John C. Sherwin is a native of Ohio, but removed with his parents during his youth to [LaCrosse] Wisconsin, in the fall of the same year, where he acquired an excellent common school education and also a high school course at La Crosse. He then attended Beloit College for about one-half the college course, and then attended Ripon College for the remainder of the course. His full and thorough education was acquired under such circumstances as to make the same most profitable to him. For where a student is forced to supply the financial means for acquiring an education, such education and its opportunities are more fully and better appreciated. After concluded his preparatory and literary courses, he entered the law department of the Wisconsin State University, Madison, Wisconsin, from which he graduated in June of 1876 and was admitted to the bar.

He opened an office and entered upon the practice at Chippewa Falls, and after continuing there for a year or more, he removed to Mason City, Iowa, where he opened a law office and commenced the practice of the law. He continued the practice there until called by his fellow citizens for the discharge of public duties in the same line. Mr. Sherwin, as a practitioner of the law, has always been a most diligent student and hard worker, giving his cases all the time and study requisite to a complete knowledge of them and to acquiring the means of presenting them to the court in the most advantageous way. This uniform, close and exhaustive attention to and investigation of his cases gained for him a reputation, bringing to him much business, and aiding in his growth and development. His experience and success in these methods lend added verity to the expression that hard work is the only reliable genius; and this is doubtless true in every avenue of life's employment.

In 1885 Mr. Sherwin was elected district attorney of [the twelfth] judicial district and served faithfully and successfully for the one full term. The next year, after concluding his service in that office and in September, 1888, Mr. Sherwin was appointed judge of the district court to fill a vacancy on that bench and at once entered upon the duties of his office. After serving the balance of the term to which he was appointed and elected, his services were so thoroughly appreciated and acceptable as that he was twice re-elected to the same position. His services at the bar, and the thoroughness of his preparation for those duties of the bench and it is not strange, in view of his history at the bar that his services on the bench were so fully acceptable. He continued on the district bench and resigned that position in order to accept the position he now holds as judge of the supreme court, having been elected in 1899 on the Republican ticket, and assuming the duties of that office beginning January 1, 1900. He has served one full term and was re-elected in November of 1906 to another full term. As judge of the Supreme Court, Mr. Sherwin has shown the same characteristics of close and persistent study and investigation of cases which he manifested at the bar and also on the district bench. His opinions show most manifestly a disposition to give due care and considerate treatment to the questions presented, and his line of treatment and reasoning leads him to a just and legal conclusion. His opinions, like his personal bearing, are practical and free from ostentation, and yet pursue a natural and reasonable course to the goal he desires to reach. He is a conscientious, upright, faithful and impartial judge.

At the January term, 1900, the case of Zook v. Thompson was decided by the supreme court. The opinion therein was written by Sherwin, Justice.

Transcriber's Note: Justice Sherwin was born on Feb. 6, 1851 in Berlin, Ohio. After retiring from the court, he continued to reside in Mason City, where he died Feb. 3, 1919. He is buried at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

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