Daniel P. Spears, of the firm of D. P. Spears
& Son dealers in dry goods, hats, notions,
gentlemens and ladies furnishing goods,
at Morrison, Ill., was born Dec. 29, 1822, in
Milan, Erie Co., Ohio. His father, William W.
Spears, was born in Pennsylvania and went
thence to the State of New York, whence, after a
residence of some years there, he went to Ohio
where he remained until the termination of his life.
The mother, Love (Watkins) Spears, was a native of
Massachusetts. Of their ten children five are living: Nathan W. is a farmer and merchant in Fayette Co., Iowa; Nancy is the widow of Samuel Harper
and lives in Lawton, Mich.; Betsey is the wife of
Russell Munger, a retired farmer at Lawton, Mich.;
Mary A. married Crowell Eddy, a farmer in the
township of Clinton, Lenawee Co., Mich., and died
there March 10, 1885.
Mr. Spears is the youngest of the children born to
his parents, and until he was 24 years of age remained on the farm of his father. Meanwhile his
brothers, William and Charles, both now deceased, had established themselves in business at Pittsburg,
and at the age named he went there and engaged in their employ, where he continued four years. About
1840 he went to Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., Mich., and entered in partnership with his brother, Nathan,
where they were interested in the manufacture of woolen goods. On the termination of this venture
he went to White Co., md., where, associated with W. R. Davis, be embarked in a mercantile enterprise
in which he was occupied seven years. In 1858 he came to Morrison to enter upon the duties of the
position of salesman in the dry-goods house of Spears & Bro. Four years later he purchased a part
of the building where lie is now engaged in the transaction of his business and put in a stock of
merchandise. He embarked in the enterprise in company with Joseph Shafer. This relation existed
until the death of the latter, when Mr. Spears purchased the claims of the heirs of his late partner,
and became associated with James Shafer, nephew of the deceased. Two years later he became by purchase sole proprietor of the establishment and until
September, 1884, conducted the business alone. At that date he purchased the store and stock of Chas.
Spears & Son, situated adjoining, opened communication between the sales-rooms and is now transacting business in the double store. At the date of
enlargement he admitted his son, Frank W., to a partnership. Their establishment includes two
large sales-rooms, 51 by 44 feet in size, and they employ four assistants. Their stock is estimated at
a value of $17,000, and includes a full line of goods suited to the local patronage. In the spring of 1885
Messrs. Spears & Son added a carpet department to their business.
Mr. Spears belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows.
He is a member of the Board of Aldermen of Morrison. He owns a farm of 70 acres lying three miles
south of the city, also 12 acres connected with his
residence in this place. He is also the owner of
a half interest in 16o acres of land in White Co., Ind.
Mr. Spears has been married three three times. He
was first joined in marriage in Milan, Ohio, to Elizabeth Walbridge, who
died two years later, after becoming the mother of one child, who died in
infancy. Mr. Spears was again married, in White Co.,
Ind., to Sarah J. Burns, who survived between two
and three years. Dec. 6, 1858, Mr. Spears contracted a third marriage at Monticello, md., with
Mary Shafer. Their five children were born at
Morrison. Frank W. is the oldest and is in business
with his father. Fred is the next in order of birth,
Burt C. is a clerk in the store, Maggie J. and James
are the two youngest.
Portrait & Biographical Pg 208
