Simon Shoecraft 1836-1912

SHOECRAFT, MCINTOSH

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 12/24/2007 at 22:55:35

The Clinton Herald Wednesday December 11, 1912 p. 10 Simon Shoecraft, aged 76 years, one of Clinton's oldest and most prominent residents, died Tuesday evening at 7:20 o'clock at his residence, 539 5th avenue, his death following a lingering illness. No funeral arrangements had been completed Wednesday morning. Mr. Shoecraft had been a resident of Clinton half a century, coming here in 1862 as principal of the city schools, in which capacity he served for two years. He then engaged in the fuel and flour business and at the time of his death was the president of S. Shoecraft & Son company, engaged in that business. He was also vice-president of the Merchants' National bank. The deceased was born in Boylston, Oswegeo county, New York, on September 22, 1836, and was married to Miss Jutie C. McIntosh of Hartford, Conn. Left to mourn his death is his bereaved wife, one daughter, Miss Letitia Shoecraft, and one grand-son, Master Robert Shoecraft. Mr. Shoecraft's death will bring regret to his great number of Clinton friends. He was regarded as one of Clinton's successful businessmen, having founded one of its substantial business concerns and having been at all times interested in the welfare of the city.

The Clinton Herald Friday December 13, 1912 p. 8 Funeral services for the late Simon Shoecraft were held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the late residence, 539 Fifth avenue. Rev. C.L. Nye, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church officiated and interment was made in Springdale cemetery. Concerning the life of Mr. Shoecraft, a friend has contributed the following: With the passing of Mr. Simon Shoecraft, Clinton loses one of her most prominent citizens and successful business men. A pioneer among our merchants and engaged largely in the wholesale business he had an extensive acquaintance and wide circle of friends. Born in Boylson, Oswego county, New York, September 22, 1836, he had the usual York state's pride in his native state and loved to talk of his early years on his father's farm. In 1853, he came west and first taught school in DeWitt. The relations of teacher and pupil was productive of very close ties of friendship and for years an annual reunion of teacher and former pupils has been held in DeWitt. By his own preservance and untiring energy he was enabled to take a college course in Mt. Vernon, Ia., graduating from Cornell college in 1862 and accepting the position of principal of the Clinton public schools. In 1865, he brought to the city his bride, nee Miss Jutie C. McIntoch of Hartford, Conn. This happy union which was fast nearing the golden wedding anniversary, was blessed with two children, Lucius, who was also associated with him in the business widely known as S. Shoecraft and Son Co., and Miss Letitia, the devoted daughter who has so faithfully administered to his comfort through the illness which followed the death of the son in March 1911. Mr. Shoecraft began his active business career in 1866, engaging in a small way in the fuel business which was enlarged from time to time. He was, at his death, vice-president of the Merchants National bank, and up to the time of his illness was actively engaged in various other business enterprises. But it is in his life as an active Christian worker that Mr. Shoecraft will be most missed by the friends who knew him best. Very early in life he united with the church of his father and has during his life in Clinton been a devoted member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, where he has filled many official positions, being at his death, a member of the board of trustees. At the meeting of the quarterly conference of the church held in November prior to his death, the quarterly conference passed resolutions of sympathy and officially recognized his long and faithful work as a member of that body. He was ever known as a friend of what is commonly known as the poorer class; and advocated such methods of conducting the affairs of the church as to make the most humble feel welcome and at home in the house of the Lord. He was associated with the late Mr. A.J. Speter in the building of Bowman M.E. church, and was for several years a very successful superintendent of the Bowman M.E. Sunday school. He was devoted to the weekly prayer meetings of the church and many times recalled the early childhood days when he attended such meetings with his mother. A loving husband and father, a congenial friend, a man with large sympathy for the downfallen, a man who loved the house of God, and esteemed the service of the master as the supreme service of man, he will be missed by many friends.