Sherman, Henry 1832-1920

SHERMAN, DURKEE, WHEELOCK, DUDLEY, RUTHERFORD, THOMSON, VOGT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 1/29/2011 at 17:13:28

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Nov. 30, 1920

A CHESTER PIONEER'S USEFUL LIFE

Henry Sherman, Pioneer, Long Identified With All Useful Movements in Chester

HAD RESIDED ON SAME FARM SIXTY-FOUR YEARS

Had Seen Chester Grow From a Raw Prairie to Richest Farming Community in Large Section

When Henry Sherman died on the night of Sunday, Nov. 20, at his home in Chester, there passed away one of Iowa's real pioneers, a man who had lived sixty-seven years in Iowa, sixty-four in Chester and over sixty-three years on the farm--the Old Homestead--which was the scene of his death.

Mr. Sherman was born at Croydon, N.H., Sept. 10, 1832, and so had reached the age of 88 years, 2 months and 11 days.

The Sherman family trace their ancestors back to Germany. They, centuries ago, migrated to England. Capt. John Sherman, to whom the Chester family trace their descent was born in Essex Co., England, in 1613, and in 1634, aged 21, came to this country and located at Watertown, Mass. His descendants number among a list of honored and useful men, the names of Senator Hoar of Michigan, Senator Depew of New York and Governor Buren R. Sherman of Iowa. Among the descendants of Captain John Sherman, a title he earned in King Philip's War, was Sergeant Jason Sherman, who was a Revoluntionary soldier. Jason Sherman was the father of William Sherman who moved to Croydon, N.H., in 1799. He in turn was the father of William Sherman, who was born on Christmas day, 1801. He married Mahala Durkee. To them were born five children, all of whom moved to Grinnell.

In 1849 the family moved to Carthage, Ill., and in 1853 to Lyons, Iowa. In 1854 the family at Lyons were induced by Rev. Job Cushman to purchase eight hundred acres of land in Chester township in this county. Wm. Sherman came here soon after to see the land and purchased more Chester soil. In Sept. 1856, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Sherman, Mr. and Mrs. Newton Sherman, Henry Sherman and Harrison Wheelock came to Chester and all lived in the same house on the farm now owned by Alden Dempster.

Henry Sherman soon returned to his native state and on Mar. 24, 1857, was married to Almira Dudley of Newport, N.H. May 18 he returned with her to the Chester farm and built at once a home for the young bride, and here during this long period of sixty-three years he had lived. To this marriage three children were born, Mrs. Fannie Sherman Rutherford and Hon. Ralph Sherman now living and Elmer who died in infancy.

In the long, interesting and progressive history of Chester Henry Sherman has had an active part. He voted at the first election held in the township, which was organized Oct. 22, 18??. He and his wife were charter members of the Chester Congregational church organized June 15, 1865, with sixteen members. He has been one of the most active members of the church and for long years was a deacon and trustee.

Politically Mr. Sherman has been honored as trustee of Chester township and as a member of the board of supervisors of Poweshiek county. He has always been regarded as a man of rare judgment, of highest character, and great diligence and he gave the township and the county the best possible service in the various capacities in which he served them.

The early settlers of Chester brought to it men and women of Christian character, of high ideals, with a strong love for good schools, and a desire to bring their children up to love education and to strive for the best in everything. Of all these historic families who have left an impress on Chester, none stood higher, and none gave more to advance their ideals than Mr. and Henry Sherman. The home was always a home of culture and Christian living where peace and joy reigned and good literature was abundant.

The funeral was held at the home at two o'clock Wednesday, Nov. 23, conducted by Rev. H.L. Wissler, now of Gilbert, Iowa, a former pastor, who held supreme all a pastor's love for a man who served his church with diligence and used his strength to advance his pastor's ideals. The address was from Timothy, "I have fought a good fight," and with all the zeal that love and esteem could command the speaker paid the highest possible tribute to the manly character, the Christian service and sacrificing spirit of the man who had laid down the burden of life, full of years and rich in enjoyment of friends who loved him for himself.

Songs were sung by Mrs. George Trumbel and Mrs. May Stahl Sears, Mrs. George Hafkey assisting at the piano.

The bearers were five nephews Frank Wheelock of Estherville, W.H. Wheelock of Grinnell, Dr. A.M. Sherman and Frank Sherman of Altoona, Geo. Thomson of Chester, and a grandson-in-law, Clarence Vogt of Grinnell.

A large company of friends were present to pay their final tribute of love to the memory of the deceased man. Interment was in the Chester cemetery.

The writer has known Henry Sherman over a period of forty years. His kind, genial calm disposition coupled with real energy and a broad intelligence have always impressed those who knew him with the feeling that here was one of nature's gentlemen. Always faithful to the duties of the day, he not only improved the farm he bought as a raw prairie, but he also found time to serve as a builder of society, to aid in the development of the schools, and to inspire young men and women to love higher things. His home was a home of culture, his life was a life of service and now that he has laid him down to his final sleep the memory of a noble man, a leader and a beautiful example of service and Christian living will long remain in the community he helped to build and whose progressive ideals he helped to foster.