From the TAMPICO TORNADO Newspaper
April 27, 1901

This was posted in the Tampico Tornado Newspaper as "Tom Ellis SHERE." However, please see message from Les Niemi below the obit.

LAID AT REST

Tom (should be John Ellis Shere) Ellis SHERE, one of the oldest citizens and among the first settlkers in that part of the country died at his home near Yorktown, Bureau Co., Ill., Sunday, April 23, 1901, in the ninty-first year of  his age. He was born in Devonshire, England, Sept. 20, 1819. In his boyhood he learned the art of gardening. Dec. 18, in London he was married to Maria E. ARTLETT. His choice did not meet the approval of his uncle and guardian, as his mother and father were both dead. In 1832 he with his wife separated from their kinsman and country and came to America settled in Albany N. Y. In January 1854 he moved to what is Yorktown and the same year he built the house on the farm in which he died.

Of the nine children born to him, six survive. His wife died Oct. 1893. The funeral services were held Tuesday in the Yorktown Christian Church and were conducted by Rev.  **feld. The few remaining of the early settlers with their descendants made a large congregation that followed the remains to the cemetery near by where they were laid to rest. Thus is removed from our midst one brave and sturdy pioneer who through hardships and privations unknown to the present generation he helped to lay the foundation upon which the strength and glory of that community now rests.

*******************End of Obit****************

Denise,

 I saw your recent posting for "Tom" Ellis SHERE. This is actually a typo in the Tornado - it should have read John Ellis SHERE: check out the Yorktown cemetery listing and from "The History of Henry County": "John E, Shere, of Yorktown Township, was born in Devonshire, England. He is a resident on section 13; and is engaged in the vocation of a market gardener, and is also raising small fruits. His birth occurred Sept. 20, 1810. His father died when he was six years old, and he was afterwards brought up by his mother. He was the only child, and was wholly orphaned by the death of his surviving parent when he was 16. He was then apprenticed to nurseryman and florist. He served five years in the shire in which he was born, and went then to London. He was there employed in the National Gardens until 1832, when he came to the United States. He made his way, soon after reaching his port of landing, to the city of Albany, and entered the service of Buell & Wilson, the celebrated nurserymen, one of whom is inseparably connected with the history of small fruits in this country. In his honor the "Wilson" strawberry which at that time led the list in America, was named.

Mr.. Shere remained with them one season, and at its close he went to Albion, in Orleans Co., N. Y., and commenced to do business in the line of drayman. He bought the necessary equipment's, consisting horses and the variety of vehicles employed in that avenue of business, and conducted extensive relations in the public interests. He also erected ice-houses and supplied the city with ice. He remained there in the same occupation until 1854, when he came to Henry County. On his arrival here he entered a claim of Government land on section 13, in the township in which he has since lived. He built a frame house and entered upon the work of improvement, as the land was entirely in its natural condition.

He passed some years in the employment's common to general farming, and combined with them a few experiments in the way of gardening. He raised very fine melons, for which he found a market at Princeton, 30 miles distant. As the growth of civilization increased and towns sprang up near at hand, he increased his gardening relations ad for some years went to Sterling with his products. He is now extensively interested in the cultivation of all kinds of small fruits common to this section of country and in vegetables. He has made a complete success of the enterprise.

Mr.. Shere was joined in marriage Dec. 18, 1831, to Maria E. Artlet, who was born in the County of Kent, England, in December, 1812. Six children born to Mr.. and Mrs.. Shere are living: Thomas is a resident of Humboldt, Iowa; Carrie is the wife of Alexander Brown of Ottawa Co, Kansas; Ann Eliza married Charles Branch, of the county last named; William E. is a resident of Yorktown; Emma married Fred Landwchr, and they live in Whiteside County; Ambrose A is the manager of the home farm. He was born in the township where he lives Sept. 7, 1859, and has always lived with his parents. He was married Sept. 6, 1877, to Linda Swanson. She was born in Henry County, in June 1859. They have two children,--Jesse L. and Bessie L. The parents have 27 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren."

Thanks,

Les