JOHN J. SHEARER is a son of Edward Shearer, who was born in Hardin County, October 28, 1826, and was brought up on a limited farm, consequently receiving a very education. He started out in life for himself in the year 1814, entering land in the woods and erecting thereon a log cabin, going to work in earliest to establish a home for himself. He was married to Mary Bell, who was born June 1, 1830, a daughter of Lacey Bell, of Kentucky. To this marriage there were born seven children, viz: John J.; Charles E., a farmer of Hardin County; William J., deceased; David F., a farmer of Hardin County; George W., a mechanic of Cave in Rock; and two that died young. The mother of these children died February 24, 1865, and Mr. Shearer then married Clarky Bell, sister of his first wife. To this marriage there were born four children, viz: Susan, wife of Lewis Edwards; Laura, deceased; one who died in infancy; and Thomas, a farmer of Hardin County.
John J. Shearer was born May 30, 1851, in Hardin County, was reared on the farm, working in the summer time and attending school in the winter time, and at the age of fourteen years went to work in a store for his uncle at New Liberty, Ill., meanwhile attending school a part of the time, and so obtaining a fair education. In 1868 he went to Hardin County and engaged in teaching school, which profession claimed his attention five years, during which time he was diligently pursuing the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Warford, of Elizabethtown. He practiced medicine for eight years, and then purchased a store boat, which he ran on the Ohio River for two years, when he returned to Hardin County and engaged in farming and in the practice of medicine for two years, and finally engaged in mercantile pursuits for six months. November 7, 1891, he purchased a third interest in a large mill at Cave in Rock, which he still retains, and is now considered a prosperous and well-respected citizen.
Our subject was married November 6, 1870, to Nancy A. McDowell, a daughter of Eli McDowell, a native of Indiana. To this marriage there have been born three children, viz: George Clarence; Sonora I., deceased; and a third who died in infancy. Mr. Shearer is a Republican in politics, and is a member of Cave in Rock Lodge No. 444, A. F. & A. M. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He served in the capacity of Justice of the Peace for six years, and two years as Deputy County Clerk, discharging his duties as such to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Extracted from Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, published in 1893, page 397
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