Henry W. Shoemaker

Henry Wharton Shoemaker was a prominent American folklorist, historian, diplomat, writer, publisher, banker, broker, antiquarian, and conservationist. “Imagine a life that includes safaris to Africa, climbs to the world’s highest peaks, time on the front lines of war, and audiences with European royalty. Envision huge fortunes gained and lost. Think about efforts going into bringing lions, wolves, elk and other wild game into a private forest reserve stretching for 4,000 acres. From there you help initiate and name a vast system of state forests, parks, camps, and trails. Amass barns full of museum-quality remnants of pioneer life – wagons, canoes, spinning wheels, guns, and much, much more. While you’re at it, write more than 200 books and pamphlets, address thousands of groups, prepare a daily column, and manage four newspapers……….. If you can imagine all that, you have an idea of the enormity of Henry Shoemaker’s life.” - Bronner, Simon J. 1996. Popularizing Pennsylvania – Henry W. Shoemaker and the Progressive Uses of Folklore and History. University Park, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State Press. Known to his family as "Unc", and to his wife Mabel, or Tia, as "Harry", most people simply referred to him as "Colonel" or "the Colonel". Born in New York City, died in Williamsport, PA, and buried in Lock Haven, Clinton County, PA, near McElhattan and his beloved home, "Restless Oaks".