His mother Didamiah Michael 1815-1845 is the 1st wife Enoch Shoemake.

In 1840, Isaac came by covered wagon to Mahaska Co., Iowa from Indiana with his parents when he was about one year old.

Isaac volunteered with the Union Army, Company H, 8th Regiment of the Iowa Infantry and served from August 21, 1861 until April 20, 1866 in the Battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg and all others his regiment was in. He was taken prisoner on May 14, 1863 at Jackson, Mississippi for a short time during his service but was soon exchanged by the Confederacy to the Union forces.

During a brief furlough, he married his wife Ruth Ann Williams.

They had 11 children - William T., Margaret, John W., Bertha L., Rupert, Charles, Harriet, Lena, Carroll, Della Mae and Ada Faye.

=====

Source: Biographical sketch of Isaac G. Shoemake, _MAHASKA COUNTY, IOWA BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY_, p. 360, 365. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887.

ISAAC G. SHOEMAKE, a highly respected farmer of Madison Township, was born in the State of Indiana, April 8, 1839, and is the son of Enoch and Desdemona (Nicols) [my note- Error - should be Dedemiah Michael(s)] Shoemake]. His father was a native of Ohio and his mother of Indiana. They came to Iowa in 1840, and located in Jefferson County, where they resided for three years, then came to this county and settled in Madison Township, where they took up a claim and improved it. Isaac G. remained at home working with his father up on the farm until the outbreak of the late rebellion, when he enlisted in Co. H, 8th Iowa Vol. Inf., and served with his regiment until the close of the war, participating in many battles and skirmishes, and faithfully and bravely performing his duty as a soldier.

After the war Mr. Shoemake returned to his home in this county and on March 30, 1864, was united in marriage with Miss Ruth A. Williams, a daughter of Charles and Ruth (Anderson) Williams, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemake are the parents of ten children: William, deceased; Maggie and Bertha, at home; John, deceased; Rupert, Charles, Hattie and Lena, at home; Carl, deceased, and Della, at home.

Mr. Shoemake is an active, wide-awake Republican, and a member of the G. A. R. He is President of the School Board in his district, and the friend and encourager of education. His home farm consists of 200 acres of fine land in an excellent state of cultivation, and supplied with the better class of improvements. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence and fine business ability, and has made a success of his avocation. He possesses those qualities which constitute a first-class citizen, and enjoys the confidence and regard of his acquaintances and friends.

=====

Source: Unknown newspaper article, family file.

DEATH CALLS AN OLD SOLDIER
- - - -
Isaac Shoemake, Civil War Veteran And Highly Respected Citizen and Business Man, Passed Away Sunday
- - - -
Isaac Shoemake, a veteran of the Civil War and one of New Sharon's most highly respected citizens, passes to his eternal reward on last Sunday afternoon after an illness lasting for several weeks. Mr. Shoemake followed farming most of life but retired to New Sharon some years ago and became quite active in business. He formerly owned the meat market on Main Street, also the Variety store now owned and operated by David Hill. In addition to this he owned several dwelling houses and other buildings in town.

He was genial in disposition and greatly admitted by a large circle of people who will be sorry to learn of his death. He was honest and upright in all of his dealings with his fellow men and will be greatly missed by the people of New Sharon.

Funeral service were held on Tuesday afternoon in charge of Rev. M. D. Cox. A large crowd of old friends and neighbors were present at the last obsequies.

Interment was made in the Friends cemetery here.

This notice to be published in the New Sharon Star on October 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.

We note by the following sketch that Mr. Shoemake was one of the oldest citizens of Mahaska county, having come here when he was only one year old and resided here 79 years. He also had a long war record having served his country for more than five years.

Isaac Shoemake son of Enoch and Didamiah Shoemake, was born April 8, 1839, and departed this life October 5, 1919, being 80 years, 5 months and 27 days of age. His father's family consisted of 13 children and came to Iowa, Mahaska county, in 1840, and here Isaac grew to manhood.

On August 21, 1861, Mr. Shoemake enlisted in Company H 8th regiment, Iowa Infantry to defend his country from being torn asunder by secession. After 3 years of service he was discharged on January 10, 1864, because of reenlistment for 3 years more. He was finally discharged on April 20, 1866, after 5 years of service for his country. He participated in such battles as Shiloh, and Vicksburg, and many minor engagements. On May 14, 1863, he was taken prisoner at Jackson, Miss., but was soon exchanged. Mr. Shoemake returned home from the army for a few weeks and it was during this time that he was married to Miss Ruth Ann Williams of Oskaloosa, Ia. He soon afterwards went to join his company leaving his bride of a few days behind.

Mr. and Mrs. Shoemake were married March 30, 1864, and to them were born 11 children, 4 of whom have preceded Mr. Shoemake in death: they are William, Mrs. Maggie Holloway, John and Carl [My note - Carl should be Carroll]. Of these only Maggie lived to maturity.

The living children are: Mrs. Bertha Fisher, Rupert, Mrs. Hattie Rice, Mrs. Lena Phillips, Mrs. Mae Shroyer, of New Sharon, Charles of Aberdeen, S. Dak., and Mrs. Ada Fay McCombs of Des Moines. All of the children were at the bedside of the father when he passed away.

Besides his wife and seven children, he leaves 29 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He also leaves to mourn his departure one brother, Enoch of California and 3 sisters: Mrs. Mary Curley of California, Mrs. Ella Custer of California, and Mrs. Sarah Barr of Oskaloosa. [My note - these were Isaac's half-sisters from his father's second marriage with Mary Hale]

After Mr. Shoemake was discharged from the army he and his wife went to housekeeping on a farm in Madison township, Mahaska county, and continued to reside there until 1910, when they removed to New Sharon.

His life of honesty, integrity, and usefulness is too well known in this vicinity for comment. His friends and neighbors always received gracious welcomed by him and his heart and home were always open to the poor and oppressed.

Although not a member of any of the local organizations of the church nevertheless everyone knew that the principals of Christianity were exemplified in his life.

He will be missed not only by his immediate relatives, but by the business men of the community who realize that an honorable man has gone to his reward.

Among the out of town people attending the Isaac Shoemake funeral were: Homer Holloway and family of Cummings, Harry McCombs and family of Des Moines, Chas. Shoemake of Aberdeen, S. Dak., Fred Mendenhall and family of Des Moines, Tom Williams of Oskaloosa, George Williams of Chillicothe, Will Boerman of Beacon, George Shipley of What Cheer, Harry Hull of Oskaloosa, Mose Barr of Oskaloosa, Fred Barr and family of Lacey, Chas. Crisman and family of Oskaloosa, John and Fred Else of Leighton, Quince McConnell of Bussey, Osa McConnell of Oskaloosa, Gene McConnell and wife of Oskaloosa, Mrs. Lottie Habener of Bussey Mrs. Edith Shroyer of Oskaloosa, Frank Shoemake of Oskaloosa, and Dawn Barr of Oskaloosa.