James B. Shambaugh, an enterprising farmer of Adams Township, is a native of Frederick County, Va., born on August 26, 1831. He is the son of Daniel and Rebecca J. (Funkhouser) Shambaugh. The father was born in Philadelphia on August 5, 1787, and was of French descent. The mother was of German descent, born in Shenandoah County, Va., in 1793. They were married in the mother's native county, and afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits in Frederick County, about eight years, when they removed back to Shenandoah County. Subsequently they immigrated to Missouri, and after living in Ray County a short, time they came to what is now known as De Kalb County, where they died, the father on September 1, 1870, and the mother on April 17, 1855. In politics the father was a life-long Democrat. The Shambaughs are descendants of a rather distinguished French family, and James B. now possesses the sword of Lieut.-Col, Shambaugh of the French army, who was killed at the storming of Quebec by General Wolfe. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of four children. He received a common school education in his youth, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. On December 8, 1859 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth V. Harper, who was born in Daviess County, Mo., on January 19, 1840. She is the daughter of Jacob and Mary Harper, deceased. Upon marrying, Mr. Shambaugh settled on a farm near where be now resides, and in 1875 removed to his present location. He has met with deserved success, and now owns a farm of 350 acres of fertile land. Politically, he is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. They have two daughters, viz: Mary E., born on February 2, 1861 - on December 25, 1879, she was married to A. L. Zimmerman, and is now living in De Kalb County - and Cordelia A., born November 5, 1862.
Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 584.