M. SHOOKMAN, one of the progressive men in the mercantile circles of Goshen, for over ten years engaged i the grocery and meat business, was born in Cass county, Michigan, Apr. 14, 1857.  He is of German lineage through his father, and English through his mother.  His father, Otho Shookman, a native of Ohio, came to Michigan with his parents, was reared, educated and married in the latter state, has spent his life very successfully as a farmer, and still lives on the Cass county homestead.  The maiden name of the mother was Elizabeth Wright, who homestead.  The maiden name of the mother was Elizabeth Wright, who was born in Michigan and is still living.  They were the parents of six children, four daughters and two sons, five of whom grew to adult age.
     Mr. Shookman, the third child and second son, was reared in his native county, but received his education in the schools of Decatur, Vanburen county.  After living on the home farm and assisting his parents until he was eighteen years old, he started out for himself by engaging in the butcher business, which he followed in the town of Decatur, Michigan, about eight years.  On selling out he spent some time in South Bend, this state, and located at Goshen in 1893.  He and Mr. Simons conducted a retail grocery and meat market together for a time, and then Mr. Shookman bought the entire concern, and since then has carried on one of the leading provision stores in this city.
     Mr. Shookman married, in 1880, Miss Charity Rich, daughter of Josephus Rich, and they have one son, Bert.  Mr. Shookman is a Democrat in politics, and fraternally is a member of the Maccabees.
Source: A Twentieth Century History & Biological Record of Elkhart County, Indiana by Anthony Deahl - Publ. by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905 - Page 754