User:Choess/Thomas Shoemaker

Thomas A. Shoemaker was a railroad contractor in Pennsylvania, himself the nephew of the Collins brothers, contractors.

His partner was T.L. Eyre; the contracting company was Eyre Shoemaker, Inc. They graded the Pennsylvania Railroad's large classification yard at Northumberland, and built the PRR spur at Pleasant Gap to the Whiterock Quarries, of which Shoemaker and Eyre were both on the first board of directors, and Shoemaker first president. Eyre Shoemaker was contractor for the rebuilding of the Connecting Ry. Schuylkill River Bridge in 1912 (portion spanning river), and PRR bridge at Mount Union 1906. Had contract for double-tracking the Chicago & Erie in 1912. See also CSX Susquehanna River Bridge.

This work seems to have driven them into receivership; dissolved 1914.

Involved in the management of the Bellefonte Furnace Company in 1896. Was general superintendent of the Buffalo Run, Bald Eagle and Bellefonte Railroad, and continued so after its reorganization in 1892 as the Bellefonte Central Railroad. President of the Center County Banking Company.