John Steer (merchant)

John Steer (1824 – 1918) was an English-born merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Trinity Bay in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1873 to 1878 as a Conservative.

He was born in Torquay, Devon and came to Newfoundland as an infant. He first worked as a dry goods clerk. Steer married Amelia, the sister of Charles R. Ayre. He worked in partnership with his brother-in-law from 1844 to 1858 and then opened his own dry goods store.

His son Francis Henry Steer later served in the Newfoundland legislative council.

References

• Smallwood, Joseph R (1994). Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. Vol. v. 5. p. 200. ISBN 0-9693422-5-X.