Frederick S. Mears was the son of Benjamin Franklin Mears and Elizabeth Charlotte Scholts of Hindostan,Martin Co. Indiana. He was the fourth of their 10 children. He "was reared on the home farm, and attended the district schools."
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Frederick S. MEARS enlisted 12 Sept. 1861 at Indianapolis, Indiana, as a Private, in Capt. BURGE's company "E", 27th Indiana Infantry. He was described as Age 20 years; height 4 feet 8 inches; fair complexion; blue eyes; red hair; farmer; resident of Washington, Indiana. Frederick S. MEARS participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Second Bull Run, Second Winchester, Savage Station, Gettysburg, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek, Resacca, South Mountain, Buzzard Roost, Snake Creek Gap and others.
Frederick MEARS was listed as wounded on 17 September 1862, at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland and at Sharpsburg.
From Sept. 1862 through December 1862, Frank S. MEARS, Pvt., Co. E, 27th Reg't Indiana Infantry appears on the Hospital Muster Rolls of Carver U.S.A. General Hospital in Washington, D.C. He is listed as doing detail as "cook" and "nurse" at the hospital at Alexandria.
Frederick S. MEARS resumed active duty with his company and was detached as a "teamster in the Ordinance Train" on 17 March 1863.
Frederick S. MEARS, Pvt., Co. E, 27th Indiana Inf., was mustered out of the service near Chattahoochie River, Georgia on 1 September 1864. After his return from the war, he worked for his father, B.F. Mears, for about eighteen months; then he married and started out for himself. He farmed in various places in Indiana until 1881 when he came to Minnesota.
References: U.S. War Dept., Annual Return of Casualties of the 27th Indiana Regiment for the year 1862, Index 11E, No.40, page 5, and Index 11E, No.18, p.18;
National Archives Pension File #WC.906,463;
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After his return from the war, he worked for his father for about eighteen months; then he married and started out for himself. He farmed in various places in Indiana until 1881 when he came to Minnesota.
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He married America Martha "Matty" Spilman, dau. of Harvey and Mary (Mason) Spilman at Washington, Daviess County, Indiana on September 27, 1866. They had three children: Charles Bertred Mears, Frederick Mears and Mary Alma (Mears) DeCoursey.
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Census of Washington, Daviess Co., Indiana, June 7, 1870 lists:
Frederick MEARS, 25, Nursery Man, born IN
Martha MEARS 24, born IN
Charles MEARS 3, born IN
(They were living in the household of James D. and Susan FULLER.)
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Census, Washington, Daviess County, Indiana, 3 June 1880:
Harvey SPILMAN Age 72, born Ky.
Mary SPILMAN 65 N.Y.
Frederick MEARS 35 Ind.
Mattie MEARS 30 Ind
Charles MEARS 12 Ind.
Frederick MEARS 8 Ind.
Mary A. MEARS 2 Ind.
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About 1882, Fred and Mattie MEARS moved from Indiana together with Mattie's parents to Faribault, Rice Co., MN. Fred Mears farmed for many years in Rice and Steele counties.
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1885 Minnesota State Census, Faribault, Rice County, 1885, 3rd Ward, p.15:
Frederick S. MEARS age 43 born Indiana
Martha MEARS 37 Indiana
Charles MEARS 17 Indiana
Fred MEARS 12 Indiana
Mary A. MEARS 7 Indiana
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Frederick S. MEARS was superintendent of the Steele County Poor Farm in 1888.
Fred MEARS was a member of the Michael Cook Post, G.A.R., at Faribault, Minnesota; and he passed through all of the chairs of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Faribault, as well as serving with distinction as district deputy grandmaster. In 1880, a picture of him was on display at the Rice County Historical Museum, on a large wall hanging, with individual portraits of all the members of the Michael Cook Post G.A.R.
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Minnesota State Census, Faribault, Rice County, 1895, 2nd Ward:
F. S. MEARS Age 43 born Indiana, Farmer
A. MEARS 49 Indiana
C. B. MEARS 28 Indiana, Dyer
F. MEARS 23 Indiana, Miller
M. A. MEARS 18 Indiana
M. SPILLMAN 82 Ohio
[Notes: M. A. MEARS (Mary Alma MEARS) married Leslie DeCOURSEY.
M. SPILLMAN, age 82 is Mary (MASON) SPILMAN, mother of America "A. Mears". Mary was actually born at Onondaga Co., NY. - W.L.D.]
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On 27 December 1897 and 4 July 1898, Frederick S. MEARS of Faribault, Rice County, Minnesota made declarations for the purpose of receiving a Civil War veteran's pension. He declared that he was married to America "Mattie" SPILMAN on 27 Sept 1866 at Washington, Indiana by W. F. HARNED, Pastor of the M. E. Church; that he had a marriage certificate; and that witnesses to the marriage were Harvey & Mary SPILMAN and B. F. & Charlotte MEARS. He named living children: Charles Bertred MEARS, born 30 August 1867; Fred MEARS, born 16 Feb. 1872; and Mary Alma MEARS, born 16 August 1877. On the second questionnaire, signed and dated July 4th 1898, he made the notation "a glorious 4th for the Boys in Santiago Hurrah." National Archives Pension File WC.906,463.
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"It was in 1898 that Frederick S. MEARS fist located in Minneapolis. After a year there he went to Starbuck, Pope county, Minnesota, and handled nursery stock for two years. Subsequently he returned to Minneapolis and spent seven years there." Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA (1915), v.I, pp.354-355.
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In April 1908, Frederick S. MEARS came to Wright County, Minnesota and purchased Resort property in section 15 on Cedar Lake. In the HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY (1915) the Mears Resort is described as follows: "The Cottage Grove Summer Resort is one of the deservedly well-patronized summer places of the Northwest. It is situated on the north bank of the lake, where there are prevailing winds, and where the view is especially interesting. The beach is unusually good for bathing, and the boating and fishing facilities are of the best, all the gamier fish common to tis climate abounding in the waters of the lake. The proprietor has ten cottages with twenty two rooms, accommodating fifty people. The porches are screened and the rooms are all well furnished. When the state hotel inspector examined the place he declared that the cottages were in the best of condition, and that the sanitation was the best in its line that he had seen. The place is only five miles from Annandale and seven miles from Maple Lake. Its table is of the best, most of the food served being raised on the place. In the summer season the place is thronged and Mr. MEARS cannot accommodate many of the People who apply."
See: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA (1915), v.I, pp.354-355.
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On 29 September 1911, Frederick S. MEARS,age 70, a resident of Wright County, Minnesota, appeared before a Notary Public at Hennepin County, Minnesota to make a declaration for Pension under the act of February 6, 1907. He states that he was enrolled at Washington, Indiana under the name of Frederick S. MEARS, on the 1st day of August 1861, as a Private in Co. E, 27th Reg't, Indiana Infantry. and was honorably discharged at Chatta Huchie River, Tennessee, on 1st Set. 1864. He declared that he was born 27 September 1841 at Martin County, Indiana. He stated that his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Washington, Indiana 1867; Martin Co., Indiana 1869; Washington, Indiana 1881; Faribault, Minnesota 1887; Steele Co., Minn. 1889; Faribault, Minn. 1895; Starbuck, Minn. 1897; Minneapolis, Minn. 1908; and Wright County, Minnesota. He also stated that he was in 1911 a pensioner (Certificate # 367526). Witnesses to his statement were Alice LAVERTY of Minneapolis and Caroline HUBBS of Wright County, Minnesota. Pension File WC.906,463.
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In 1914, Fred MEARS was a member of Buzzell Post No.24, Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) at Annandale, MN, and he represented the G.A.R. at the Minnesota State encampment. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA (1915), v.I, pp.354-355.
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Frederick S. MEARS, age 79 years, 6 months, 6 days, died 2 April 1921, at Annandale (Corinna Twp.), Wright County, Minnesota. His Death Certificate gives his date of birth as Sept. 27, 1841; birthplace, Indiana; father's name, Benjamin F. MEARS; mother's name, Elizabeth SCHOLTZ; occupation, Summer resort keeper; and cause of death, chronic interstitial nephritis. Undertaker was Dunton & Rackliff, Annandale, Minnesota. He is buried at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. See also National Archives Pension File WC.906,463.
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Following his death, Frederick S. MEARS widow turned over the management of the Mears Cottage Grove Resort, to her two grandsons, Fred Perry DeCOURSEY and Mason MEARS. About 1930 the resort was sold to the Geardink family.
(Note: I recall, as a young child, visiting the MEARS COTTAGE GROVE RESORT on many occasions during the 1930s and early 1940s. There was an excellent beach for swimming with a large diving dock and a "water wheel" for diving from. The fishing was outstanding. It was not unusual to see resort residents bringing in large stringers of Northern Pike, Walleyed Pike, Crappies, and Sunfish. There was a large dining and dance hall, where there was a juke-box playing music during the day, and live entertainment on week ends. In the 1930's and early 1940's the wall of the dining and recreation hall was lined with slot machines. At that time, the resort was still in the MEARS family and was operated by Mason MEARS, a cousin of my father. According to my father, the Vice President of the United States once vacationed at the resort. I remember him showing me the confirmation letter on White House stationary. - William L. DeCOURSEY.)
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Frederick S. Mears was the son of Benjamin Franklin Mears and Elizabeth Charlotte Scholts of Hindostan,Martin Co. Indiana. He was the fourth of their 10 children. He "was reared on the home farm, and attended the district schools."
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Frederick S. MEARS enlisted 12 Sept. 1861 at Indianapolis, Indiana, as a Private, in Capt. BURGE's company "E", 27th Indiana Infantry. He was described as Age 20 years; height 4 feet 8 inches; fair complexion; blue eyes; red hair; farmer; resident of Washington, Indiana. Frederick S. MEARS participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Second Bull Run, Second Winchester, Savage Station, Gettysburg, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek, Resacca, South Mountain, Buzzard Roost, Snake Creek Gap and others.
Frederick MEARS was listed as wounded on 17 September 1862, at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland and at Sharpsburg.
From Sept. 1862 through December 1862, Frank S. MEARS, Pvt., Co. E, 27th Reg't Indiana Infantry appears on the Hospital Muster Rolls of Carver U.S.A. General Hospital in Washington, D.C. He is listed as doing detail as "cook" and "nurse" at the hospital at Alexandria.
Frederick S. MEARS resumed active duty with his company and was detached as a "teamster in the Ordinance Train" on 17 March 1863.
Frederick S. MEARS, Pvt., Co. E, 27th Indiana Inf., was mustered out of the service near Chattahoochie River, Georgia on 1 September 1864. After his return from the war, he worked for his father, B.F. Mears, for about eighteen months; then he married and started out for himself. He farmed in various places in Indiana until 1881 when he came to Minnesota.
References: U.S. War Dept., Annual Return of Casualties of the 27th Indiana Regiment for the year 1862, Index 11E, No.40, page 5, and Index 11E, No.18, p.18;
National Archives Pension File #WC.906,463;
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After his return from the war, he worked for his father for about eighteen months; then he married and started out for himself. He farmed in various places in Indiana until 1881 when he came to Minnesota.
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He married America Martha "Matty" Spilman, dau. of Harvey and Mary (Mason) Spilman at Washington, Daviess County, Indiana on September 27, 1866. They had three children: Charles Bertred Mears, Frederick Mears and Mary Alma (Mears) DeCoursey.
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Census of Washington, Daviess Co., Indiana, June 7, 1870 lists:
Frederick MEARS, 25, Nursery Man, born IN
Martha MEARS 24, born IN
Charles MEARS 3, born IN
(They were living in the household of James D. and Susan FULLER.)
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Census, Washington, Daviess County, Indiana, 3 June 1880:
Harvey SPILMAN Age 72, born Ky.
Mary SPILMAN 65 N.Y.
Frederick MEARS 35 Ind.
Mattie MEARS 30 Ind
Charles MEARS 12 Ind.
Frederick MEARS 8 Ind.
Mary A. MEARS 2 Ind.
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About 1882, Fred and Mattie MEARS moved from Indiana together with Mattie's parents to Faribault, Rice Co., MN. Fred Mears farmed for many years in Rice and Steele counties.
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1885 Minnesota State Census, Faribault, Rice County, 1885, 3rd Ward, p.15:
Frederick S. MEARS age 43 born Indiana
Martha MEARS 37 Indiana
Charles MEARS 17 Indiana
Fred MEARS 12 Indiana
Mary A. MEARS 7 Indiana
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Frederick S. MEARS was superintendent of the Steele County Poor Farm in 1888.
Fred MEARS was a member of the Michael Cook Post, G.A.R., at Faribault, Minnesota; and he passed through all of the chairs of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Faribault, as well as serving with distinction as district deputy grandmaster. In 1880, a picture of him was on display at the Rice County Historical Museum, on a large wall hanging, with individual portraits of all the members of the Michael Cook Post G.A.R.
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Minnesota State Census, Faribault, Rice County, 1895, 2nd Ward:
F. S. MEARS Age 43 born Indiana, Farmer
A. MEARS 49 Indiana
C. B. MEARS 28 Indiana, Dyer
F. MEARS 23 Indiana, Miller
M. A. MEARS 18 Indiana
M. SPILLMAN 82 Ohio
[Notes: M. A. MEARS (Mary Alma MEARS) married Leslie DeCOURSEY.
M. SPILLMAN, age 82 is Mary (MASON) SPILMAN, mother of America "A. Mears". Mary was actually born at Onondaga Co., NY. - W.L.D.]
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On 27 December 1897 and 4 July 1898, Frederick S. MEARS of Faribault, Rice County, Minnesota made declarations for the purpose of receiving a Civil War veteran's pension. He declared that he was married to America "Mattie" SPILMAN on 27 Sept 1866 at Washington, Indiana by W. F. HARNED, Pastor of the M. E. Church; that he had a marriage certificate; and that witnesses to the marriage were Harvey & Mary SPILMAN and B. F. & Charlotte MEARS. He named living children: Charles Bertred MEARS, born 30 August 1867; Fred MEARS, born 16 Feb. 1872; and Mary Alma MEARS, born 16 August 1877. On the second questionnaire, signed and dated July 4th 1898, he made the notation "a glorious 4th for the Boys in Santiago Hurrah." National Archives Pension File WC.906,463.
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"It was in 1898 that Frederick S. MEARS fist located in Minneapolis. After a year there he went to Starbuck, Pope county, Minnesota, and handled nursery stock for two years. Subsequently he returned to Minneapolis and spent seven years there." Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA (1915), v.I, pp.354-355.
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In April 1908, Frederick S. MEARS came to Wright County, Minnesota and purchased Resort property in section 15 on Cedar Lake. In the HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY (1915) the Mears Resort is described as follows: "The Cottage Grove Summer Resort is one of the deservedly well-patronized summer places of the Northwest. It is situated on the north bank of the lake, where there are prevailing winds, and where the view is especially interesting. The beach is unusually good for bathing, and the boating and fishing facilities are of the best, all the gamier fish common to tis climate abounding in the waters of the lake. The proprietor has ten cottages with twenty two rooms, accommodating fifty people. The porches are screened and the rooms are all well furnished. When the state hotel inspector examined the place he declared that the cottages were in the best of condition, and that the sanitation was the best in its line that he had seen. The place is only five miles from Annandale and seven miles from Maple Lake. Its table is of the best, most of the food served being raised on the place. In the summer season the place is thronged and Mr. MEARS cannot accommodate many of the People who apply."
See: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA (1915), v.I, pp.354-355.
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On 29 September 1911, Frederick S. MEARS,age 70, a resident of Wright County, Minnesota, appeared before a Notary Public at Hennepin County, Minnesota to make a declaration for Pension under the act of February 6, 1907. He states that he was enrolled at Washington, Indiana under the name of Frederick S. MEARS, on the 1st day of August 1861, as a Private in Co. E, 27th Reg't, Indiana Infantry. and was honorably discharged at Chatta Huchie River, Tennessee, on 1st Set. 1864. He declared that he was born 27 September 1841 at Martin County, Indiana. He stated that his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Washington, Indiana 1867; Martin Co., Indiana 1869; Washington, Indiana 1881; Faribault, Minnesota 1887; Steele Co., Minn. 1889; Faribault, Minn. 1895; Starbuck, Minn. 1897; Minneapolis, Minn. 1908; and Wright County, Minnesota. He also stated that he was in 1911 a pensioner (Certificate # 367526). Witnesses to his statement were Alice LAVERTY of Minneapolis and Caroline HUBBS of Wright County, Minnesota. Pension File WC.906,463.
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In 1914, Fred MEARS was a member of Buzzell Post No.24, Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) at Annandale, MN, and he represented the G.A.R. at the Minnesota State encampment. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn, HISTORY OF WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA (1915), v.I, pp.354-355.
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Frederick S. MEARS, age 79 years, 6 months, 6 days, died 2 April 1921, at Annandale (Corinna Twp.), Wright County, Minnesota. His Death Certificate gives his date of birth as Sept. 27, 1841; birthplace, Indiana; father's name, Benjamin F. MEARS; mother's name, Elizabeth SCHOLTZ; occupation, Summer resort keeper; and cause of death, chronic interstitial nephritis. Undertaker was Dunton & Rackliff, Annandale, Minnesota. He is buried at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. See also National Archives Pension File WC.906,463.
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Following his death, Frederick S. MEARS widow turned over the management of the Mears Cottage Grove Resort, to her two grandsons, Fred Perry DeCOURSEY and Mason MEARS. About 1930 the resort was sold to the Geardink family.
(Note: I recall, as a young child, visiting the MEARS COTTAGE GROVE RESORT on many occasions during the 1930s and early 1940s. There was an excellent beach for swimming with a large diving dock and a "water wheel" for diving from. The fishing was outstanding. It was not unusual to see resort residents bringing in large stringers of Northern Pike, Walleyed Pike, Crappies, and Sunfish. There was a large dining and dance hall, where there was a juke-box playing music during the day, and live entertainment on week ends. In the 1930's and early 1940's the wall of the dining and recreation hall was lined with slot machines. At that time, the resort was still in the MEARS family and was operated by Mason MEARS, a cousin of my father. According to my father, the Vice President of the United States once vacationed at the resort. I remember him showing me the confirmation letter on White House stationary. - William L. DeCOURSEY.)
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