Shoemaker was born in DeWitt, Iowa and was interested in birds from a young age. He spent most of his adult life in Nebraska where he was a charter member of the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union. He worked as a stenographer for telegraph companies, a private secretary for several railroad companies, and photographer for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In 2003 a small Nebraska salt marsh was named after Shoemaker.
From the description of Frank Henry Shoemaker ornithological papers, 1893-2010 (Iowa Sate Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 732989234