BIO: Henry R. SHEARER, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 113-114.
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  HENRY R. SHEARER, book-keeper for the Rock Hill Iron and Coal 
Company, Robertsdale, Huntingdon county, was born September 26, 1828, 
in Hamilton township, Franklin county, Pa., son of Gideon and Sarah 
(Moore) Shearer.  His grandfather, Michael Shearer, was born in 
Lancaster county, of German parentage.  He owned a farm of 110 acres in 
Franklin county, and his death occurred in Chambersburg, where he was 
living retired.  He married Miss Rhodes; their children were:  Michael; 
Lydia; Elizabeth; Gideon; and one daughter who died unnamed.  Mrs. 
Shearer died on the farm in Franklin county.  She and her husband were 
faithful members of the German Reformed church.  Gideon Shearer was 
born in Franklin county, and farmed there until he removed to Tell 
township, Huntingdon county, where he cultivated and improved a farm of 
150 acres.  He was married in Franklin county to Sarah, daughter of 
John Moore, land owner, of Irish descent.  Their children were:  Henry 
R.; and Elizabeth, deceased.  Mrs. Shearer died in 1886 at the home of 
her son Henry R.  Gideon Shearer was an old line Whig.  He was a 
Presbyterian.
  Henry R. Shearer was educated in the public schools of Tell township, 
in one of the typical school houses of the early days.  Until the death 
of his father, Henry remained at home and worked on the farm.  He then 
removed to Shade Gap, where he ran a line of mail coaches for four 
years from Mt. Union to Chambersburg.  He next entered mercantile 
business at Shade Gap, and continued it for eight years.  In 1876 he 
moved to Robertsdale and became book-keeper for the Rock Hill Iron and 
Coal Company, and also for Royer & Co.  He has served with credit to 
himself and satisfaction to his employers.  Besides his other pursuits, 
Mr. Shearer taught school for some time, having prepared himself at the 
Milnwood Academy.  He was married at Yellow Springs, Pa., in 1858, to 
Christina D., daughter of John Kuhn, of Blair county.  Their children 
are:  Sarah, deceased; S. Jennie, Martha E., Annie J., William C., 
deceased; Harry G., Laura D., book-keeper with her father.
  Mr. Shearer is a Republican and has served as school director, 
secretary of the school board and judge of the elections.  He is an 
elder in the Presbyterian church and has served as teacher and 
superintendent in the Sunday-school.  He is a member of the building 
committee and is treasurer.  He is a worthy man, and much respected.