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         SAMUEL H. SHEARER, proprietor of the oldest established boot and shoe house at Columbus Junction, was born on June 30, 1834, at York County, Pa., and his parents, Martin and Elizabeth (Hettrick) Shearer, were also natives of that county, and of German descent. His ancestry were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania of Colonial days. Samuel received a common-school education, after which he served a regular apprenticeship to the shoemaker’s trade. He was married in his native town, on the 31st of May, 1853. Miss Elizabeth Evans, daughter of Joseph and Annie (Strickler) Evans, becoming his wife. She was born in York County, Pa., and is a member of the German Reformed Church. They have seven children living and four deceased: Martin P., the eldest, became the husband of Anna Stephens (now deceased), and resides at Abilene, Kan.; John Adams is married, and lives in Kansas; Sylvester, a resident of Gettysburg, Kan., is also married; Alma Jane is the wife of John Albright, whose home is in Colon, Mich.; Arbe Wilbert is a resident of Winfield, Iowa; Garrett and Clarence are with their father in the store. Filbert Lorenzo, Carrie Ann, Jennette Bell and Alberta are those deceased.

In 1855, about two years after his marriage, Mr. Shearer made his home near Johnsville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he was engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes until 1857, at which time he became a resident of Columbus City, this county. After working at his trade for a few months in that place, he opened a boot and shoe store, carrying on the business until 1876. In the meantime he had established his present store at Columbus Junction, in 1874, carrying on both establishments at the same time until 1876, when he consolidated the two concerns by moving his stock in Columbus City to Columbus Junction. He built and owns the store he now occupies, carries a fine assortment of the latest and best styles of goods in his line, and his stock averages $6,000 in value. Politically, Mr. Shearer is a Democrat, and like many other men, much prefers to devote his undivided attention to his business than to seek public office. He has succeeded in building up a fine trade on a conservative basis, and has been generally prosperous. As a citizen and neighbor, he stands deservedly high, for his uniformly upright and straightforward way of living has won him many warm friends.