Rachel H. Shoemaker
Rachel Walter Hinkle Shoemaker (, Hinkle; October 1, 1838 - February 1, 1915) was a dramatic elocutionist and Shakespearean reciter. Early life Rachel (nickname, "Rachie") Walter Hinkle was born near Doylestown, Pennsylvania, on October 1, 1838. One of her ancestors on her father's side, William Hinkle, came to the U.S. with William Penn, with whom he was closely associated in the affairs of the colony of Pennsylvania. On her mother's side, Elizabeth Walter, her ancestors were Hollanders. Rachel Hinkle descended from Edward Marshall of Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, one of the participants in the Walking Purchase of 1737. Her parents were farmers. Rachel lived on the homestead farm until she was twenty years old. She was the youngest of five children. In childhood, she displayed a talent and liking for recitation. Her early education was such as the public schools gave in those days, and later, she attended the State Normal School in Millersville, Pennsylvania, where, after graduation, she remained as a teacher of English and French. Career Rachel Shoemaker always maintained a connection in some capacity with National School of Elocution and Oratory, the school founded with her husband. She acted as president when no one else was