Elias W. SHEARER 1844 - 1930

SHEARER

Posted By: Jerry Hale (email)
Date: 3/30/2002 at 21:13:34

E. W. SHEARER, LAST CIVIL WAR VETERAN, IS DEAD

Elias W. Shearer, 86, Civil war veteran and pioneer of the Collins community, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bradford Stevens, east of town, Monday evening, July 14, at 6:30, death resulting from the effects of a stroke of paralysis and euremic kidney poisoning.

In the death of Mr. Shearer, the vicinity loses the last of the veterans of the Civil war, as well as one of the finest characters to be found. He had always worked for the betterment of the community and was the highest type of citizen.

The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Collins United Brethren church. In charge of the pastor, Rev. S.A. Fisher, and interment in Evergreen cemetery by the side of his wife, who preceded him in death in 1914.

Pall bearers, wearing the army uniforms of his country which he served so well both in war and in peace were from the ranks of the American Legion. They were: C. O. Shearer, Dewey Kern, C. W. Keagle, H. C. Westcott, Fred Mead, G. M. Patton.

Mr. Shearer was born near Indianapolis, Ind. Jan. 3, 1844, coming to Iowa at an early age and settling near Collins. At the age of only 17 years, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in Company E of the 17th Iowa Infantry, serving throughout the war. He took part in many of the important engagements, being discharged as a sergeant. He spent the last six months of the war in Andersonville prison.

After his discharge from the army he returned to this community, and on September 5, 1869, was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Shenkle. Six children were born to this union, four of whom survive him. One daughter, Mrs. Anna Weese, died in 1891, the wife died in 1914, and a son John, passed away in 1919

Those surviving are Mrs. Jennie Bence of near Collins, Charles Shearer of Cumberland, George Shearer of McCallsburg and Mrs. Edith Stevens, who lives upon the old homestead. He also leaves 13 grandchildren and 4 great grand children. One grandchild, Mrs. Florence Good, was reared in the home of the grandparents, following the death of her mother in 1891.

For many years after retiring from the farm, Mr. Shearer was postmaster here.

(Obit copied from original held by Mrs. Marjorie Patterson, Perry, Dallas Co., IA)