J. B. Shearer was born in Orstown, Pennsylvania, April 30, 1858. As a young man he came to Odeboldt, Iowa, where he taught school for $18.00 per month. There he met and married Samantha A. Kelly. To this union five sons and one daughter were born. Here they farmed for a number of years.

In 1906 the family moved to Dazey, North Dakota. He represented the Freddendahl Investment Co. of Ida Grove, Iowa. He spent 20 years of his life buying and selling land for this firm.

Always interested in the welfare of community, civic and church affairs, he turned to politics at the instigation of Mr. Trubshaw of the Times Record. He was elected to the office of Barnes County Treasurer for two terms and later to the office of Registrar of Deeds. He was among the first officials to serve in the new Court House. He was familiarly known as "J. B." to all and was one of only three Democrats in the county at the time of his election to office.

His contribution to church, school and community was of inestimable value. He took an active part in school affairs, directed choirs, sang in the Methodist Church choir of Valley City for years.

Mr. Shearer died in 1938 and is buried in Woodbine Cemetery beside his wife, Samantha. Of the six children, three have died in the past three years: Raymond, Russell and Harry. Three are living: Cleve, of Flasher, North Dakota; Frank of Valley City, and Bernice of Mesa, Arizona.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 223