Henry Bordman Sherod (1861-1934)

BALES, BARKER, IRVINE, JACKSON, MURPHY, PRICE, SHEROD, SYFERT, TAYLOR, TOPPING

Posted By: Volunteer Paul French
Date: 1/25/2006 at 20:55:23

Henry Bordman Sherod

Henry Bordman, son of William N. and Hannah Barker, was born February 16, 1861, near Mt. Zion, Iowa, and passed away at his home near that place on October 11, 1934, at the age of 78 years, 7 months and 23 days.

He was about two years of age when his mother died and from this time on he was tenderly cared for by his grandmother Sherod and his stepmother, of whom he often said, “She gave me the same love and care that she gave to her own children.”

After attending the public schools he completed his education in the Birmingham Academy.

At the age of eighteen he united with the Presbyterian church of Mt. Zion, where he retained his membership and gave his services throughout his entire life.

He was married on Dec. 29, 1888, to Maggie W. Taylor. To them were born four daughters: Grace W. Sherod, Blanche E. Murphy, Margaret E. Price, and one who died in infancy.

His life was spent in the one community where for twenty-three years he faithfully performed the duties of a rural mail carrier, retiring four years ago. By his loyal service to the people on his route, he built life long and valued friendships.

During his recent illness he was patient and pleasant and much enjoyed the visits of his many relatives and friends. He had been bedfast since August 25, 1933.

He is survived by his widow Maggie W. Sherod; daughters Grace W., Blanche E. Murphy, Margaret E. Price; aunt Mrs. Theresa Sherod; two half brothers, Amos of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Clayton D. of Kilbourne; four half sisters, Mrs. Zade Jackson, Mrs. Mary Syfert, Mrs. Sena Topping of Birmingham; Mrs. Ella Forbes Bales of Azusa, Cal.

He was preceded in death by his mother in 1863, father in 1909, step-mother in 1921, brother Joseph in 1860, sister Ethelinda in 1852, half-brother Charles in 1896.

He will be missed not only by his family to whom he was a loving husband, as well as a kind and indulgent father, but by a multitude of friends and relatives who knew his honesty and straight forwardness.

The funeral service was conducted in the Mt. Zion Presbyterian church by the pastor, Rev. H. C. Irvine, on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock, using the same scripture text as that chosen for his father twenty-five years previously. The interment was in the Miller Chapel cemetery.

Source: undated newspaper clipping with no source cited contained in “Family History” of the Barker, Sherod, and Forbes families and descendants compiled by Bernadine Forbes Clark, December 1980.