When Martha Ellen Acord was born on 10 July 1870, in Wyoming, West Virginia, United States, her father, Zur Acord, was 40 and her mother, Sarah Ann Oliver, was 40. She married William Riley Shumate in 1888, in Wyoming, West Virginia, United States. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 5 daughters. She lived in West Virginia, United States in 1870 and Slab Fork District, Wyoming, West Virginia, United States for about 60 years. She died on 9 December 1942, in Saulsville, Wyoming, West Virginia, United States, at the age of 72, and was buried in Saulsville, Wyoming, West Virginia, United States.