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John W. Shearer (1830-1903)
Born in Albany, N.Y., engaged in lumbering business in Bay City, MI.

1883 biography. (Added Jan., 2010)

History of Bay County, Michigan, 1883

JOHN W. SHEARER
________

John W. Shearer was born in Albany, N. Y., August 19, 1833. In 1850 he moved to Detroit, and learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. At the expiration of his apprenticeship he accepted a position from his brother James as foreman. In 1850 he went South, and was engaged in different car-shops as a master mechanic. In 1860 he returned to Detroit, and entered into a co-partnership with his brother James, remaining here until the war broke out. He enlisted as private in the Second Michigan Infantry, and was promoted to lieutenant ; while at Yorktown was discharged, and returned to Detroit. In 1865 he came to Bay City, and took the contract of putting in the machinery in D. G. Arnold's sash and blind factory, after which he engaged with his brother James in the mill.

In 1878 he entered into a co-partnership with H. Watkins in the carpenter and joiners' business, which they still continue. He was married June 30, 1866, to Mary E. Larued, of Ohio, and has three children.

Additional Notes.

1879 - Directory, Bay City, Mich.

• Bay City Lodge F. & A. M., No. 129 – Meetings at Masonic Hall, Wednesday evening on or before full moon. James M. Laing, W.M.; Charles B. Cottrell, S. W.; John W. Shearer, J.W.; William A. Young, Sec.; John Rose, Treas.; A. L. Stewart, S.D.; W. J. Austin, J. D.; Geo. F. Hood, Tyler.

  1883 – Directory, Bay City, Mich.

• Shearer Block – n e cor Water and Center.
• Shearer Bros – (G. Henry, James B. and Chauncey H.), Real Estate n w cor Center and Washington.
• Shearer, Chauncy – (Shearer Bros), res n w cor Center and Farragut.
• Shearer, George H. (McDonald & Shearer), res n e cor 5th and Farragut.
• Shearer, G. Henry – (Shearer Bros), res 814 N Monroe.
• Shearer, James B. - (Shearer Bros), bds n e cor Center and Monroe.
• Shearer, John W. - (J.W. Shearer & Co.), res 412 N Jackson.
• Shearer, J W & Co. - (John W. Shearer, Harvey P. Watkins), Contractors and Builders and Mnfrs Sash, Doors and Blinds s s 12th bet Johnson and Trumbull.
• Shearer, Wm. - fireman Streamer Arundel.

  1900 – Census Bay City, Mich.

• Shearer, John W – b. Aug. 1830 New York
• Mary E – wife, b. Jul. 1840 Ohio
• J Loving(?) – son, b. Aug. 1868 Mich.
• Minnie E – daughter, b. Nov. 1873 Mich.
• Fred E – son, b. Dec. 1877 Mich.

  1903 – Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Mich.

• John W. Shearer, died May 15, 1903, was a member of the Bay City Lodge No. 129, of the Free and Accepted Masons.