BIOGRAPHY - FREDERICK SHAMBROOK
Frederick T. Shambrook, the owner of two hundred and eighty-seven acres of valuable farming land, is a self-made man who has gained his present prosperity entirely through his own well directed energy and enterprise. He was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, September 15, 1858, a son of John and Mary (Parkin) Shambrook, who are mentioned at length in the sketch of James R. Shambrook on another page of this volume.
Frederick T. Shambrook pursued his education in the district schools of Ford county, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained adult age. He then purchased eighty acres of land on section 6, Lyman township, and improved same by the erection of a fine residence and all other necessary accessories of a model farming property. Moreover, as the years passed he bought more and more land from time to time until his holdings now comprise two hundred and eighty-seven acres situated in the beautiful valley of the Pan Handle, in Ford county. In addition to his general agricultural pursuits he has also made a specialty of raising and feeding stock, and both branches of his business are bringing to him a gratifying financial return annually, so that he is widely recognized as a substantial and enterprising citizen of the county. There is no more productive land in all Lyman township than is comprised within his farm, and his success is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that he started out in life empty-handed, dependent entirely upon his own resources.
In 1885 Mr. Shambrook was united in marriage to Miss Polly Hammett, a native of England, who came to America with her parents when still very young. The father is deceased, but the mother still survives him, making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Shambrook. The latter was one of a family of three children, and by her marriage has also become the mother of three children, namely: Walter W., who is married and operates eighty acres of his father's farm; and Elmer J. and Etta, both at home.
Politically Mr. Shambrook is a republican and is quite prominent in the local ranks of his party, having served as school director and road commissioner for several years. He is also a member of the Court of Honor at Roberts, Illinois, while his wife and daughter hold membership in the Presbyterian church. For almost thirty years he has been an important factor in agricultural circles of Ford county, and his prosperity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags. He is public spirited, giving his cooperation to every movement which tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community. The hospitality of the best homes of the locality is freely extended to him, as well as to the members of his household, the circle of his friends being almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
Extracted 17 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 870-871.
