SHERMAN, THOMAS CALLISTUS

SHERMAN, WHITE, LANTRY

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/29/2003 at 19:59:59

Biography reproduced from page 728 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Thomas Callistus Sherman has a wide acquaintance in Kossuth county, where for many years he was identified with banking interests. Since the first of May, 1912, he has been in charge, at Minneapolis, Minnesota, of the right of way for the double track work on the Hastings and Dakota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. He still has various interests in Iowa, however, and numbers among the residents of Kossuth county many warm friends. He was born January 21, 1867, on a farm near Humboldt, in Humboldt county, Iowa, his parents being Edward and Sarah C. (White) Sherman. The father, born in Ireland, was reared in Kentucky and is now living in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The mother, a native of Maine, came to this state with her parents in 1854 and passed away October 23, 1900.

Thomas C. Sherman attended the common schools of his native county and also the Humboldt Academy. He took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm work until 1890, when thinking to find other pursuits more congenial and profitable he entered the Bank of Livermore, at Livermore, Iowa, to learn the business. He afterward went to Bancroft, Kossuth county, as bookkeeper in the State Bank of Bancroft, and his ability there won him promotion to the position of assistant cashier in May, 1892, while in May, 1895, he was made cashier. The institution was converted into the First National Bank, of which he remained cashier until May 1, 1907, so that his identification with banking interests of Kossuth county covered about sixteen years, in which time he became widely and favorably known. In 1906, however, he accepted employment as right-of-way agent by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company and served that corporation in connection with the main line from the eastern boundary of Montana to a point near the Mussell Shell river. He became assistant secretary of the railway company May 1, 1907, and continued in that position until January 1, 1912. On the first of May following he removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to take charge of the right of way for the double tract work on the Hastings and Dakota division and continues in that responsible position to the present time. In railway circles, as in his banking connections, he has gradually and continuously worked his way upward, his ability, fidelity and enterprise carrying him into important relations. He still figures prominently in financial circles, for his investments have been made in the banking business and he is now vice president of the First National Bank of Lemmon, South Dakota, and of the First National Bank of Maskintosh, that state. He is also a director in the Ringsted State Bank of Ringsted, Iowa; in the State Bank of Swea City, Iowa; the First National Bank of Bancroft, Iowa; and the Gall State Bank, of Wakpala, South Dakota. He is well informed concerning financial problems and keeps in touch with the important questions affecting the money interests of the country.

On the 14th of June, 1899, in Algona, Iowa, Mr. Sherman was married to Miss Eva A. Lantry, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Lantry. They have three children: Edward Lantry, Dorothy Eva and Richard Thomas, aged respectively twelve, nine and six years. The family hold to the Catholic faith and Mr. Sherman gives his political allegiance usually to the democratic party but supported the progressive republican movement in its early days. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus, and something more of the nature of his interests is found in the fact that he belongs to the Wisconsin Archaeological Society and to the Antelope Valley Club of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The varied nature of his interests and activities has brought him a wide acquaintance and wherever he is known he enjoys the high regard and good-will of those with whom he has come in contact.