Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 233

MAJ. JOHN SHERFEY, deceased, was one of the leading citizens of this county, and resided on section 21, Sweetland Township. He was born in Pennsylvania, near the famous Gettysburg battle-ground, where he grew to manhood. After reaching his majority he went to Baltimore, Md., where he afterward engaged in some wholesale business for a short time, after which he sailed to the Island of Jamaica, to superintend a cargo. He there remained until he had disposed of his goods, enjoying all the luxuries of the Southern gentry, and was on that island when the news reached him that the slaves of Jamaica, by a decree of England, had been freed. Returning to his home he later emigrated to LaFayette, Ind., being accompanied by his brother Solomon, and there engaged in the mercantile and milling business. He was very successful in that State, and accumulated considerable property. In 1837 he became one of the pioneers of Iowa, locating in Wyoming, Muscatine County, where he followed the same line of work in which he was engaged in Indiana. While in that village he was commissioned Postmaster under the administration of Gen. Jackson, and continued to hold that office for several years. After three years' residence in Wyoming, Mr. Sherfey removed to the farm in Sweetland Township, which continued to be his home until his death, which occurred Feb. 12, 1871. The farm now comprises 388 acres of arable land in a fine state of cultivation, and is regarded as the best stock farm in the county. The cattle, horses and hogs are all of the best grades, and the barns and other out-buildings which shelter them from the winter's storms are models of convenience.

On the 21st of March, 1837, Maj. Sherfey, was united in marriage with Miss P. A. Adams, a native of Ross County, Ohio, and daughter of Robert B. and Patience (Hall) Adams, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Trenton, N. J. In her school days for about a year Mrs. Sherfey attended a school taught by Allan G. Thurman, the late candidate for the Vice Presidency on the Democratic ticket. Six children grace the union of this worthy couple, all of whom are living: Virginia E., born in 1839, was educated at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, is now married, and resides in Washington County, Iowa; Georgie M., born in 1841, is married and resides in Chicago, where she was living during the time of the great fire in 1871; Niles, born in 1843, is now residing at home; Alice M., born in 1846, is the wife of James Graham, a resident of Chicago; Lou C., born in 1851, is a very accomplished lady, was educated in a convent at Davenport and is now the wife of A. E. Van Camp, of Highmore, Dak.; Eldridge R., born in 1855, is an accomplished scholar, a graduate of Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, and also of the Commercial School at Davenport. The children of this family have all received splendid educational advantages, and are capable of filling the most responsible positions.

For several years Maj. Sherfey served as County Surveyor, during which time he laid out many of the public roads of the county. He was for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contributed largely to the building of Oakdale Church, which was afterward moved to the northern part of the county, and is now called North Prairie Church. He was appointed Major of the 1st Iowa Militia by Gov. Dodge, and discharged the duties of that office faithfully and promptly.

Maj. Sherfey was a man well informed on all the issues of the day, and was always regarded as one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the county. He gave liberally of his means in support of any enterprise which had for its object the good of the community, and was universally respected by all with whom business or social relations brought him in contact. His death was universally mourned by family and friends alike.


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