Shearer Family
Dakota Cowboy Entrepreneurship
The Shearers have been in the cattle and horse business for over 150 years, where George Shearer was ranching in Texas in the 1800's. That's six generations of Shearer cowboys. The Shearer outfit now consists of six different operations: Calf Creek Ranch, Lavon & Dorothy Shearer, Spear U Angus Ranch, Cow Creek Ranch, Rush Lake, and just recently Cow Creek Cedar.
In 1952, "OG" Shearer moved his family to Western South Dakota, where his son "Lavon" and his 3 boys, Glendon, Greg, and Grant, are still ranching and now their children are coming back and helping.
To stay in the ranching business, Shearer Ranches have had to diversify and change with the times. Here are just some of the things offered by Shearer Ranches: Registered Angus Cattle, Commercial Angus Cattle, Quarter Horses, Horse Teams, Wagons, Hunts (deer, turkey, & pheasant), Artist Ride, Movie Work, Alfalfa Seed, and in the past couple of years Colby and Trent Shearer have started harvesting the Rocky Mountain Juniper on the Cow Creek Ranch and neighboring ranches (Cow Creek Cedar). Some is sold as raw dowels, 2" to 6", the rest is made into log furniture.
George Shearer came back home to Denton
County, Texas from the Civil War in June 1865. George had just turned 20 years
old. He started gathering wild cattle in Texas to make a living for his new
family. Some time around 1870 he bought a small bunch of cows iron branded
"TUL" branded on the left side. Shortly after that he combined the
letters into a one iron brand "
"
and used it for a road brand when he trailed cattle into Kansas for market.
Today the brand is still used for a cow and horse brand by Lavon Shearer. When
Colby and Trent started Cow Creek Cedar they needed a mark for the new company,
it seemed that there was only one choice. Use the old family brand. When you see
the "
"
on a piece of furniture you will know the it is a Cow Creek Cedar original.
Cow Creek Team
Glendon & Pam Shearer bought Cow Creek Ranch in 1975 and have raised their 3 children, Colby, Kayla and Trent, in the ranching business.
When
Colby is not helping on Cow
Creek with the pheasant hunting, cutting posts for furniture, or building
furniture himself, he does some work in movies and commercials. 
Such
as "The Postman", "Ride With The Devil",
"Crazy Horse", and numerous historical documentaries. He lives on
our ranch with his wife, Meghan, and two daughters, Kellyn and Terryn.
Kayla is now working as a Radiation Technician, in Philip, SD, and lives near Milesville, ranching with her husband Jim Eymer. They also supply us with cedar timber.
Trent
is in charge of the furniture and railing operation. The time he spent working
for a log home company has turned out to be very useful.
Trent rides colts and ropes a little. He also has moved back to the ranch.
Trents wife Betsy has jumped in to the
operation with both feet, working cattle, and
working in the shop with Trent.
Levi Hapney - A super good hand to have around. Levi rides Saddle Broncs and ropes calves when he can. When rodeo cowboys are not on the road they have jobs at home to be able to get to the next rodeo. We are glad to have him.
Wyatt Volmer - Another good hand to have around. Wyatt has a 4 day work week, so on his off days he works here part time. Thanks Wyatt.
Glendon & Pam stay busy taking care of the cattle business, hunting and the cedar company. God has blessed our lives, allowing us to do what we want and have fun doing it. May God bless you in abundance and hope to see you here.
Badlands Invitational Bronc Ride 2007
Read more of Shearer's Cow Creek: Article
by Lura Roti
Article
by Codi Vallery
Dakota Cowboy Entrepreneurship