John Steer (merchant)

Steer was born in Torquay, Devon and came to Newfoundland in 1827. He first worked as a dry goods clerk for the mercantile firm Job Brothers. Steer married Amelia, the sister of Charles R. Ayre. He worked in partnership with his brother-in-law from 1844 to 1858 before opening his own dry goods store called John Steer Ltd. Steer served in the House of Assembly for several years as a Conservative supporter of Premier Frederick Carter. His two sons, Charles Robert Steer and Francis Henry Steer, would eventually operate the family business alongside him.^[1]

Steer died in St. John's on October 26, 1918. His son Francis would later serve in the Legislative Council of Newfoundland.