John Shearer was born October 25, 1868, at Pleasant Unity, Pennsylvania. He came to North Dakota in May 1891 to work at the A. O. Elder ranch. In 1896-97 he operated a store in Edmunds. In 1898 he built a grocery store in Melville and in 1906-07 he operated a branch store in Bordulac. In 1922 the Melville store burned but he continued to operate his business for a few years in another building. Then for a few years he farmed in the Melville area.
On January 25, 1910, John married lulu Cunningham at Ursina, Pennsylvania. Lulu was born in West Virginia on December 19, 1886 and educated in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Shearer served as midwife and nurse's aide in the community.
The Shearers had four children: David, Earl and two daughters.
Mr. Shearer died in 1937 and Mrs. Shearer died in December 1973. They are buried in the Melville Cemetery.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 86B