Dr. Walter K. Shoemaker is one of the younger representatives of the dental profession in Laramie. In his practice, however, he is demonstrating his thorough familiarity with the most scientific principles of the profession, combined with a mechanical skill and ingenuity that renders his work most effective, proving highly satisfactory to his many patrons.
    He was born in Denver, Colorado, March 28, 1891, a son of J. M. and Malinda (Walter) Shoemaker, who were natives of Ohio, the father having been born near Massillon, while the mother was born in Stark county, that state. It was in the year 1889 that J. M. Shoemaker removed westward to Denver, Colorado, where he engaged in railroad work, being connected with the freight department of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. He is now with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, having devoted the greater part of his life to railway service. To him and his wife have been born two children, the daughter being Miss Laura Shoemaker, who became the wife of I. A. Sprong and resides in Denver.
    Dr. Shoemaker was the elder of the two children and in his boyhood attended the public schools of Denver, continuing his education in the West Denver high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1911. He then took up the study of dentistry, matriculating in the Colorado College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in 1914. He located in Laramie, where he has since built up a lucrative practice and is today one of the leading representatives of the profession in the city. He has a splendidly equipped office, supplied with all modern appliances to facilitate dental work and his mechanical skill, combined with his broad scientific knowledge, makes him a most capable representative of the profession.
    On the 20^th of August, 1911, Dr. Shoemaker was married to Miss Mildred C. Sprong, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Sprong, of Denver. They have become parents of two children: Richard Walter, born in Denver, November 26, 1913; and Roger Sprong, born in Laramie, June 14, 1915.
    Dr. Shoemaker is a Master Mason, an association which indicates the rules which govern his conduct, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor. He is also a member of the Nu Chapter of the Psi Omega dental fraternity. He is of a social disposition and genial nature, and readily wins friends wherever he goes. In his profession he has made rapid progress, for he holds to the highest professional standards, observing closely the ethics of the profession, and his skill and ability are winning for him a constantly growing practice.