John Shearer
A terrible accident occurred in our town on the 2nd ins. John Shearer, a resident of this town, was thrown from his wagon and instantly killed. He was descending the hill, in front of the Fountain House, when his team—four mules—became frightened and ran. It is supposed that he attempted to put his foot upon the break, missing which, he was thrown from his wagon upon his head, the wagon immediately passing over him. Every assistance possible was rendered, but without avail. He was dead.
John Shearer was born in Pennsylvania in 1801. In 1805 his parents moved to Holmes county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, married her, whom he now leaves to mourn his death, and resided there until the spring of 1849, respected and beloved by all who knew him. In that year, he with his family, emigrated to what was then the "Far West," and settled in Oceola, Clark county, Owa, where he remained until the spring of 1863.
In April of that year, he, with his family, started across the plains for California. He arrived in Santa Cruz the last of September, 1863, where he has resided since, securing the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
Wherever he has lived long enough to become known and appreciated, he has won the confidence of the community and the love of a large circle of friends. In Ohio for sixteen years and in Iowa for several years he held the office of Justice of the Pece.
For the last twenty-eight years, he and his wife were consistent members of the M. E. Church, in which he, for several years, both in Ohio and Iowa, held the responsible position of Class Leader, for which he was eminently fitted.
For the last ten years he has been a member of the fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons.
In all the relations of life, whether as magistrate, citizen, neighbor, friend, husband or father, he was a living illustration of the beauty, simplicity, excellence and practical utility of the principles of the religion he professed.
"None knew him but to love him,
None named him but to praise."
But the Supreme Ruler of the universe has called him from his labors on earth to mansions of rest. "The righteous have hope in their death." It is well with our brother.
He leaves a large circle of friends, both here and in Iowa, to mourn his loss - a wife who has been the partner of his joys and sorrows for over forty-one years, and several children and grand children. He was this day buried by the Santa Cruz Lodge, No, 38, F. and A. M., of which he was a member.
The Rev. Walter Frear preached an appropriate sermon from the words, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end by like him," after which the Lodge passed the following resolutions:
WHEREAS: It has pleased the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe, in His infinite wisdom, to summon from the labors and cares of earth our venerable brother John Shearer, Therefore
RESOLVED: That in the death of Brother Shearer, whose pure and simle honesty of life endeared him to all who knew him, this Lodge lost one of its most worthy members, the Fraternity a just and upright brother, society an honest and industrious citizen, and his family a kind husband and father.
RESOLVED, that we tender to the bereaved family of our deceased brother, our heartfelt sympathy in their heavy afflictions, and the assurance of our fraternal regard for those who were dearest to him in life.
RESOLVED, That we tender to the choir our thanks for their efficient assistance in the last sad rites of sepulture to our departed brother.
RESOLVED, that these resolutions be entered upon the minutes of this Lodge, and that a copy thereof be furnished to the family of our deceased brother, and that they be published in the papers of the county.
D. W. Scoville, Secretary
Santa Cruz, Jan. 4th, 1866
Santa Cruz (CA) Weekly Sentinel, January 6, 1866. Submitted by Bill Sherer