Sherman township was established April 5, 1880. It was named after General William T Sherman. Prior to organization it belonged to Des Moines township until September 5, 1876 when it was attached to Washington township. It is township 92, range 33.
The township is near the center of Pocahontas county and the land is a beautiful prarie. The county seat, Pocahontas, extends over part of section 36. The town of Ware was located in section 17 near the center of the township.
Sherman township was settled at the same time as Washington township by the families of James C Strong, Jason N Russell and his brother-in-law, and Jonathon L Clark, his wife and three children. These families are expanded upon in the Washington township history.
In 1871 John N Russell built the first cabin in Sherman township. It was in the NE 1/4 of section 5. He was later joined by his brother Harvey S Russell who lived with John for a year and a half. John and Harvey's brother Morah F Russell and his wife arrived in 1872 and built the first dwelling house in the sw 1/4 of section 4.
In 1873 new residents of the township were Maggie Hamble, who became the bride of John N Russell and Mr and Mrs John Sic, who were from Bohemia. They built a sod shanty in the southeast part of the township.
Residents of this part of the township were 18 miles from the nearest town, which was Fonda. On the trip to Fonda, the home of A T Omtvedt was usually the only one encountered by the settlers.
Early Settlers and Residents
Those who arrived in 1875
- Barnes, Jeremiah - born in Pennsylvania in 1814, and located on section 8.
The 1880 census lists the family as follows:
- Jeremiah age-66 born-Pennsylvania occupation-farmer Parents born-Pennsylvania
- Margaret age-61 born-Pennsylvania occupation-keeping house Parents born-Ireland
- Sarah J-daughter age 20 born-Pennslvania occupation-not noted
- R Milton-son age-23 born-Pennsylvania occupation-farm laborer
- Elizabeth M-daughter age-19 born-Pennsylvania occupation-not noted
- Smith, Aaron - born in New York (or Canada) 1816. He located in section 3.
The 1880 census lists them as follows:
- Aaron age-63 born-Canada occupation-farmer Parents born-Canada
- Mary H age-63 born-New Jersey occupation-keeping house Parents born-not noted
- Mathilda-daughter age-17 born-Iowa occupation-not noted
Those who arrived in 1878
- Hudek, Anthony - section 25
From the 1880 US census:
- Anthony age-27 born-Bohemia occupation-farmer Parents born-Bohemia
- Mary age-17 born-Bohemia occupation-keeping house Parents born-Bohemia
- Hudek, Joseph - section 25
From the 1880 US Census:
- Joseph age-32 born-Bohemia occupation-farmer Parents born-Bohemia
- Helena age-19 born-Bohemia occupation-keeping house Parents born-Bohemia
- Josephine-daughter age-1 born-Iowa
- Baby Hudek-son age-1 month born-Iowa
- Rohls, Barney-other age-26 born-Bohemia occupation-farmer Parents born-Bohemia
- Kopriva, John - section 36
From the 1880 US Census:
- John age-28 born-Bohemia Occupation-farmer Parents born-Bohemia
- Annie age-20 born-Bohemia occupation-keeping house Parents born-Bohemia
- Mary-daughter age-1 born-Iowa
- Baby Kopriva-son age-1 month born-Iowa
Those who arrived in 1879
- Alchon, C F
- Carson, James W
From the 1880 US Census
- James W age-41 born-Ohio Occupation-farmer Parents born-Pennsylvania
- Mary age-27 born-Pennsylvania Occupation-keeping house Parents born-Pennsylvania
- Hiram E-son age-16 born-Ohio Occupation-farm laborer
- Harriet E-daughter age-14 born-Ohio Occupation-at home
- Myrta M-daughter age-3 born-Iowa
- Robert F-son age-1 born-Iowa
Those who arrived in 1880
- Jones, R C
- Starkey, W B
- Stover, A J
Those who arrived in 1881
- Griffith, B T
- Mills, G W
- Mills, J W
- O'Brien, J W
Those who arrived in 1882
- Adams, John H
- Barningham, Thomas
Those who arrived in 1883
- Bloudel, Joseph
- Boyeson, Boy C
- Flint, C L
Some of the others who followed, probably 1884-1900
- Clifton, Reverend C W
- Coville, C M
- Doty, C M
- Eno, J H
- Gilchrist, Clel
- Gilchrist, Fred
- Gilchrist, James C
- McCaslin, R R
- Olson, Thomas M
- Stacy, Frank
- Stover, Jacob S
- Stover, Martin L
- Tychsen, Hans
- Wonderlich, A J
Information transcribed, compiled and arranged by Tim Meyer, copyright 2003 - 2004
