JOHN J. SHEARER is a son of Edward Shearer, who was born in Hardin County
October 28, 1826, and was brought up on a farm, consequently receiving a
very limited education. He started out in life for himself in the year 1844,
entering land in the woods and erecting thereon a log cabin, going to work
in earnest 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; George W., a mechanic of
Cave in Roick; 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 storeboat, 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 yeears, 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.
[1898. The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin Counties,
Illinois. Chicago: Biograhical Publishing Co. 397.]
Submitted by Wanda (Patton) Reed
Webmaster's note: Shearer died November 8, 1926, in St. Petersburg, Floria.
The Hardin County Independent ran his obituary.
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