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         JOHN M. HERRICK, Postmaster at Wapello, Iowa, was born at Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., July 16, 1819, and is the son of John C. and Catharine (Van Schaick) Herrick. His father, who was born at Flatbush, N. Y., was of English descent, and a farmer by occupation. He was a solider of the War of 1812, and partici- . . .

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. . . pated in the battle of Sackett’s Harbor. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a patriot soldier of the War of the Revolution, and served under Washington. Mr. Herrick’s mother was of Holland origin, and her ancestors, the Van Schaicks, were of the old Knickerbocker stock, who peopled Eastern New York in the early history of the country. The family was noted for its longevity, Mrs. Van Schaick, the maternal grandmother of our subject, having lived to the advanced age of one hundred and four years. Of her three sons and three daughters now living, the eldest is ninety and the youngest seventy-two years of age.

John M. Herrick lost his mother in childhood, and the father marrying again, the family removed in 1863 to Fayette County, Ohio, and settled on a farm. Our subject, then seventeen years of age, was employed in the usual hard work of the timbered farm in a new country, receiving his education at the public schools.

On the 21st of October, 1847, Mr. Herrick was united in marriage with Miss Emeline Sexton, a daughter of William Sexton, of Washington, Fayette Co., Ohio. Mrs. Herrick was born in Virginia, and removed with her parents to Fayette County in childhood.

The following year, 1848, Mr. Herrick emigrated to Iowa, being accompanied by his father, step-mother, and brother David W. He purchased a farm near the southern limits of Wapello, Louisa County, of eighty acres, where he has made his home ever since. A portion of his farm, with his residence, lies within the city limits, and has become valuable property. His father was engaged in farming, and died in 1854. He was a Democrat in politics, and a strong Universalist in religious faith.

Mr. and Mrs. Herrick are the parents of six children, four of whom are living, two sons and two daughters; two were lost in childhood: John Walter married Miss Martha Williams, and resides at Wapello, being employed as a traveling salesman for the wholesale grocery house of John Blaul & Sons, of Burlington, Iowa; William Curran wedded Miss Josephine House, is also a resident of Wapello, and is employed as a traveling salesman for Forbes’ wholesale tea house, of St. Louis; Emma is the wife of Harvey Rice, of Jefferson County, N. Y.; Brigham died at the age of two and a half years; Carrie is the wife of Dr. Charles E. Hoag, of Nevada, Story Co., Iowa; Maurice, the youngest, died at the age of five years.

Mr. Herrick is a Democrat of the “Old Hickory” style, and has always voted with that party. His politics have not been conducive to office-holding in Iowa, generally speaking, but he was Mayor of Wapello one term, and several times was elected to the School Board. He was appointed Postmaster at Wapello by President Cleveland, and entered upon the duties of the office in January, 1887. Mr. Herrick makes an efficient and accommodating official, and is prompt and correct in the discharge of his duties. He is a member of Louisa Lodge No., 19, I. O. O. F., and was initiated into the order at Wapello in 1853, being now one of the oldest remaining members of that lodge. Mr. Herrick is a man of sterling integrity, courteous and affable in manner, and after a residence of over forty years in this community, enjoys as he deserves the respect and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.