Last updated: September 6, 2023
Person
Louis P. Shoemaker
Quick Facts
Place of Birth:
Washington, DC
Date of Birth:
1856
Place of Death:
Washington, DC
Date of Death:
November 24, 1916
Place of Burial:
Washington, DC
Cemetery Name:
Rock Creek Cemetery
Louis Peirce Shoemaker was born in what is now Rock Creek Park on the Cloverdale Estate. His father was Peirce Shoemaker and his mother was Martha Carberry.
Louis appears to be the only male child of Peirce and Martha to reach adulthood and get married. He and his wife, Kate Gallagher, had one son Abner Cloud Peirce Shoemaker in 1885.
While the rest of the family farmed and lived on Peirce Mill Road (modern day Tilden Street NW) Louis and Kate lived in the Brightwood area. Louis ran a very successful business as a real estate broker. It is unclear if he is the "Mr. Shoemaker" mentioned in early park documents or if it is his father. It's possible that as a real estate broker, he was trying to get the best possible deal for his family's lands when the government began to acquire it in the 1890s to create Rock Creek Park. Peirce Shoemaker died in 1891 and his estate was put into a trust.
In 1908, Abner caused quite a stir in papers across the country. In that year, he married Cora Glover Godman. Cora was 20 years Abner's senior. Originally, Abner had been seen paying court to Cora's daughter, Mary Godman. Abner was very secretive over his dealings and his parents had no idea of his intention to marry until he sent them a letter. In 1916, he once again caused a stir when he and Cora adopted her grandson. Having no children of their own, they adopted Mary Godman Gardner's son. The baby's mother and father had divorced, and the father returned to Europe. The child was named Louis Peirce Gardner and "made heir of Abner C. P. and Mrs. Shoemaker." Mrs. Shoemaker was independently wealthy, and estimated to be worth over $100,000.
Louis's wife died in 1910. He married Harriett Sims in 1911.
In his will, he tasked his son Abner with ensuring Harriett received a 1/4 portion of the Peirce Estate trust for her use for the remainder of her life.
Abner died suddenly in Atlantic City, NJ in 1920. At that point his cousins descended from Peirce Shoemaker's daughters took over management of the estate.