JOHN SHERER, deceased, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in 1801. In 1805 his parents removed to Holmes County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and was there married to Miss Sarah Sills.
     In the spring of 1849 he emigrated with his family to what was then the Far West, locating in Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa, where he remained till the spring of 1863, being the pioneer hotel keeper of that place. In April, 1863, he started with his family across the plains for California, arriving in Santa Cruz about the end of September, where he resided till he met with his death, January 2, 1864. The following notice in regard to the death of our subject was written for the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Editor Sentinel:
     A terrible accident occurred in our town on the 2nd inst. John Sherer, a resident of this town was thrown from his wagon and instantly killed. He was descending the hill in front of the Fountain House, when his team, four mules, became frightened and ran. It is supposed that he attempted to put his foot upon the brake, missing which he was thrown from his wagon upon his head, the wagon immediately passing over him. Every assistance possible was rendered him, but without avail. He was dead.
     He arrived in Santa Cruz the last of September, 1863, where he has since resided, securing the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Wherever he has lived long enough to become known and appreciated, he has won the confidence of the community and the love of a large circle of friends. In Ohio, for sixteen years, and in Iowa for several years he held the office of justice of the peace. For the last twenty-eight years he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he for several years, both in Ohio and Iowa, held the responsible position of class-leader, for which he was eminently fitted. For the last ten years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity. In all relations of life, whether as magistrate, citizen, neighbor, friend, husband or father, he was a living illustration of the beauty, simplicity, excellence and practical utility of the principles of the religion he professed.
     None knew him but to love him, None named him but to praise.
     But the Supreme Ruler of the universe has called him from his labors on earth to mansions of rest. The righteous have hope in their death. It is well with our brother. He leaves a large circle of friends both here and in Iowa to mourn his loss; a wife who has been the partner of his joys and sorrows for over forty-one years, and several children and grandchildren.
     He was this day buried by the Santa Cruz Lodge, No. 38, F. and A. M., of which he was a member. The Rev. Walter Frear preached an appropriate sermon from the words: Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his, after which the lodge passed the following resolutions;
     WHEREAS, It has pleased the Supreme Grand Master of the universe in His infinite wisdom, to summon from the labors and cares of earth our venerable brother, John Sherer, therefore,
     Resolved, That in the death of brother Sherer, whose pure and simple honesty of life endeared him to all who knew him, this lodge has lost one of its most worthy members, the fraternity a just and upright brother, society an honest and industrious citizen, and his family a kind husband and father.
     Resolved, That we tender to the bereaved family of our deceased brother, our heartfelt sympathy in their heavy affliction, and our assurance of our fraternal regard for those who were dearest to him in life.
     Resolved, That we tender to the choir our thanks for their efficient assistance in the last sad rites of sepulture to our departed brother.
     Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the minutes of this lodge, and that a copy thereof be furnished to the family of our deceased brother, and that they be published in the papers of the county.
D. W. Scoville, Secretary.
Santa Cruz, January 4, 1864.

NOTE:  D. W. Scoville was an Attorney in Osceola, Iowa and Santa Cruz, CA, a State Representative for Clarke County Iowa, friend of and moved to California with John and Sarah Sills- Shearer.

(Contributed by Bill Sherer - Published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel Newspaper at John Sherer's death and written by his friend, attorney and fellow Mason.