Obituaries of Francis C. Shearer (father); William Trabue Shearer (son); and Mary A. Trabue

The Adair County News, Wednesday, November 13, 1901

Gone To His Reward

This week are called upon to chronicle the death of one of Adair county's best known citizens--Eld. F.C. Shearer, who died at his late residence Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. About four weeks ago he was suddenly taken ill while returning home from town and had to be lifted from his horse. In a few hours he was removed from his residence and his condition gradually became worse until the end came.

The deceased was a man for whom every one had the utmost respect. For the past thirty-five years he had been a minister of the Christian church, and for the past quarter of a century he had preacher for different churches in Adair county. He was zealous in all his work and what he did was done in fear and admonition of the Lord.

The deceased was sixty-eight years old and was a native of Wayne county. In 1856 or 7 he entered college here; became acquainted with Miss Nannie Trabue, and they were subsequently married. The first years of his married life were spent in Wayne county, returning to Adair after the close of the war. The fruits of this union were five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living.

Mr. Shearer's first wife died about 10 years ago, and three years thereafter he was married to Miss Mary Burton, of this place, who survives without issue.

Funeral services were held at the Christian church, this city, Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Z.T. Williams, man friends being present in token of the respect they had for one who was loyal to his neighbors and true to his God.

"The college here" most likely refers to the Columbia Christian College.

The marriage records of Adair County include an entry for M.F.C. Shearer, of Wayne County, to Mary L. Trabue, single, of Adair County, on May 15, 1858. The statement above that "the first years of his married life were spent in Wayne county" notwithstanding, the young Shearer family appeared in the 1860 Adair County census, district # 1, household # 36:

Trabue, Elizabeth, 48, born Adair Co. [Mr. Shearer's mother-in-law]

"          , Mary A., 23, born Adair Co.

"          , Laura A., 20, born Adair Co.

"          , Matilda J., 11, born Adair Co.

"          , Edward H., 9,  born Adair Co.

Shearer, Francis C., 26, born Wayne Co.

"          , Nancy L., 26, born Adair Co.

F.C. & Nancy's oldest child, William Trabue Shearer (obituary below), was born August 24, 1860. The census 1860 census was taken in June, so quite possibly the Shearer's had temporarily removed to Adair County to reside with Mrs. Trabue during the period of Mrs. Shearer's confinement and delivery.

The 1880 Adair County census (page 1B, Columbia) indicates the Shearer's had five children, as stated in Mr. Shearer's obituary. The census, however, erroneously shows four sons and daughter (instead of three sons and two daughters), to wit: W.T. Shearer, 20, son; H.J. Shearer, 15, son; B.V. Shearer, 13, son; T.M. Shearer, 10, son; and N.A. Shearer, 7, daughter. The "B.V." shown as a son was Bessie Victoria, who died in Adair County in June, 1941. Her obituary (Adair County News, June 25, 1941) stated she was a daughter of Rev. Frank C. & Nannie L. Trabue Shearer, deceased, and a granddaughter of William Trabue; and that she was survived by two brothers, Tom Shearer, of Columbia, & Harry Shearer, & a sister, Mrs. Nannie Traylor, New Mexico.

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The Adair County News, Wednesday, January 28, 1920

In Memory of W.T. Shearer

At the old Trabue home, William Trabue Shearer died Jan. 8, in the same room in which he was born August 24, 1860.

He was the oldest son of Rev. Frank L. Shearer and Nancy L. Trabue. His father, a well-known minister of the Christian church, was a native of Shearer Valley, in Wayne Co., belonging to a family of early settlers, noted for their integrity of character. His mother was the oldest child of William Trabue, and Elizabeth H. Caldwell, and was the gentlest, most tenderly loving mother I ever knew. There was a charming devotion between her and this dear son. From a child he was a strong and decided character, always taking a stand for the right. His father depended upon him and trusted in him. No one ever heard him speak any kind of bad word or tell anything but the truth. He was temperate in all things, in his language and habits, not even using tobacco. He spoke often in public for the cause of Christ, and while still a youth, would read the Bible and conduct family prayers. In my mother's last hours he read to he[r the] 2nd Cor. 5th Chapter, which contains the passage, "Willing rather be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord," and so he expressed himself in his dying hour. God granted him a blessed and triumphant departure from this life. he told his only son to meet him in the "glory land." He made bequests to his daughters, and many many tender things to say to his wife, with their hands clasped in this parting hour.

He was married to Eliza Breckinridge Petty in December, 1890. To them six children were born all of whom are living, except one infant. While at his daughters, in town, a cold developed into pneumonia. His wife brought him here to the old home, and the few days he remained with us, everything was done for him that the loving care of his family, the skilled, faithful nursing of his wife, day and night, and the constant attendance of the doctor could give him. Every body loved him, Every body needed him, he never neglected any duty, or shirked any care. His physical strength was not equal to the demands he imposed on himself and when he "heard the voice of Jesus say come unto me and rest," he willingly left it all, and the command and went join the "spirits of just men made perfect."            /s/ M.J.T.

"The old Trabue place," known as Willow Glen, was located about a mile from Columbia. At the time of Mr. W.T. Shearer's death, Willow Glen was occupied by his maiden aunt, Miss Matilda J. "Tillie" Trabue, his mother's sister and the last surviving child of Wm. & Elizabeth Caldwell. Almost beyond question, "Miss Tillie" was the "M.J.T." who penned this loving tribute to her nephew. Four of the children of W.T. & Eliza Shearer appear on the 1900 Adair County census: Mary L., dau., 8; Trabue, son, 7; Corin, dau., 5; and Evie, dau., 2. The last child apparently was born after the 1900 census.

The quote "heard the voice of Jesus..." come from the hynm "I Heard the Voice of Jesus," written in 1846 by Scotish minister, hymnist, poet and author Horatius Bonar.

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Obituary of Mary A. Trabue

The Adair County News, Wednesday, July 3, 1918

GONE TO HER REST

Miss Mary Trabue, Who Was a Member of An Old Adair Family, Passes

Funeral Baptist Church Saturday

Miss Mary Trabue, who was eighty-one years old, died at her late home, one mile from Columbia, last Thursday night.

She was born and reared where she died and for many years she was a consistent member of the Baptist church, and before she became infirm she was a regular attendant upon services.

She was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Trabue and her relatives on both sides were prominent on the county, and some of them over the State. She was a niece of George Alfred, Dr. W.B., Junius, and Isaac Caldwell, three of them eminent lawyers who practiced and died in Louisville. Dr. Caldwell was also a leading physician and financier of Louisville before his death. On the Trabue side some of her relatives served with distinction in the war of the revolution.

The death of this lady leaves only one of a once large family--Miss Tillie Trabue. The latter and her sister lived alone on their farm [known as Willow Glen], having tenants.

The funeral services were held Saturday forenoon in the Baptist church, Eld. Z.T. Williams, Revs. R.T. Watson and L.F. Iiercy [sic; should be Piercy.--ed.] officiated in the absence of Pastor, O.P. Bush.

There were many friends present, to pay their last respects to one whom they had known for so many years. There were many floral offerings.

[Miss Tillie, the last of her generation of the family Trabue, departed this vale of sorrows on March 26, 1929, aged 80 years. Another maiden sister, Miss Lucy E., who also resided at Willow Glen, died March 31, 1914, aged 69 years.]