Miranda Buchanan was born on February 20, 1830, in Fabius, Onondaga County, New York. Her parents were George Worden Buchanan and Clarissa Pendleton.

On July 7, 1849, Miranda married William Perry Shoemaker in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio.

The 1850 federal census indicates that Miranda, age 20, was living with her husband, age 29, and Lucinda McGoe (perhaps McGee), age 50. Lucinda McGoe could have been living in the household to help with Miranda's pregnancy. The couple would have their first child, Calvin Shoemaker, after the enumeration of the census. Per Shoemaker family records, Calvin was born after August 5, 1850, and is believed to have died shortly thereafter, and certainly before the 1860 federal census.

After Calvin, Miranda and William had four more children during the 1850s: John Richard, Columbus Washington, Clarissa Elizabeth, and Mary Louisa, all of whom were born in Ohio.

In or about 1860, Miranda and her family moved to Tumbridge, DeWitt County, Illinois, per the 1860 federal census. Also living in the household at this time is Louis Cass Buchanan, age 12, who was Miranda’s younger brother. Miranda’s parents had each died in 1852 and are buried in Muskingum County, Ohio. It is likely that Miranda helped raise her younger brother. The 1860 federal census also notes that Miranda could not read and write.

In the 1860s, Miranda and William added to the following children to their family: Matilda Ann, Charles Wesley, and William Elmer. The 1870 federal census lists the family living in Willow Branch, Piatt County, Illinois. Also listed as living in the household is “Alice,” age five months. This listing might refer to daughter Cora May, who was born on February 11, 1870, per Shoemaker family records. Cora May died before the 1880 federal census.

In the 1870s, Miranda and William rounded out their family with children Cora May (mentioned previously), Anna Augusta, and Loyd C. Their last son, Loyd, was born in 1878, six years after the birth of Anna Augusta, the next younger known child. During this period, the family moved from Illinois to Cedarville, Dade County, Missouri, per the 1880 federal census.

In 1887 Miranda’s husband, William Perry Shoemaker, died in Cedarville. His will was probated in Dade County on May 12, 1890, which suggests that Miranda remained in Missouri until that date. The 1900 Census shows Miranda, age 70, living in Morton, Sedgwick County, Kansas, with her daughter Clarissa, Oliver Budd (Clarissa’s husband), and their family.

Miranda died on July 29, 1909, in or near Eaton in Weld County, Colorado. Based on her death certificate, it is possible that she was living near or with her daughter Mary Louisa Shoemaker Williams and her family. She is buried not far from Mary Louisa and other Williams family members.

Scott Day Freeman, third-great grandson, last updated this memorial on June 14, 2015.