Sherman, Frederick W. 1806-1887

SHERMAN, SEVERANCE, LEACH, PIERCE, DODGE

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 7/22/2017 at 18:52:26

But a few short weeks ago we announced the fact that F.W. Sherman of this place had just completed his 80th year, and that he bid fair to live among us for many years to come, and now we are called to announce his death. Alas, how little we know how soon we are to be called to the other shore.

On Sunday morning, January 2nd, 1887, Mr. Sherman arose about the usual hour, and after partaking of a light breakfast, sat down by the stove, and after a few words of conversation with his daughter, Mrs. J.M. Leach, with whom he was living, he was stricken with paralysis, and before medical aid could be procured, had breathed his last. The immediate cause of the paralytic stroke was excitement occasioned by the fatal accident the evening before.

Mr. Sherman was born in Essex, Essex county, New York, Dec. 8th, 1806, and was therefore 80 years and 25 days of age at the time of his death. On June 30th, 1830, he was married to Miss Minerva B. Severence, a native of Windsor, Vermont.

By her he had twelve children, six boys and six girls, of whom but four survive him. Those living are Mrs. J.M. Leach, Elkader; Theodore Sherman, Monona; Mrs. R.E. Pierce, Sioux City, and Mrs. John S. Dodge, of Minneapolis.

His wife died at Monona, Iowa, May 7th, 1858. Shortly after his marriage in 1830, he moved to Buffalo, New York, where he worked at his trade of millwright and ship carpenter for a number of years. While living at this place he assisted in the construction of one of the first steam boats that ever ran on Lake Erie.

He afterwards removed to Cataraugus county, N.Y., and in September 1853, came to Clayton county, locating at Monona, where he resided until 1883 when he came to Elkader to reside with the family of J.M. Leach, at whose residence he died.

For many years after coming to this county, he followed his trade of millwright and worked on many mills in northeastern Iowa.

Mr. Sherman was the youngest of a family of six children, and survived them all. They all lived to a ripe old age, his last surviving brother dying in 1882, at the advanced age of 84 years. Uncle Fred as he was familiarly called was well liked by all who knew him, and his many old friends in Elkader and elsewhere will sincerely mourn his death.

The funeral occurred on Tuesday, his remains being laid to their final rest beside those of his wife in the Monona cemetery.

His long and useful life has ended and he has gone to a better land, where the ills and sorrows of this life are unknown. Peace be to his ashes!

~Elkader Weekly Register, Thursday, January 6, 1887