Marcus Shoup
Out of the depths of his mature wisdom, Carlyle wrote: "History is the essence of innumerable biographies." Macaulay has said : "The history of a nation is best told in the lives of its people." It is therefore fitting that the sketches of Greene county's eminent men should find a place in this volume. Marcus Shoup is known as one of the most capable lawyers of the Greene county bar, as a Republican of prominence and as a promoter of many industries which have proved of great value to the city and county while advancing his individual success. He was born in Beavercreek township, Greene county, on the .5th of May, 1869, and is a son of Daniel M. and Maria (Wampler) Shoup. He comes of one of the old pioneer families of Greene county, the ancestral history having long been interwoven with the annals of this portion of the state. His paternal great-grandfather, George Shoup, located in Bea\ercreek township in 1796, having removed to Ohio from Hagerstown, Maryland, which was the old home of his ancestors who had come from Switzerland to the new world during the latter part of the seventeenth century. Soon after his arrival George Shoup entered two sections of land in Beavercreek township, and devoted his attention to the development and improvement of the farm. He was also a minister of the German Baptist church, and engaged in proclaiming the gospel throughout his portion of the country, his influence contributing in no small degree to the moral development of his community. Moses W. Shoup, the grandfather of our subject, was born, reared and died on the old family homestead which his father had developed and improved. He was a prosperous farmer, owning about one thousand acres of land. His life was ever honorable and upright and he became a preacher of the Dunkard church.
Daniel M. Shoup, the father of our subject, was born on the old family homestead, September 10, 1822, and there spent his hovliood days, in fact, continuing to make his home there until 1854, when he purchased land in Beavercreck township and removed to the farm which has since been his home. 'I'hroughout his entire life he has carried on agricultural pursuits, and has prospered in his undertakings, his well directed labors bringing to him creditable success. In early life he was a stanch advocate of the Whig party, and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the Republican party, with which he has since aftiliated. He, too, is a member and minister of the German Baptist church. He married Maria Wampler in August, 1844, and took her as a bride to the old home farm. She was born in Stark county, Ohio, February 24. 1827, a daughter of Philip and Catherine (Royer) Wampler. who removed from Carroll county, Maryland, to Ohio. They spent one year in Stark county and subsequently they took up their abode on the Stillwater, in Montgomery county, which was the home of Mrs. Shoup at the time of her marriage. She died in 1900, but the father of our subject is still living.
Mr. Shoup began his education in the district schools of Beavercreek township, and was later graduated in the high school of that township. Subsequently he entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, where he spent four years and on the completion of the regular course was graduated in the class of 1888 with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences. He then entered the office of Craighead & Craighead, of Dayton, as a law student, remaining with them for more than a year, when he continued his studies in the office and under the direction of Judge E. H. Munger. of Xenia, Ohio, with whom he remained until admitted to the bar, on the 6th of .March, 1890. At that time Mr. Shoup opened an office in Xenia and has since engaged in general practice. Professional advancement is proverbially slow. The first element of success is perhaps a persistency of purpose, an eff'ort as enduring as the force of gravity. These Mr. Shoup possessess. He also possesses aptitude, character and individuality. He has gained a good clientage which has constantly increased. connecting him with much of the most important litigation tried in the courts of his district. His careful preparation of cases is supplemented by a power of argument and a forceful presentation of his points, so that he never fails to impress court or jury and has gained many verdicts favorable to his clients. Mr. Shoup has taken his part as an active factor in the Republican party in Greene county. He has served as chairman of the County central connnittee and of the county executive committee, and has been a delegate to various congressional and state conventions. In 1894 he was elected, without opposition, as proscculing attorney for Greene county, and three years later was re-elected without opposition for the second term, so that he continued in tlie office for six years, discharging his duties acceptably to the people and with credit to himself. On the 7th of April, 1902, he was nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for probate judge and in this county a nomination is equivalent to an election on the Republican ticket.
While the practice of law has been the real life work of Mr. Shoup, he has yet contributed in a large measure to commercial and industrial activity and has been the promoter of many enterprise. and business interests of great benefit to his community. In connection with J. W. Neff he was one of the active organizers of the Rapid Transit Company. which was later consolidated with the Dayton & Xenia Traction Company. Mr. Shoup became secretary, treasurer and attorney of the former, which constructed its line and operated it for two years prior to the consolidation. To our subject much credit is due for giving to Xenia better transportation facilities, that being the first electric railway in the county. He also organized the Citizen's Telephone Company and was its president until its consolidation with the Springfield Home Telephone Company. In company with others he organized the Xenia Buggy Company, and is now its secretary and treasurer. This is one of the successful manufacturing institutions of the city, turning out about five hundred vehicles each year and giving employment to about forty men. In connection with J. F. Orr, Mr. Shoup organized the Home Building & Savings Company, in 1894, and it is now the second largest building and loan association in the county. Mr. Shoup has been its attorney from its organization and is also attorney for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad.
In 1892 Mr. Shoup was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Bradley, who died the following year. On the 12th of January. 1897, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Mahanna, of Hillsboro, Ohio. They now have two children, Pauline E. and Catherine L. Fraternallv Mr. Shoup is connected with Xenia Lodge, No. 49, F. & A. M., and has also taken the chapter degree. He also belongs to Ivanhoe Lodge. No. 56, K. P., of which he is past chancellor, and is one of the charter members of Xenia Lodge, No. 668, B. P. O. E. In his social and professional life he is a most honored and honorable man. He is likewise a loyal, patriotic American, devoted to the interests of his native land and his community. His life has been a straightforward, honorable and upright one. Indolence is utterly foreign to his nature and his enterprising and progressive spirit of perseverance, supplemented by strong mentality, have been the stepping stones by which he has risen to an eminent position at the Greene county bar.
From History of Greene County, Ohio, by George F. Robinson (S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1902)