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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, 
Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871
(page 51)

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John Shuman, the subject of this sketch, was born in Juniatta county Pennsylvania, 1819, and emigrated to Fulton county, Illinois, in the spring of 1852, and settled in Vermont township on section two. The first year Mr. Shuman worked by the day, at 75 cents a day. Then taught school for six years, both summer and winter, at 20 dollars per month. Then he purchased a farm in Vermont township, being a part of the south-west quarter of section two, for which he paid eighteen hundred and seventy-five dollars; farmed the same for four years and then sold the same for forty-five hundred dollars. He then purchased another in Pleasant township, being a part of section eleven, where he now resides, for the sum of forty-seven hundred dollars which is now one of the best farms in Pleasant township. Mr. Shuman is one of the successful farmers and stock dealers in Fulton county. He has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for six years; and also, the office of Assessor for five years, and now is the senior member of the firm of Shuman Elder, & Co., of Ipavia, Illinois, grain and stock dealers, which firm handled over one hundred thousand dollars worth of grain the past year. 
    
Mr. Shuman was married on the 15th day of May, 1852, to Miss Margaret Heckman, a native of Pennsylvania; they have had to them two children, namely: Lewis and William; both of whom reside at home with their parents. 
    
Mr. Shuman is now fifty-one years old; and is one of the most active and sterling men in the community; discharging the various duties devolving upon him by his business and official positions. Mr. Shuman is one of those wide-awake men, a thorough trader and a model farmer.