Harry SHEUMAKER was born November 5, 1883, in Blockton, Iowa [the son of Samuel H. and Leanna (DRINKLE) SHEUMAKER], and Gertrude CROUCH was born April 18, 1885, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. She came to Redding, Iowa with her parents, {John Marion and Myra (MILLER) CROUCH]. Before her marriage, she was a teacher in rural school near Redding.

Dr. and Mrs. SHEUMAKER came to Tingley immediately after their marriage and established their home. Dr. SHEUMAKER had just graduated from the Kansas City Veterinary College, and he set up his veterinary practice in Tingley which continued until the late '60's.

NOTE: Dr. SHEUMAKER was born in Clinton Township of Ringgold County on November 5, 1884, the son of Enos Miller and Elizabeth (BERRY) SHEUMAKER.

[Dr. Harry Drinkel and Gertrude SHEUMAKER] were members of the Tingley U.P. Church. Both Harry and Gertrude were active in community affairs. Gertrude taught Sunday School classes for many years and was deeply involved in school organizaitons. Harry was a town council member formany years and alos a member of the school board for fourteen or fifteen years.

They were the parents of two children: Marian [born 1911], now Mrs. Donald STARK of Traer, Iowa; and Robert G., Dr. R.G. SHEUMAKER [1916-1996] of Danbury, Iowa, who married Jean ANDERSON of Danbury. The Donald STARKS have two children: Dr. James E. STARK of Dubuque, Iowa; and Jean, Mrs. Wm. P. McCARTY of North Libery, Iowa. The Dr. R. G. SHEUMAKERS have four daughters: Susan, Mrs. Tom McLUEN of Spokane, Washington; Ellen, Mrs. Garry BEIGHTOL of Des Moines; Joan, Mrs. Dave DAVIS of Sioux City, Iowa; and Nancy, Mrs. Steve RENDALL of Pleasant Hill, Iowa. There are now ten great-grandchildren.

Harry began practice when he would have to sit up all night with colicky horses, and travel mud roads. He began practice driving a team and a rig. When he graduated from veterinary school, he had been schooled to the fact that he should present a professional image. One of his first trips ended in a run-away made more traumatic by a "plug" hat which was jammed down over his eyes during the fracas. Everything ended without serious injury or damage, but that was probably the beginning of the end of trying to maintain a professional image. He later graduated to a Model T Ford. By the way, the door on the driver's side was not made to open. Many times it was necessary to walk from farm to farm because of deep snow or mud. He doctored small animals but didn't get paid for that. Now his grandson's practice is exclusively small animal and he does get paid.

Harry graduated in 1910 from Kansas City Veterinary College; his son Robert graduated in 1940 from Iowa State University Veterinary College; his grandson "Jim" graduated in 1970 from Iowa State University Veterinary College. Harry joked about his being smarter than his son or grandson. The length of the course in 1910 was only three years, but it took son Robert five years in 1940, and grandson "Jim" six years in 1970 to arrive at the same degree. Now the average length of the course is eight years.

Because of ill health and the scarcity of home help, Dr. and Mrs. SHEUMAKER left Tingley in 1970 and went to a care center in Mapleton, Iowa, which was near their son, Dr. R. G. SHEUMAKER. Harry died February 6, 1974 at the age of 89, and Gertrude died June 4, 1980, at 95 years of age.

NOTE: Dr. Robert G. SHEUMAKER was born October 1, 1916, and died in April of 1996, Danbury, Iowa.

SOURCE: Tingley, Iowa Centennial: 1883 - 1983. p. 127. PSI, Inc. Belmond IA. 1983.
Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library, September of 2011

Notes and transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2011