Member Biography

Edward Hertz Shearer 

Seal
Sessions Office Position District Party
1881-1882       11 Democrat
1883-1884       11 Democrat

COUNTIES: Berks  


Biography

01/10/1836 - 04/19/1920


Private Edward Hertz Shearer (D11) Berks County 1881-84

Early Life: 

Edward Hertz Shearer, born January 10, 1836, Bern Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania; son of John Phillippi and Lydia Hertz Shearer; education, Berks County schools, teacher; eight years; admitted Berks County bar, 1860; attorney, practice, Berks County; married, 1861, Cassandra Sarah “Kate” Schoener Shearer, d.1889; married, Alice Louise Bingaman Shearer, 1896; elected, city of Reading solicitor, one term; elected, District Attorney, Berks County, 1868-1871, elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1881-1884; wholesale tobacco store, proprietor, 1893; died April 19, 1920 (aged 84 years, 3month and 9 days) interment Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. (i) (ii)

Early Career:

City of Reading solicitor, one term; elected, District Attorney, Berks County, 1868-1871.

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

Mason, member, Lodge No.62, Saint John Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No. 435, charter member, held all positions including first Junior Warden then district deputy grand master, 5 years; member Excelsior Chapter No.237 passed through all the chairs and served as high priest; Reading Commandery, past commander.  (ii)

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 11th district, Berks County 1881-1884; member Centennial Affairs, Finance, Insurance, Judiciary Special and Public Printing Committees.

Cited: 

Smull’s Legislative Hand Book, (1883) Smull, J.A., Biographical Sketches of Senators, pages 735 and 770-771.

        (i)   Reading Times (Reading, Pennsylvania) Wednesday April 21, 1920, Page 6  

        (ii)  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84938622/edward-h-shearer