Bio of SHEARER, James D. (b.1862), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

Vol II, pg 208
JAMES D. SHEARER
James D. Shearer, an able member, of the Minneapolis bar, has followed his
profession in this city for the past thirty-eight years and has won an enviable
position in a vocation in which advancement depends upon individual merit and
ability. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, March 25, 1862, and in both the
paternal and maternal lines he traces his ancestry to old and distinguished
families of Scotland. His father, Robert Bruce Shearer, was a descendant of
Robert Bruce, the liberator of Scotland, who reigned as king of that country
from 1306 until 1329. His mother, Elizabeth Campbell (McDougall) Shearer, was
also of notable ancestry, being a second cousin of the last duke of Argyle and a
granddaughter of Dr. John Lawson of Edinburgh, Scotland, physician to Sir Walter
Scott.
When James D. Shearer was three years of age the family took up their residence
on a farm in central Iowa, and there he was reared, being the youngest of six
children. He attended the rural schools of the neighborhood and after completing
his school course entered the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames, where he
pursued his studies for five years, graduating in 1879, when but seventeen years
of age, being the youngest student to receive a diploma from the institution up
to that time. For several years he engaged in teaching in the schools of Iowa
and was a successful educator but abandoned that work in 1883 to take up the
study of law, coming to Minneapolis, where he has since resided. He began
reading law in the office of Judge Bagg, a well known jurist of the city, and on
the 17th of October, 1884, was admitted to practice before the supreme court of
the state. His legal learning, his analytical mind, the readiness with which he
grasps the points in an argument, all combine to make him one of the most
capable lawyers who has ever practiced in this city. With the passing years his
clientele has steadily grown in volume and importance and his professional
services are in constant demand. On March 25, 1907, he was appointed receiver
for the Minnesota Title & Trust Company and most capably discharged the duties
of that office until the affairs of the corporation were adjusted.
On the 18th of September, 1888, Mr. Shearer was united in marriage to Miss Emma
Evans of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and they have become the parents of three sons and
a daughter. Mr. Shearer is a stanch republican in his political views and an
active worker in the ranks of the party. In public affairs he has ever taken a
deep and helpful interest and in 1903 he was elected to represent his district
in the state legislature, serving for one term as a member of that body. He is a
valued member of various social, political and professional organizations and in
his life he manifests the sterling characteristics of the Scotch race.
Thoroughness has characterized his activities in every relation, and wisely
utilizing the talents with which nature endowed him, he has come to rank with
the distinguished attorneys of Minneapolis.