Posted on: Page Co. Ia Biographies Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ia/PageBios?read=6 Surname: SHUM, McMICHAEL, TRUE ------------------------- PETER SHUM, JR. Peter Shum, Jr., who conducts an up-to-date livery stable in Clarinda, was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Valley township, Page county. He was born in Vermont on the 8th of December, 1853, a son of Peter and Elizabeth ( Peanor) Shum, who were both born in Canada and went to Vermont with their respective parents. They were married in that state and later moved to Lee county, Iowa, in I858. There they rented a farm for a while and then Mr. Shum purchased eighty acres of land, to which he subsequently added another tract of eighty acres, which he operated until 1874, when he sold his farm and moved to Page county. In this county the mother passed away and in I902 the father removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he yet resides at the age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of sixteen children, nine of whom still survive. Coming to Iowa when but five years of age, Peter Shum, Jr., acquired his education in the common schools of this state, and when not engaged with his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the farm. He early became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and the experience thus gained in his boyhood and youth proved of great assistance to him when, having reached his twenty-first year, he undertook the operation of his father's farm. He continued to reside upon the homestead for eleven years and then he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Valley township, which he continued to improve and develop. He put his fields under a high state of cultivation and became very successful in his various agricultural pursuits, operating this farm for about fourteen years. At the expiration of that period he sold his property and came to Clarinda, where he purchased a livery barn, in the conduct of which he has since been engaged. He owns eight good teams and at all times keeps his vehicles in first-class order, his livery being up-to-date and modern in all of its appointments. He is a good business man and has been most successful in his undertaking, the fact that he is ever square and upright in all of his dealings making him popular with a large and constantly growing patronage. Mr. Shum has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary A. McMichael, who was born in Page county. Their wedding was celebrated in '875 and unto this union were born three children, namely: Nora L., the wife of Harry Turner, residing in Clarinda; Myrtle, who wedded F. L Moore and resides in Villisca, Iowa; and S. W., who is also married and makes his home in this city. In 1885 the wife and mother passed to her final rest, and two years later Mr. Shum was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary J. True, a native of Des Moines county, Iowa. By her marriage she became the mother of four children, as follows: Ora, the wife of Neal Turner, of Shenandoah, Iowa; Georgia, who married Clyde Nealy and resides in Clarinda; Jessie, who is still under the parental roof and is now attending high school at Clarinda; and Hazel, at home. In his fraternal relations Mr. Shum is a member of Hepburn Lodge, No. 482, I. O. O. F. He has given his allegiance to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he served as constable and road supervisor for eleven years. Public-spirited in his citizenship, he takes a deep interest in all matters that tend toward the substantial and permanent growth and development of the community. His success ranks him among the prosperous and progressive citizens of Clarinda, and he is popular with a large circle of friends who entertain for him high regard and esteem. HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY, IOWA, by W. L. Kershaw; Volume 2, Chicago; The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1909