IN MEMORIAM-LOUIS PEIRCE SHOEMAKER,

1856-1916.

BY JOHN A. SAUL.

(Read before the Society, January 16, 1917.)

Mr. Louis Peirce Shoemaker was born at Cloverdale, or Peirce's mill, on Rock Creek, July 2, 1856, and died in the city of Washington on the 24th day of November, 1916. He resided here during his entire life. He was a son of Peirce Shoemaker and Martha Carbery Shoemaker. His paternal ancestors were amongst the first settlers of Pennsylvania and one of the family was mayor of Philadelphia at the time of the Revolution. His maternal ancestors are of record in the annals of this Society. Thomas Carbery, the sixth Mayor of Washington, was his great uncle, and Mrs. Ann Mattingly his great aunt. His forebears owned most of the land upon which the city of Washington now stands, and his antecedents on both sides were amongst the best in the District. His grandfather, Louis Carbery, was connected with the local government of Georgetown, where he resided, and served as surveyor of the District of Columbia, being a civil engineer of great ability. Mr. Shoemaker's mother, Martha Carbery, was a beautiful woman, and one of the belles of the Capital in its early social life. His father was a handsome man, and bore a striking likeness to Genl. Robert E. Lee.

Mr. Shoemaker's father served in the Levy Court, and was one of the judges of the local county courts in the early days of the city. Thus his love for and interest in the city of his birth were natural, and his public spirit came by right from both sides the house.

Mr. Shoemaker was graduated from St. John's College in 1870, this city, and Georgetown University Law School, taking his LL.M. in 1881.

Mr. Shoemaker was identified with many of the large business enterprises of the District of Columbia, being a director

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in the Potomac Insurance Company, the Washington Loan and Trust Company, and the Columbia National Bank. He was one of the organizers and president of the Takoma Club and Library. He was prominent in the Northwest Suburban Association, and the Meridian Hill and Lanier Heights associations. He was one of the organizers of the Brightwood Citizens' Association, and for seventeen years prior to his death was its president. Not only did he speak for the city before these associations, but he was the champion of the people before the committees of Congress, District Commissioners, Chamber of Commerce, and the like.

Although active in business Mr. Shoemaker found time to indulge his taste for other matters, being a versatile man. He was a great lover of nature, and was accustomed to take long drives into the country and enjoy the flora and fauna of this vicinity, with which he was quite familiar. His attractive home on Georgia Ave., surrounded as it is with rare shrubs and trees, exemplifies his taste not only in the variety but in the disposition of the same.

Mr. Shoemaker was a strong forceful character, vigorous in debate, and at all times in thorough command of himself. Yet he had a genial refined nature, quiet and unassuming in his manners and approachable to all. As a presiding officer he was considerate, just and tactful, and many are the occasions when storms appeared to be brewing, he smoothed and harmonized conflicting parties by his skill and good nature.

It was in his home and social life that Mr. Shoemaker appeared at his best and in which he truly lived. In his beautiful home on Georgia Ave. he loved to entertain his friends, and with his pleasing personality and easy affable manners he made a charming host. In his home he had a great number of curios and antiques that he had collected in many parts of the country.

Mr. Shoemaker was twice married, first to Miss Katharine Gallaher, of Augusta, Georgia, and then to Miss Henrietta Simms of this city, who survives him. A son, Mr. Abner Cloud Peirce Shoemaker, by the first marriage, is living.

The memory of our departed friend will linger forever with