Presbyterian church at 
Lewistown, as was also his excellent wife.  Mrs. William T. Shimp died December 
4, 1896.