George A Shuman (1827 - 1899)

Born 25 Sep 1827 in Perry, Pennsylvania, United States

Husband of Frances J (Bower) Shuman — married 13 Dec 1853 in Perry, Pennsylvania, United States

Died 8 Sep 1899 at age 71 in Perry, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Civil War Veteran Captain, Cos. C & H, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry

Enlisted 9/2/1861, discharged 7/28/1865. Was promoted to major but not mustered at that rank.

Was a tailor and owned Hotel Dempsey in Landisburg for many years. Was a member of the legislature.

Married on December 15, 1853 to Fannie J. Bower, daughter of Solomon Bower of Blain.

Two children survive him, Mrs. Mary V. Heim and Robert H. Shuman.

Obituary found in 2008;

Major George A. Shuman, one of the best known veteran soldiers of this county, died last Friday, at the residence of his son, Robert, in Landisburg, having been failing in health for several years and for the past year afflicted with sciatic rheumatism, which confined him to bed.

He was born in Landisburg 72 years ago. He was a tailor by trade, following that business at Tremont, Schuylkill County, and Millerstown and Andersonburg, this county.

He resided at the latter place when the Civil War began, and on September 2, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was mustered into service as a private, October 11th, and the next day was promoted to sergeant.

Other promotions followed in this order: First Sergeant, March 13, 1862; commissioned Second Lieutenant, August 8, 1863; Captain, November 16, 1863; Major, June 16, 1865.

He was mustered out at Lexington, N.C., on July 18, 1865, and discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., on July 28, 1865, having seen almost four years of continuous service. He was captured by Morgan's guerillas at New Albany, Ind. Morgan, upon learning that Major Shuman was a member of the same fraternity, returned his revolver and watch, which had both been taken from him.

He was with Sherman on his famous march from Atlanta to the sea, riding his war horse, "Annie" captured by James Cree in South Carolina and secured by Major Shuman soon thereafter. This mare he rode throughout the remainder of the war, and at its termination brought her home, she dying when 37 years old. He for years took her to the annual reunions of the Veterans Association of the Soldiers of Perry County, where he attracted a great deal of attention in like manner as her master was always honored and popular.

He represented the legislative district composed of the counties of Perry and Franklin in the legislatures of 1866 and 1867. He engaged in the grocery business in Landisburg in 1868, and in the fall of the same year became by purchase the landlord of the Hotel Dempsey.

He relinquished the hotel business in 1886, since which time he had been engaged in selling fertilizers and assisting his daughter, Mrs. Mary V. Heim, in the management of her farm, near Loysville.

He was married December 13, 1853, to Miss Fannie J. Bower, daughter of Solomon Bower, of Jackson Township. Mrs. Shuman died October 31, 1885, leaving the two children already named. Major Shuman was a member of Adams Lodge, No. 310, F&AM and Sergeant John Jones Post No. 448, G.A.R., both of New Bloomfield.

His body was interred at Landisburg on Monday morning according to burial rites of the Lutheran Church, followed with Masonic and G.A.R. ceremonies.

Inscription Age 71 yrs 11 mo 14 days, 9th Pa. Vet. Vol. Cav., Father

Sources

• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/9XJY-4RD

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6845212/george-a-shuman