Biography of John L. Mears

John L. Mears was born on May 29, 1837, in Muskingum County, Ohio, as the eleventh child of Rev. William and Elizabeth Mears. A dedicated farmer and community member, he developed a thriving farm in Dixon Township, starting as a pioneer in Tama County, Iowa. Mears served in the Civil War, attaining the rank of Corporal, and was active in local governance and the Masonic fraternity. Married to Mary Romino in 1860, they had six children, and their family was well-respected in their community.

JOHN L. MEARS. If a man’s character may be determined by his surroundings, that of Mr. Mears and his no less capable and worthy wife possesses all the elements of thrift, industry and good citizenship. We find them in the midst of pleasant surroundings, the occupants of a well-developed farm on section 14, Dixon Township, having a substantial dwelling with convenient outbuildings, fruit and shade trees and the land under a good state of cultivation. The family occupies a good position in the community, and the fact that they are well spoken of by their neighbors is sufficient indication of the sterling worth of character which has had its influence upon those with whom they have become associated.

A native of Muskingum County, Ohio, Mr. Mears was born May 29, 1837, being the eleventh child of the Rev. William and Elizabeth (Latham) Mears, who were natives of the city of London, England. The father for a period of forty years officiated as a minister of the Baptist Church. Upon coming to America, in 1830, he located in Zanesville, Ohio, being among its earliest settlers and teaching the first school established there. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land north of the town site and after a residence of three years in the town removed to his farm, where he built up a permanent homestead and where his death took place in 1869. The mother survived her husband for a period of fifteen years, dying in Ohio in 1884. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight of whom grew to mature years. Six are now living, making their homes in Ohio, Kansas and Nebraska.

Young Mears lived at the farm with his parents until a youth of nineteen years, learning the arts of sowing and reaping and choosing agriculture for his life vocation. In the fall of 1856, starting out for himself, he sought the Great West and settled on a tract of new land in Tama County, Iowa. He was one of the earliest pioneers of that region and not realizing his hopes of making a fortune, returned, after about two years, to his old home in Ohio. Sojourning there until 1877 he again turned his steps westward, coming to this State and settling on a tract of raw land, from which he has since constructed his present farm. He commenced at first principles in its development and has himself effected all the improvements upon it. He put up a new residence in 1888, and has one hundred and thirty acres under the plow. He makes a specialty of swine.

Miss Mary, daughter of Abraham C. and Mary (Wallwork) Romino, was wedded to John L. Mears, October 10, 1860, in Ohio. Mrs. Mears was born September 3, 1838, near Zanesville, Ohio. Her father was a native of Columbus, Ohio, and a plasterer by trade, which he followed the greater part of his life and died in Ohio in 1889. The mother was born in the city of London, England, and came with her parents to America when quite young. She passed away prior to the decease of her husband, her death occurring in 1881 in Ohio. Of the three children born to them only two are living, the one besides Mrs. Mears being Mrs. Black, a resident of Ohio.

Six children have been born to Mr. Mears and his estimable wife, the eldest of whom, Mary Louisa, is the wife of James Mack, and the mother of two children; James Baxter married Miss Vesta Thurlow, and is a resident of Milan, Kan.; Alice is the wife of Thomas Looper, a resident of Belle Plaine, this State; Laura married J. M. Bunker, is the mother of one child, and lives in Ryan Township; J. Welcome and Ellen Blanche remain at home with their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Mears are connected with the Church of God. Mr. Mears was formerly a Class-Leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church and is identified with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has held the office of Junior Deacon. For a period of eight years he has served on the school board of his district and he has also officiated as Road Overseer. His political sympathies are with the Union Labor party.

In 1863, during the progress of the Civil War, Mr. Mears enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was promoted to Corporal in the one-hundred days’ service. His duties lay around Camp Bradford in Maryland. After serving his first term he re-enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Battalion, Ohio Infantry, and was stationed at Camp Chase, being held as a reserve, and as it was near the close of the war was not required in the active service.