The Shear family of Schenectady is of Scotch ancestry. The emigrant ancestor, Isaac Shear, came to the United States when a young man and located on a farm in the town of Half Moon, Saratoga county, New York. He died in 1880, aged ninety-six years. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and acted with the Democratic party. He married ———— Sickler, born in Saratoga county, where she died at the age of sixty years. They had fourteen children, of whom we record seven:
- Martha, lived, married and died in the village of Crescent, Saratoga county, leaving issue.
- Isaac, a merchant of Cohoes, New York; married, and died at the age of fifty-six, leaving issue.
- Andrew, a quarryman of Crescent; married ———— Dutcher, and left issue.
- Peter, a merchant of Crescent; married ———— Gray, and had issue.
- Daniel, see forward.
- Dora (Dolly), married Jeremiah Van Der Woert, both deceased, leaving daughters, Matilda and Mattie.
- Elizabeth (Bessie), married Thomas Wonderford and left issue.
(II) Daniel, son of Isaac and ———— (Sickler) Shear, was born in Half Moon, Saratoga county, New York, February 14, 1826, died there February 1, 1899. He was educated in the public schools, grew up on the farm, and became a farmer on his own account, to which business he added that of quarryman. In early life he was a Democrat, but in 1860 joined the Republican party, to which he ever afterward adhered. He married, January 8, 1854, Caroline Streeter, born March 12, 1836, died February 4, 1868. Both she and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Children:
- Albert, see forward.
- Edward A., born October 20, 1857; married, in Crescent, Emma Snyder, born in 1862; they are now (1910) living a retired life in Crescent, New York; children: Stella, Clara, Amelia, Grace.
- DeWitt Clinton, born March 6, 1866, died 1901; married Evaline Marcelis; children: Anna, Virgil, De Witt Clinton (2).
(III) Albert, eldest son of Daniel and Caroline (Streeter) Shear, was born in the town of Half Moon, Saratoga county, New York, March 24, 1855. He was educated in the public schools and in early manhood became engaged in the stone business as quarryman and dealer. He developed a business of large proportions and shipped both by water and rail great quantities of stone for building and other purposes. He conducted the business at Crescent until 1884, when he removed to Schenectady and made that his residence and business headquarters. He contributed to the prosperity of that city by the erection of several buildings, notably the Crescent Hotel, which he still owns and leases. He is a very successful business man and has also borne his share of public responsibility. He is a Republican in politics and served as alderman from his ward for thirteen years. He is a member of St. George's Lodge, chapter, and commandery, of the Masonic order, and of Oriental Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Troy. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of the Mohawk Club, Schenectady. He married, in Half Moon, April 19, 1874, Iva J. Snyder, born in that town, May 31, 1857, daughter of John and Serena Snyder, who were both born in Saratoga county, where they died in middle age. John Snyder was the son of Christopher Snyder, of Holland Dutch ancestry, died at the age of seventy-five years; he married Debora Sickler, who died at the age of eighty-four years. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Children of Albert and Iva J. (Snyder) Shear:
- Bertie, born January 4, 1875, died the same year.
- Cilley, born September 2, 1877, died January 2, 1880.
- Charles W., born August 11, 1878, resides at home and is a stone dealer.
- An infant, born and died December 29, 1880.
- Eva Alice, born January 29, 1882; married J. Leonard Van Tassel, a farmer of the town of Scotia, Schenectady county, New York, and has
- Iva Florence, born November, 1906, and
- Dorothy Bell, born June, 1910.
- Maud, born January 24, 1884; married Charles Van Schaick, of Schenectady.
- Bessie Sickler, born August 6, 1886; resides at home.
- Dudley F., born February 14, 1890; at home.
- Ethel, born October 22, 1892, died April, 1893.