Edward Shearson (born August 13, 1864 - died October 30, 1950) was a banker, millionaire and founder of Shearson, Hammill & Co., which was among the largest brokerage and investment banking firms in the United States.
Shearson, who was raised in Ontario, Canada began his career as an auditor for the Wisconsin Central Railroad before taking a position in the steel industry in 1898. Before forming Shearson, Hammill & Co. with Caleb Wild Hammill in 1902, Shearson had served as comptroller of U.S. Steel and of Federal Steel Company before that. Shearson was an active member of New York society.[1]
Shearson, Hammill merged with Hayden Stone, Inc. in 1974 and the combined firm was named Shearson Hayden Stone, retaining Shearson's name, which was widely recognized as a major underwriter and brokerage.[2]
The Shearson name was finally abandoned in 1994 following Primerica's acquisition of Shearson from American Express. Although initially Primerica had intended to brand its retail brokerage business as Smith Barney Shearson, the Shearson name was dropped.[3]
Shearson married Flora Josephine Shea on November 14, 1903. The couple resided on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and kept a house in Greenwich, Connecticut.[4]