The twelfth Governor of the State was Buren R. Sherman, who held office two terms, from 1882 to 1886. He was born in Phelps, Ontario County, New York, May 28, 1836, and is the third son of Phineas L. and Eveline (Robinson) Sherman, both of whom were natives of the Empire State.

     The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of his native place, and concluded his studies at Elmira, New York, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the English branches. At the close of his studies, acting on the advice of his father, who was a mechanic (an ax maker), he apprenticed himself to Mr. S. Ayres, of Elmira, to learn the watchmaker’s trade. In 1855, with his family, he removed to Iowa and settled upon an unbroken prairie, in what is now Geneseo Township, Tama County, where his father had purchased lands from the Government. There young Sherman labored on his father’s farm, employing his leisure hours in the study of law, which he had begun at Elmira. He also engaged as bookkeeper in a neighboring town, and with his wages assisted his parents in improving their farm. In the summer of 1859 he was admitted to the bar, and the following spring removed to Vinton, and began the practice of law with Hon. William Smyth, formerly District Judge, and J. C. Traer, conducting the business under the firm name of Smyth, Traer & Sherman.

     They built up a flourishing practice and were prospering when, upon the opening of the war, in 1861, Mr. Sherman enlisted in Company G, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and immediately went to the front. He entered the service as Second Sergeant, and in February, 1862, was made Second Lieutenant of Company E. On the 6th of April following he was very severely wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and while in the hospital was promoted to the rank of Captain. He returned to his company while yet obliged to use crutches, and remained on duty till the summer of 1863, when, by reason of his wound, he was compelled to resign and return home. Soon after returning from the army he was elected County Judge of Benton County, and re-elected without opposition in 1865. In the autumn of 1866 he resigned his judgeship and accepted the office of clerk of the District Court, to which he was re-elected in 1868, 1870 and 1872, and in December, 1874, resigned in order to accept the office of Auditor of State, to which he had been elected by a majority of 28, 425 over J. M. King, the “Anti-monopoly” candidate. In 1876 he was re-nominated and received 50,272 more votes than W. Growneweg (Democrat) and Leonard Brown (Greenback) together. In 1878 he was again chosen to represent the Republican party in that office, and this time received a majority of 7,164 over the combined votes of Colonel Eiboeck (Democrat) and G. V. Swearenger (Greenback). In the six years that he held this office, he was untiring in his faithful application to routine work and devotion to his especial share of the State’s business. He retired with such an enviable record that it was with no surprise the people learned, June 27, 1881, that he was the nominee of the Republican party for Governor.

     The campaign was an exciting one. The General Assembly had submitted to the people the prohibitory amendment to the Constitution. This, while not a partisan question, became uppermost in the mind of the public. Mr. Sherman received 133,330 votes, against 83,244 for Kinne and 28, 112 for D. M. Clark, or a plurality of 50,086 and a majority of 21,974. In 1883 he was re-nominated by the Republicans as was L. G. Kinne by the Democrats. The National party offered J. B. Weaver. During the campaign these candidates held a number of joint discussions at different points in the State. At the election the vote was: Sherman, 164, 182; Kinne, 139,093; Weaver, 23,089; Sherman’s plurality 25,089; majority, 2,000. In his second inaugural Governor Sherman said:

      “In assuming, for the second time, the office of Chief Magistrate of the State, I fully realize my grateful obligations to the people of Iowa, through whose generous confidence I am here. I am aware of the duties and grave responsibilities of this exalted position, and as well what is expected of me therein. As in the past I have given my undivided time and serious attention thereto, so in the future I promise the most earnest devotion and untiring effort in the faithful performance of my official requirements. I have seen the State grow from infancy to mature manhood, and each year one of substantial betterment of its previous position.

      “With more railroads than any other State, save two; with a school interest the grandest and strongest, which commands the support and confidence of all the people, and a population, which in its entirety is superior to any other in the sisterhood, it is not strange the pride which attaches to our people. When we remember that the results of our efforts in the direction of good government have been crowned with such magnificent success, and to-day we have a State in most perfect physical and financial condition, no wonder our hearts swell in honest pride as we contemplate the past and so confidently hope for the future. What we may become depends on our own efforts, and to that future I look with earnest and abiding confidence.”

     Governor Sherman’s term of office continued until January 14, 1886, when he was succeeded by William Larrabee, and he is now, temporarily, perhaps, enjoying a well-earned rest. He has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and his services as a campaign speaker have been for many years in great demand. As an officer he has been able to make an enviable record. Himself honorable and thorough, his management of public business has been of the same character, and such as he has commended him to the hearty approval of the citizens of the State.

     He was married August 20, 1862, to Miss Lena Kendall, of Vinton, Iowa, a young lady of rare accomplishments and strength of character. The union has been happy in every respect. They have two children — Lena Kendall and Oscar Eugene.

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