William H. and Jean Murray Shear were early residents of Whiteside county, Illinois. Mrs. Shear was born in Scotland and came to the United States when two years of age with her parents arriving in 1842.
Mr. Shear's childhood was passed in Cherry Valley, New York.
From The History of Whiteside County
The Shear family came from New York state prior to the Civil war and William H. Shear enlisted from Whiteside county in Company G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, being mustered into the United States Service, May 24, 1861, and mustered out June 16, 1864. On the 9th of March 1865, he reenlisted, becoming first lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was finally mustered out August 28, 1865. He was afterward night marshal at Morrison for twenty seven years and previous to that time had served for two years as night man at the depot. His public work brought him a wide acquaintance and his sterling qualities gained him favorable regard. At the age of 66 he moved into the Illinois Soldiers' Home in Quincy. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Took up a soldier's claim from the government in Wisconsin.
William was a long member of the Morrison Illinois police department and in fact Chief from 1875-77. He invented and patented a type of handcuff called a "nipper"
William Henry Shear was born on January 30, 1838 in New York, but by the age of 23 he had moved to Morrison, Illinois.
When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted on May 24, 1861 in Company G of the 13th Illinois Infantry. During his tour of duty, he participated in the battle of Vicksburg and General Grant's attempt to dig a canal on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River, thereby permitting the Union Army to attack Vicksburg from the south.
On June 16, 1864 he was mustered out but re-enlisted on March 1, 1865 and served a second tour of duty with the 156th Illinois Infantry. During this tour he was promoted on March 9 to the rank of first lieutenant. The company was disbanded on September 20, 1865.
After hostilities ended Shear returned to Morrison in Whiteside County and shortly thereafter joined the local police force. He rose to the rank of chief of police and held that position from 1875 through 1877. Not bad to have made chief at the age of 37.
In addition to his military and police careers, Shear was also an inventor. He invented a cane gun, devices related to shotguns, and well as his invention of a police mechanical nipper.
Shear applied for a patent for a "Police Nippers" on March 14, 1884. It is very likely that he was still a member of Morrison PD at that time since the 1880 census lists his citation a policeman. Patent number 303,953 was granted to him on August 19, 1884.
It is fairly apparent that Shear's police experience especially that of arresting offenders had a significant impact on his believing he had developed a better restraint than had previously been invented.
In Shear's own words:
"The advantages of my invention are numerous and obvious. One very important advantage over nippers heretofore used is that while in the case of such others like the chain-twisters, for instance, if the officer, in the scuffle with an offender, should lose his hold, the nipper would become detached. In my invention the nipper remains in place until formally detached.
My device while not so severe or dangerous as the chain-twister, is much more secure and reliable. Again, but one hand is necessarily employed in attaching or releasing my invention, a matter of much importance, particularly in a scuffle, where ordinarily the officer has both hands employed.
Having been granted a patent does not automatically mean that a device actually gets manufactured, but in Shear's case his mechanical nipper was made.
It is a very infrequently encountered restraint, one likely to have been manufactured and distributed locally.
I have found no advertisement for a Shear nipper in any of the police goods catalogs that I have reviewed. Only a few collectors are fortunate enough to have a Shear nipper in their collections.
Shear is one of only two inventors I have researched who turned out not only to have had police experience, but also to have risen in rank to the position of chief of police.
Shear died September 19, 1921 at the age of 83.
Matthew G. Forte, Staff Writer Police Collectors News, April 2004.
The 1900 census shows his occupation as watchman.
The Thirteenth was the first Regiment organized from the then Second Congressional District of the State, and was composed of as good citizens as Northern Illinois contained, many that enlisted as privates rising to field officers in later regiments.
John B. Wyman of Amboy, was elected Colonel, B. F. Parks of Aurora, Lieutenant Colonel, and A. B. Georges of Dixon, Major.
The Regiment was mustered into the State service on the 21st day of April and into the United States service on the 24th day of May, 1861, for three years or during the war, by Captain John Pope, of the Regular Army, at Camp Dement, Dixon, Illinois.
Its Colonel, John B. Wyman, organized and commanded the "Chicago Light Guards" the first Crack Corps the Garden City ever had and he soon brought the Thirteenth to a degree of proficiency in drill and soldierly deportment that was never excelled by any regiment with which it was afterwards associated.
On the 16th of June it was ordered to Caseyville, Ill., 10 miles east of St. Louis, and on the 5th day of July it passed through St. Louis to Rolla, Mo. where it remained until the spring of 1862.
While stationed at Rolla it was engaged in guarding supply trains to and from General Lyon's army, in suppressing guerrilla bands in that part of the State, and was a part of General Fremont's force that went to Springfield Missouri, in the fall of 1861 after General Price, when the Regiment was well and favorably known as "Fremont's Grey Hounds," a name given to them by General Fremont himself, on the evening the Regiment joined his army at Bolivar, in splendid shape, after a day's march of 42 miles.
In 1862 it joined General Curtis' army at Pea Ridge, 250 miles southwest of Rolla, and was with General Curtis in his memorable march from Pea Ridge to Helena, Arkansas, on the Mississippi river.
It was a part of General Sherman's army in his attack upon Chickasaw Bayou, and from that time on became a part of the noted Fifteenth Army Corps commanded so long by General Sherman in person. In the first day's assault at Chickasaw Bayou, Colonel Wyman was killed. The day following, it was a part of General F. P. Blair's Brigade that distinguished itself by approaching nearer to the rebel works than any other command in that part of the field. The losses to the Regiment on that day were 183 killed and wounded. It was present at the capture of Arkansas Post, after which it returned to Young's Point, opposite Vicksburg. While there, General Steele's Division of which the Thirteenth was a part, made a very successful raid to Greenville, Miss. and up Deer Creek, driving the rebels out of that region, and destroying an immense quantity of corn intended for the rebel garrison at Vicksburg. It was a part of General Grant's army that crossed the Mississippi at Grand Gulf below Vicksburg, and participated in a part of the battles in the rear of Vicksburg and in the capture of Jackson, and was with General Sherman's Corps on the right of the army during the siege of Vicksburg.
It was with General Steele's Division in the fruitless assault on the rebel works on the 2d day of May, where it suffered severely. Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th day of July, 1863; and on that same night at 12 o'clock the Regiment started with General Sherman after Joe Johnston.
It was present the second time at the capture of Jackson, Miss., and moved still further east to Brandon, where the pursuit of Joe Johnston ended, and with the remainder of the command returned to Black river and went into camp.
When General Sherman was ordered to join General Grant at Chattanooga with his Corps, of which this Regiment was still a part, it went from Vicksburg to Memphis by boat, and from there to Chattanooga by land. The march from Memphis to Chattanooga was a continuous fight, as the rebels tried every way in their power to prevent Sherman from joining Grant's army.
It was with General Osterhaus' Division, temporarily attached to General Hooker's command at the battle of Missionary Ridge, where the Regiment captured 2500 prisoners, and followed the retreating forces to Rossville, where the enemy was overtaken and a severe skirmish ensued; from there the enemy was driven to Ringgold Gap, where they massed their batteries to protect their retreat.
Osterhaus' Division formed in line of battle, the 13th being directly in front of the Gap and the massed batteries. It being impossible to take the Gap by a charge, the Division was withdrawn and again advanced up the side of the mountain to the left of the Gap, where it encountered the forces of General Pat Claybourne, strongly entrenched at the top of the mountain. Here the Regiment and Division held their ground till their ammunition gave out, and they were finally relieved at the third attempt by the 14th Army Corps. They held this trying position for about two hours, the greater portion of the time being without ammunition, depending wholly for their safety upon "fixed bayonets" and their determination never to retreat.
The losses in this battle were 67. Among the killed were Major Bushnell, Captain Blanchard, and Color Bearer Riley, the latter, when shot through the breast, fell in such manner as to be rolled up in the flag, staining it with his heart's blood. For its conduct in the battles in and around Missionary Ridge, the Regiment received the following complimentary notice in Gen. Hooker's report, vol. 8, page 215, Rebellion Record:
"At the same time the enemy kept his artillery busily at work. Their skirmishers were driven in, and, as we learned the position of the battery, the Thirteenth Illinois Regiment, from the right of Wood's line, was thrown forward to seize some houses from which their gunners could be picked off by our men. These were heroically taken and held by that brave Regiment. Apprehensive that he might lose his artillery, the enemy advanced with superior force on our skirmishers, and they fell back behind Wood's line, when that excellent officer opened on the rebels and drove them into the gorge, they leaving, as they fled, their dead and wounded on the ground. Our skirmishers at once reoccupied their line, the Thirteenth Illinois all the time maintaining its position with resolution and obstinacy."
The time of this Regiment being so near out they were not taken on the march to the sea, but left to guard the communications in the rear. On the 18th of June, 1864, the Regiment was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., having served three years and two months.
1900 census for Whiteside, MT. Pleasent, 3rd ward Morrison
occupation as night watchman at a factory
1910 census for Adams county, riverside township, soldiers and sailors home
roll 229, book 1, page285b
Found him in the 1900 census.
Lists him as age 64. lists occupation as night watchman
Found him in the 1900 census.
Lists him as age 64. lists occupation as night watchman
also lists Catherine age 24 and Pansy age 19 as living with him,
1900 Illinois Census
3rd ward Morrison, Whiteside County, Illinois
Book 2 Page 207
He moved to Whiteside Co., IL sometime before 1862, and during his tour of duty with 13th IL infantry he kept a diary where he mentions writing to an N.S. in Sharon.
Kept a diary during the Civil War. He moved to Morrison in 1860 or 1861 and enlisted in Company G of the 13th Illinois Infantry. His term ended on June 16, 1864. On Mark 1, 1865 he enlisted with Company G of the 156th Illinois Infantry. He was promoted to First Lieutenant shortly after and maintained that rank until the company was disbanded on August 28, 1865.
He was with the first volunteer regiment from Whiteside County, Illinois and also the last. He was wounded twice. The first (in the thigh) was on Dec. 29, 1862 at Vicksburg. His second was in the arm at Ringgold, Georgia during his second term of service. After the service, he received a county bounty of $500 and a monthly pension of $4.00 for his service.
Diary of William H. Shear, Co. G, 13th Ill. Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps. Diary was transcribed by Glenn Bailey, Jan. 4, 1978.
Mr. Shear's childhood was passed in Cherry Valley, New York.
From The History of Whiteside County
The Shear family came from New York state prior to the Civil war and William H. Shear enlisted from Whiteside county in Company G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, being mustered into the United States Service, May 24, 1861, and mustered out June 16, 1864. On the 9th of March 1865, he reenlisted, becoming first lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was finally mustered out August 28, 1865. He was afterward night marshal at Morrison for twenty seven years and previous to that time had served for two years as night man at the depot. His public work brought him a wide acquaintance and his sterling qualities gained him favorable regard. At the age of 66 he moved into the Illinois Soldiers' Home in Quincy. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Took up a soldier's claim from the government in Wisconsin.
William was a long member of the Morrison Illinois police department and in fact Chief from 1875-77. He invented and patented a type of handcuff called a "nipper"
William Henry Shear was born on January 30, 1838 in New York, but by the age of 23 he had moved to Morrison, Illinois.
When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted on May 24, 1861 in Company G of the 13th Illinois Infantry. During his tour of duty, he participated in the battle of Vicksburg and General Grant's attempt to dig a canal on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River, thereby permitting the Union Army to attack Vicksburg from the south.
On June 16, 1864 he was mustered out but re-enlisted on March 1, 1865 and served a second tour of duty with the 156th Illinois Infantry. During this tour he was promoted on March 9 to the rank of first lieutenant. The company was disbanded on September 20, 1865.
After hostilities ended Shear returned to Morrison in Whiteside County and shortly thereafter joined the local police force. He rose to the rank of chief of police and held that position from 1875 through 1877. Not bad to have made chief at the age of 37.
In addition to his military and police careers, Shear was also an inventor. He invented a cane gun, devices related to shotguns, and well as his invention of a police mechanical nipper.
Shear applied for a patent for a "Police Nippers" on March 14, 1884. It is very likely that he was still a member of Morrison PD at that time since the 1880 census lists his citation a policeman. Patent number 303,953 was granted to him on August 19, 1884.
It is fairly apparent that Shear's police experience especially that of arresting offenders had a significant impact on his believing he had developed a better restraint than had previously been invented.
In Shear's own words:
"The advantages of my invention are numerous and obvious. One very important advantage over nippers heretofore used is that while in the case of such others like the chain-twisters, for instance, if the officer, in the scuffle with an offender, should lose his hold, the nipper would become detached. In my invention the nipper remains in place until formally detached.
My device while not so severe or dangerous as the chain-twister, is much more secure and reliable. Again, but one hand is necessarily employed in attaching or releasing my invention, a matter of much importance, particularly in a scuffle, where ordinarily the officer has both hands employed.
Having been granted a patent does not automatically mean that a device actually gets manufactured, but in Shear's case his mechanical nipper was made.
It is a very infrequently encountered restraint, one likely to have been manufactured and distributed locally.
I have found no advertisement for a Shear nipper in any of the police goods catalogs that I have reviewed. Only a few collectors are fortunate enough to have a Shear nipper in their collections.
Shear is one of only two inventors I have researched who turned out not only to have had police experience, but also to have risen in rank to the position of chief of police.
Shear died September 19, 1921 at the age of 83.
Matthew G. Forte, Staff Writer Police Collectors News, April 2004.
The 1900 census shows his occupation as watchman.
The Thirteenth was the first Regiment organized from the then Second Congressional District of the State, and was composed of as good citizens as Northern Illinois contained, many that enlisted as privates rising to field officers in later regiments.
John B. Wyman of Amboy, was elected Colonel, B. F. Parks of Aurora, Lieutenant Colonel, and A. B. Georges of Dixon, Major.
The Regiment was mustered into the State service on the 21st day of April and into the United States service on the 24th day of May, 1861, for three years or during the war, by Captain John Pope, of the Regular Army, at Camp Dement, Dixon, Illinois.
Its Colonel, John B. Wyman, organized and commanded the "Chicago Light Guards" the first Crack Corps the Garden City ever had and he soon brought the Thirteenth to a degree of proficiency in drill and soldierly deportment that was never excelled by any regiment with which it was afterwards associated.
On the 16th of June it was ordered to Caseyville, Ill., 10 miles east of St. Louis, and on the 5th day of July it passed through St. Louis to Rolla, Mo. where it remained until the spring of 1862.
While stationed at Rolla it was engaged in guarding supply trains to and from General Lyon's army, in suppressing guerrilla bands in that part of the State, and was a part of General Fremont's force that went to Springfield Missouri, in the fall of 1861 after General Price, when the Regiment was well and favorably known as "Fremont's Grey Hounds," a name given to them by General Fremont himself, on the evening the Regiment joined his army at Bolivar, in splendid shape, after a day's march of 42 miles.
In 1862 it joined General Curtis' army at Pea Ridge, 250 miles southwest of Rolla, and was with General Curtis in his memorable march from Pea Ridge to Helena, Arkansas, on the Mississippi river.
It was a part of General Sherman's army in his attack upon Chickasaw Bayou, and from that time on became a part of the noted Fifteenth Army Corps commanded so long by General Sherman in person. In the first day's assault at Chickasaw Bayou, Colonel Wyman was killed. The day following, it was a part of General F. P. Blair's Brigade that distinguished itself by approaching nearer to the rebel works than any other command in that part of the field. The losses to the Regiment on that day were 183 killed and wounded. It was present at the capture of Arkansas Post, after which it returned to Young's Point, opposite Vicksburg. While there, General Steele's Division of which the Thirteenth was a part, made a very successful raid to Greenville, Miss. and up Deer Creek, driving the rebels out of that region, and destroying an immense quantity of corn intended for the rebel garrison at Vicksburg. It was a part of General Grant's army that crossed the Mississippi at Grand Gulf below Vicksburg, and participated in a part of the battles in the rear of Vicksburg and in the capture of Jackson, and was with General Sherman's Corps on the right of the army during the siege of Vicksburg.
It was with General Steele's Division in the fruitless assault on the rebel works on the 2d day of May, where it suffered severely. Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th day of July, 1863; and on that same night at 12 o'clock the Regiment started with General Sherman after Joe Johnston.
It was present the second time at the capture of Jackson, Miss., and moved still further east to Brandon, where the pursuit of Joe Johnston ended, and with the remainder of the command returned to Black river and went into camp.
When General Sherman was ordered to join General Grant at Chattanooga with his Corps, of which this Regiment was still a part, it went from Vicksburg to Memphis by boat, and from there to Chattanooga by land. The march from Memphis to Chattanooga was a continuous fight, as the rebels tried every way in their power to prevent Sherman from joining Grant's army.
It was with General Osterhaus' Division, temporarily attached to General Hooker's command at the battle of Missionary Ridge, where the Regiment captured 2500 prisoners, and followed the retreating forces to Rossville, where the enemy was overtaken and a severe skirmish ensued; from there the enemy was driven to Ringgold Gap, where they massed their batteries to protect their retreat.
Osterhaus' Division formed in line of battle, the 13th being directly in front of the Gap and the massed batteries. It being impossible to take the Gap by a charge, the Division was withdrawn and again advanced up the side of the mountain to the left of the Gap, where it encountered the forces of General Pat Claybourne, strongly entrenched at the top of the mountain. Here the Regiment and Division held their ground till their ammunition gave out, and they were finally relieved at the third attempt by the 14th Army Corps. They held this trying position for about two hours, the greater portion of the time being without ammunition, depending wholly for their safety upon "fixed bayonets" and their determination never to retreat.
The losses in this battle were 67. Among the killed were Major Bushnell, Captain Blanchard, and Color Bearer Riley, the latter, when shot through the breast, fell in such manner as to be rolled up in the flag, staining it with his heart's blood. For its conduct in the battles in and around Missionary Ridge, the Regiment received the following complimentary notice in Gen. Hooker's report, vol. 8, page 215, Rebellion Record:
"At the same time the enemy kept his artillery busily at work. Their skirmishers were driven in, and, as we learned the position of the battery, the Thirteenth Illinois Regiment, from the right of Wood's line, was thrown forward to seize some houses from which their gunners could be picked off by our men. These were heroically taken and held by that brave Regiment. Apprehensive that he might lose his artillery, the enemy advanced with superior force on our skirmishers, and they fell back behind Wood's line, when that excellent officer opened on the rebels and drove them into the gorge, they leaving, as they fled, their dead and wounded on the ground. Our skirmishers at once reoccupied their line, the Thirteenth Illinois all the time maintaining its position with resolution and obstinacy."
The time of this Regiment being so near out they were not taken on the march to the sea, but left to guard the communications in the rear. On the 18th of June, 1864, the Regiment was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., having served three years and two months.
1900 census for Whiteside, MT. Pleasent, 3rd ward Morrison
occupation as night watchman at a factory
1910 census for Adams county, riverside township, soldiers and sailors home
roll 229, book 1, page285b
Found him in the 1900 census.
Lists him as age 64. lists occupation as night watchman
Found him in the 1900 census.
Lists him as age 64. lists occupation as night watchman
also lists Catherine age 24 and Pansy age 19 as living with him,
1900 Illinois Census
3rd ward Morrison, Whiteside County, Illinois
Book 2 Page 207
He moved to Whiteside Co., IL sometime before 1862, and during his tour of duty with 13th IL infantry he kept a diary where he mentions writing to an N.S. in Sharon.
Kept a diary during the Civil War. He moved to Morrison in 1860 or 1861 and enlisted in Company G of the 13th Illinois Infantry. His term ended on June 16, 1864. On Mark 1, 1865 he enlisted with Company G of the 156th Illinois Infantry. He was promoted to First Lieutenant shortly after and maintained that rank until the company was disbanded on August 28, 1865.
He was with the first volunteer regiment from Whiteside County, Illinois and also the last. He was wounded twice. The first (in the thigh) was on Dec. 29, 1862 at Vicksburg. His second was in the arm at Ringgold, Georgia during his second term of service. After the service, he received a county bounty of $500 and a monthly pension of $4.00 for his service.
Diary of William H. Shear, Co. G, 13th Ill. Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps. Diary was transcribed by Glenn Bailey, Jan. 4, 1978.
William H. and Jean Murray Shear were early residents of Whiteside county, Illinois. Mrs. Shear was born in Scotland and came to the United States when two years of age with her parents arriving in 1842.
Mr. Shear's childhood was passed in Cherry Valley, New York.
From The History of Whiteside County
The Shear family came from New York state prior to the Civil war and William H. Shear enlisted from Whiteside county in Company G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, being mustered into the United States Service, May 24, 1861, and mustered out June 16, 1864. On the 9th of March 1865, he reenlisted, becoming first lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was finally mustered out August 28, 1865. He was afterward night marshal at Morrison for twenty seven years and previous to that time had served for two years as night man at the depot. His public work brought him a wide acquaintance and his sterling qualities gained him favorable regard. At the age of 66 he moved into the Illinois Soldiers' Home in Quincy. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Took up a soldier's claim from the government in Wisconsin.
William was a long member of the Morrison Illinois police department and in fact Chief from 1875-77. He invented and patented a type of handcuff called a "nipper"
William Henry Shear was born on January 30, 1838 in New York, but by the age of 23 he had moved to Morrison, Illinois.
When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted on May 24, 1861 in Company G of the 13th Illinois Infantry. During his tour of duty, he participated in the battle of Vicksburg and General Grant's attempt to dig a canal on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River, thereby permitting the Union Army to attack Vicksburg from the south.
On June 16, 1864 he was mustered out but re-enlisted on March 1, 1865 and served a second tour of duty with the 156th Illinois Infantry. During this tour he was promoted on March 9 to the rank of first lieutenant. The company was disbanded on September 20, 1865.
After hostilities ended Shear returned to Morrison in Whiteside County and shortly thereafter joined the local police force. He rose to the rank of chief of police and held that position from 1875 through 1877. Not bad to have made chief at the age of 37.
In addition to his military and police careers, Shear was also an inventor. He invented a cane gun, devices related to shotguns, and well as his invention of a police mechanical nipper.
Shear applied for a patent for a "Police Nippers" on March 14, 1884. It is very likely that he was still a member of Morrison PD at that time since the 1880 census lists his citation a policeman. Patent number 303,953 was granted to him on August 19, 1884.
It is fairly apparent that Shear's police experience especially that of arresting offenders had a significant impact on his believing he had developed a better restraint than had previously been invented.
In Shear's own words:
"The advantages of my invention are numerous and obvious. One very important advantage over nippers heretofore used is that while in the case of such others like the chain-twisters, for instance, if the officer, in the scuffle with an offender, should lose his hold, the nipper would become detached. In my invention the nipper remains in place until formally detached.
My device while not so severe or dangerous as the chain-twister, is much more secure and reliable. Again, but one hand is necessarily employed in attaching or releasing my invention, a matter of much importance, particularly in a scuffle, where ordinarily the officer has both hands employed.
Having been granted a patent does not automatically mean that a device actually gets manufactured, but in Shear's case his mechanical nipper was made.
It is a very infrequently encountered restraint, one likely to have been manufactured and distributed locally.
I have found no advertisement for a Shear nipper in any of the police goods catalogs that I have reviewed. Only a few collectors are fortunate enough to have a Shear nipper in their collections.
Shear is one of only two inventors I have researched who turned out not only to have had police experience, but also to have risen in rank to the position of chief of police.
Shear died September 19, 1921 at the age of 83.
Matthew G. Forte, Staff Writer Police Collectors News, April 2004.
The 1900 census shows his occupation as watchman.
The Thirteenth was the first Regiment organized from the then Second Congressional District of the State, and was composed of as good citizens as Northern Illinois contained, many that enlisted as privates rising to field officers in later regiments.
John B. Wyman of Amboy, was elected Colonel, B. F. Parks of Aurora, Lieutenant Colonel, and A. B. Georges of Dixon, Major.
The Regiment was mustered into the State service on the 21st day of April and into the United States service on the 24th day of May, 1861, for three years or during the war, by Captain John Pope, of the Regular Army, at Camp Dement, Dixon, Illinois.
Its Colonel, John B. Wyman, organized and commanded the "Chicago Light Guards" the first Crack Corps the Garden City ever had and he soon brought the Thirteenth to a degree of proficiency in drill and soldierly deportment that was never excelled by any regiment with which it was afterwards associated.
On the 16th of June it was ordered to Caseyville, Ill., 10 miles east of St. Louis, and on the 5th day of July it passed through St. Louis to Rolla, Mo. where it remained until the spring of 1862.
While stationed at Rolla it was engaged in guarding supply trains to and from General Lyon's army, in suppressing guerrilla bands in that part of the State, and was a part of General Fremont's force that went to Springfield Missouri, in the fall of 1861 after General Price, when the Regiment was well and favorably known as "Fremont's Grey Hounds," a name given to them by General Fremont himself, on the evening the Regiment joined his army at Bolivar, in splendid shape, after a day's march of 42 miles.
In 1862 it joined General Curtis' army at Pea Ridge, 250 miles southwest of Rolla, and was with General Curtis in his memorable march from Pea Ridge to Helena, Arkansas, on the Mississippi river.
It was a part of General Sherman's army in his attack upon Chickasaw Bayou, and from that time on became a part of the noted Fifteenth Army Corps commanded so long by General Sherman in person. In the first day's assault at Chickasaw Bayou, Colonel Wyman was killed. The day following, it was a part of General F. P. Blair's Brigade that distinguished itself by approaching nearer to the rebel works than any other command in that part of the field. The losses to the Regiment on that day were 183 killed and wounded. It was present at the capture of Arkansas Post, after which it returned to Young's Point, opposite Vicksburg. While there, General Steele's Division of which the Thirteenth was a part, made a very successful raid to Greenville, Miss. and up Deer Creek, driving the rebels out of that region, and destroying an immense quantity of corn intended for the rebel garrison at Vicksburg. It was a part of General Grant's army that crossed the Mississippi at Grand Gulf below Vicksburg, and participated in a part of the battles in the rear of Vicksburg and in the capture of Jackson, and was with General Sherman's Corps on the right of the army during the siege of Vicksburg.
It was with General Steele's Division in the fruitless assault on the rebel works on the 2d day of May, where it suffered severely. Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th day of July, 1863; and on that same night at 12 o'clock the Regiment started with General Sherman after Joe Johnston.
It was present the second time at the capture of Jackson, Miss., and moved still further east to Brandon, where the pursuit of Joe Johnston ended, and with the remainder of the command returned to Black river and went into camp.
When General Sherman was ordered to join General Grant at Chattanooga with his Corps, of which this Regiment was still a part, it went from Vicksburg to Memphis by boat, and from there to Chattanooga by land. The march from Memphis to Chattanooga was a continuous fight, as the rebels tried every way in their power to prevent Sherman from joining Grant's army.
It was with General Osterhaus' Division, temporarily attached to General Hooker's command at the battle of Missionary Ridge, where the Regiment captured 2500 prisoners, and followed the retreating forces to Rossville, where the enemy was overtaken and a severe skirmish ensued; from there the enemy was driven to Ringgold Gap, where they massed their batteries to protect their retreat.
Osterhaus' Division formed in line of battle, the 13th being directly in front of the Gap and the massed batteries. It being impossible to take the Gap by a charge, the Division was withdrawn and again advanced up the side of the mountain to the left of the Gap, where it encountered the forces of General Pat Claybourne, strongly entrenched at the top of the mountain. Here the Regiment and Division held their ground till their ammunition gave out, and they were finally relieved at the third attempt by the 14th Army Corps. They held this trying position for about two hours, the greater portion of the time being without ammunition, depending wholly for their safety upon "fixed bayonets" and their determination never to retreat.
The losses in this battle were 67. Among the killed were Major Bushnell, Captain Blanchard, and Color Bearer Riley, the latter, when shot through the breast, fell in such manner as to be rolled up in the flag, staining it with his heart's blood. For its conduct in the battles in and around Missionary Ridge, the Regiment received the following complimentary notice in Gen. Hooker's report, vol. 8, page 215, Rebellion Record:
"At the same time the enemy kept his artillery busily at work. Their skirmishers were driven in, and, as we learned the position of the battery, the Thirteenth Illinois Regiment, from the right of Wood's line, was thrown forward to seize some houses from which their gunners could be picked off by our men. These were heroically taken and held by that brave Regiment. Apprehensive that he might lose his artillery, the enemy advanced with superior force on our skirmishers, and they fell back behind Wood's line, when that excellent officer opened on the rebels and drove them into the gorge, they leaving, as they fled, their dead and wounded on the ground. Our skirmishers at once reoccupied their line, the Thirteenth Illinois all the time maintaining its position with resolution and obstinacy."
The time of this Regiment being so near out they were not taken on the march to the sea, but left to guard the communications in the rear. On the 18th of June, 1864, the Regiment was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., having served three years and two months.
1900 census for Whiteside, MT. Pleasent, 3rd ward Morrison
occupation as night watchman at a factory
1910 census for Adams county, riverside township, soldiers and sailors home
roll 229, book 1, page285b
Found him in the 1900 census.
Lists him as age 64. lists occupation as night watchman
Found him in the 1900 census.
Lists him as age 64. lists occupation as night watchman
also lists Catherine age 24 and Pansy age 19 as living with him,
1900 Illinois Census
3rd ward Morrison, Whiteside County, Illinois
Book 2 Page 207
He moved to Whiteside Co., IL sometime before 1862, and during his tour of duty with 13th IL infantry he kept a diary where he mentions writing to an N.S. in Sharon.
Kept a diary during the Civil War. He moved to Morrison in 1860 or 1861 and enlisted in Company G of the 13th Illinois Infantry. His term ended on June 16, 1864. On Mark 1, 1865 he enlisted with Company G of the 156th Illinois Infantry. He was promoted to First Lieutenant shortly after and maintained that rank until the company was disbanded on August 28, 1865.
He was with the first volunteer regiment from Whiteside County, Illinois and also the last. He was wounded twice. The first (in the thigh) was on Dec. 29, 1862 at Vicksburg. His second was in the arm at Ringgold, Georgia during his second term of service. After the service, he received a county bounty of $500 and a monthly pension of $4.00 for his service.
Diary of William H. Shear, Co. G, 13th Ill. Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps. Diary was transcribed by Glenn Bailey, Jan. 4, 1978.
Mr. Shear's childhood was passed in Cherry Valley, New York.
From The History of Whiteside County
The Shear family came from New York state prior to the Civil war and William H. Shear enlisted from Whiteside county in Company G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, being mustered into the United States Service, May 24, 1861, and mustered out June 16, 1864. On the 9th of March 1865, he reenlisted, becoming first lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was finally mustered out August 28, 1865. He was afterward night marshal at Morrison for twenty seven years and previous to that time had served for two years as night man at the depot. His public work brought him a wide acquaintance and his sterling qualities gained him favorable regard. At the age of 66 he moved into the Illinois Soldiers' Home in Quincy. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Took up a soldier's claim from the government in Wisconsin.
William was a long member of the Morrison Illinois police department and in fact Chief from 1875-77. He invented and patented a type of handcuff called a "nipper"
William Henry Shear was born on January 30, 1838 in New York, but by the age of 23 he had moved to Morrison, Illinois.
When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted on May 24, 1861 in Company G of the 13th Illinois Infantry. During his tour of duty, he participated in the battle of Vicksburg and General Grant's attempt to dig a canal on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River, thereby permitting the Union Army to attack Vicksburg from the south.
On June 16, 1864 he was mustered out but re-enlisted on March 1, 1865 and served a second tour of duty with the 156th Illinois Infantry. During this tour he was promoted on March 9 to the rank of first lieutenant. The company was disbanded on September 20, 1865.
After hostilities ended Shear returned to Morrison in Whiteside County and shortly thereafter joined the local police force. He rose to the rank of chief of police and held that position from 1875 through 1877. Not bad to have made chief at the age of 37.
In addition to his military and police careers, Shear was also an inventor. He invented a cane gun, devices related to shotguns, and well as his invention of a police mechanical nipper.
Shear applied for a patent for a "Police Nippers" on March 14, 1884. It is very likely that he was still a member of Morrison PD at that time since the 1880 census lists his citation a policeman. Patent number 303,953 was granted to him on August 19, 1884.
It is fairly apparent that Shear's police experience especially that of arresting offenders had a significant impact on his believing he had developed a better restraint than had previously been invented.
In Shear's own words:
"The advantages of my invention are numerous and obvious. One very important advantage over nippers heretofore used is that while in the case of such others like the chain-twisters, for instance, if the officer, in the scuffle with an offender, should lose his hold, the nipper would become detached. In my invention the nipper remains in place until formally detached.
My device while not so severe or dangerous as the chain-twister, is much more secure and reliable. Again, but one hand is necessarily employed in attaching or releasing my invention, a matter of much importance, particularly in a scuffle, where ordinarily the officer has both hands employed.
Having been granted a patent does not automatically mean that a device actually gets manufactured, but in Shear's case his mechanical nipper was made.
It is a very infrequently encountered restraint, one likely to have been manufactured and distributed locally.
I have found no advertisement for a Shear nipper in any of the police goods catalogs that I have reviewed. Only a few collectors are fortunate enough to have a Shear nipper in their collections.
Shear is one of only two inventors I have researched who turned out not only to have had police experience, but also to have risen in rank to the position of chief of police.
Shear died September 19, 1921 at the age of 83.
Matthew G. Forte, Staff Writer Police Collectors News, April 2004.
The 1900 census shows his occupation as watchman.
The Thirteenth was the first Regiment organized from the then Second Congressional District of the State, and was composed of as good citizens as Northern Illinois contained, many that enlisted as privates rising to field officers in later regiments.
John B. Wyman of Amboy, was elected Colonel, B. F. Parks of Aurora, Lieutenant Colonel, and A. B. Georges of Dixon, Major.
The Regiment was mustered into the State service on the 21st day of April and into the United States service on the 24th day of May, 1861, for three years or during the war, by Captain John Pope, of the Regular Army, at Camp Dement, Dixon, Illinois.
Its Colonel, John B. Wyman, organized and commanded the "Chicago Light Guards" the first Crack Corps the Garden City ever had and he soon brought the Thirteenth to a degree of proficiency in drill and soldierly deportment that was never excelled by any regiment with which it was afterwards associated.
On the 16th of June it was ordered to Caseyville, Ill., 10 miles east of St. Louis, and on the 5th day of July it passed through St. Louis to Rolla, Mo. where it remained until the spring of 1862.
While stationed at Rolla it was engaged in guarding supply trains to and from General Lyon's army, in suppressing guerrilla bands in that part of the State, and was a part of General Fremont's force that went to Springfield Missouri, in the fall of 1861 after General Price, when the Regiment was well and favorably known as "Fremont's Grey Hounds," a name given to them by General Fremont himself, on the evening the Regiment joined his army at Bolivar, in splendid shape, after a day's march of 42 miles.
In 1862 it joined General Curtis' army at Pea Ridge, 250 miles southwest of Rolla, and was with General Curtis in his memorable march from Pea Ridge to Helena, Arkansas, on the Mississippi river.
It was a part of General Sherman's army in his attack upon Chickasaw Bayou, and from that time on became a part of the noted Fifteenth Army Corps commanded so long by General Sherman in person. In the first day's assault at Chickasaw Bayou, Colonel Wyman was killed. The day following, it was a part of General F. P. Blair's Brigade that distinguished itself by approaching nearer to the rebel works than any other command in that part of the field. The losses to the Regiment on that day were 183 killed and wounded. It was present at the capture of Arkansas Post, after which it returned to Young's Point, opposite Vicksburg. While there, General Steele's Division of which the Thirteenth was a part, made a very successful raid to Greenville, Miss. and up Deer Creek, driving the rebels out of that region, and destroying an immense quantity of corn intended for the rebel garrison at Vicksburg. It was a part of General Grant's army that crossed the Mississippi at Grand Gulf below Vicksburg, and participated in a part of the battles in the rear of Vicksburg and in the capture of Jackson, and was with General Sherman's Corps on the right of the army during the siege of Vicksburg.
It was with General Steele's Division in the fruitless assault on the rebel works on the 2d day of May, where it suffered severely. Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th day of July, 1863; and on that same night at 12 o'clock the Regiment started with General Sherman after Joe Johnston.
It was present the second time at the capture of Jackson, Miss., and moved still further east to Brandon, where the pursuit of Joe Johnston ended, and with the remainder of the command returned to Black river and went into camp.
When General Sherman was ordered to join General Grant at Chattanooga with his Corps, of which this Regiment was still a part, it went from Vicksburg to Memphis by boat, and from there to Chattanooga by land. The march from Memphis to Chattanooga was a continuous fight, as the rebels tried every way in their power to prevent Sherman from joining Grant's army.
It was with General Osterhaus' Division, temporarily attached to General Hooker's command at the battle of Missionary Ridge, where the Regiment captured 2500 prisoners, and followed the retreating forces to Rossville, where the enemy was overtaken and a severe skirmish ensued; from there the enemy was driven to Ringgold Gap, where they massed their batteries to protect their retreat.
Osterhaus' Division formed in line of battle, the 13th being directly in front of the Gap and the massed batteries. It being impossible to take the Gap by a charge, the Division was withdrawn and again advanced up the side of the mountain to the left of the Gap, where it encountered the forces of General Pat Claybourne, strongly entrenched at the top of the mountain. Here the Regiment and Division held their ground till their ammunition gave out, and they were finally relieved at the third attempt by the 14th Army Corps. They held this trying position for about two hours, the greater portion of the time being without ammunition, depending wholly for their safety upon "fixed bayonets" and their determination never to retreat.
The losses in this battle were 67. Among the killed were Major Bushnell, Captain Blanchard, and Color Bearer Riley, the latter, when shot through the breast, fell in such manner as to be rolled up in the flag, staining it with his heart's blood. For its conduct in the battles in and around Missionary Ridge, the Regiment received the following complimentary notice in Gen. Hooker's report, vol. 8, page 215, Rebellion Record:
"At the same time the enemy kept his artillery busily at work. Their skirmishers were driven in, and, as we learned the position of the battery, the Thirteenth Illinois Regiment, from the right of Wood's line, was thrown forward to seize some houses from which their gunners could be picked off by our men. These were heroically taken and held by that brave Regiment. Apprehensive that he might lose his artillery, the enemy advanced with superior force on our skirmishers, and they fell back behind Wood's line, when that excellent officer opened on the rebels and drove them into the gorge, they leaving, as they fled, their dead and wounded on the ground. Our skirmishers at once reoccupied their line, the Thirteenth Illinois all the time maintaining its position with resolution and obstinacy."
The time of this Regiment being so near out they were not taken on the march to the sea, but left to guard the communications in the rear. On the 18th of June, 1864, the Regiment was mustered out at Springfield, Ill., having served three years and two months.
1900 census for Whiteside, MT. Pleasent, 3rd ward Morrison
occupation as night watchman at a factory
1910 census for Adams county, riverside township, soldiers and sailors home
roll 229, book 1, page285b
Found him in the 1900 census.
Lists him as age 64. lists occupation as night watchman
Found him in the 1900 census.
Lists him as age 64. lists occupation as night watchman
also lists Catherine age 24 and Pansy age 19 as living with him,
1900 Illinois Census
3rd ward Morrison, Whiteside County, Illinois
Book 2 Page 207
He moved to Whiteside Co., IL sometime before 1862, and during his tour of duty with 13th IL infantry he kept a diary where he mentions writing to an N.S. in Sharon.
Kept a diary during the Civil War. He moved to Morrison in 1860 or 1861 and enlisted in Company G of the 13th Illinois Infantry. His term ended on June 16, 1864. On Mark 1, 1865 he enlisted with Company G of the 156th Illinois Infantry. He was promoted to First Lieutenant shortly after and maintained that rank until the company was disbanded on August 28, 1865.
He was with the first volunteer regiment from Whiteside County, Illinois and also the last. He was wounded twice. The first (in the thigh) was on Dec. 29, 1862 at Vicksburg. His second was in the arm at Ringgold, Georgia during his second term of service. After the service, he received a county bounty of $500 and a monthly pension of $4.00 for his service.
Diary of William H. Shear, Co. G, 13th Ill. Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps. Diary was transcribed by Glenn Bailey, Jan. 4, 1978.
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