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 living, namely: Henry, of Castle Rock, Minn.: Dwight, of Northfield, Minn.: 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, Minn. 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 Dairymen¹s 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 county.