Henry Shimer (September 21, 1828 – July 28, 1895) was a naturalist and physician in Mount Carroll, Illinois. He was also a teacher at the Mount Carroll Seminary, which later became Shimer College; he was the husband of the seminary's founder, Frances Shimer.
Shimer was born on September 21, 1828, in West Vincent Township, Pennsylvania. [1] He worked as a stone mason in his youth and took up teaching at the age of 18. [2]
In March 1854, Shimer left Pennsylvania and traveled west to Mount Carroll, Illinois after a failed love affair. [2] [3] He may have done work on the construction or expansion of the Mount Carroll Seminary, for which the owners were unable to pay him. [4]
On December 22, 1857, Shimer and Frances Ann Wood, the co-principal of the Mount Carroll Seminary, were married. [2] Their union was widely reputed to be a marriage of convenience. [3] [4]
Shimer subsequently left for Chicago to study medicine. He graduated from the Chicago Medical College on March 1, 1866. [2] Shimer also obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago by examination. [1]
He was a prolific entomologist and published widely, describing a number of novel species and genera. [1] He also served for a time as the assistant State Entomologist of Illinois. [1] In addition, he was an expert taxidermist, and had a collection of over 1000 mounted birds. [2] His collections were provided to the seminary for educational purposes. [2]
In the 1880s, Shimer became wealthy by speculating on real estate in Iowa, allegedly inspired by a dream. [3] At the time of his death his estate was worth approximately $200,000. [3]
Shimer traveled widely within the United States, stopping along the way to work as a stone mason. He sometimes covered more than a thousand miles on foot. [2] He is said to have worn boots at all times. [3]
On July 28, 1895, [1] Henry Shimer committed suicide, either with a revolver [5] or by hanging. [3] He had amended his will five days previously to leave his entire fortune to his wife, leaving his mother and sister destitute. [3] In a highly publicized trial, the will was successfully contested. [4]