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Benedict Sherman
Born October 12, 1835 |
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| Benedict Sherman, who has been a resident of Iowa for more than fifty years and seen the many changes take place that have developed this great commonwealth into the mighty state it now is, was born in Jefferson county, New York, October 12, 1835, a son of Eleazer and Nancy (Arnold) Sherman. The father was born in Oneida county, New York, while his wife was born at Watertown, Jefferson county, New York. When Benedict Sherman was ten years old the family removed to Ogle county, Illinois, and in 1855 the widowed mother brought her children to Iowa, the father having died in Illinois. She survived him for many years, living to be ninety-three and passing away December 5, 1907, at the home of our subject. The father died in 1852, aged forty- one years. They had nine children, as follows: Sarah Hammond, now deceased; Benedict; Eleazer, who died in the army having enlisted from Cedar Grove in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry; Nathan, who died when nine years old; Lydia McCormick, who lives in Nebraska; Mary James, a resident of Wyoming, this county; Jay, who lives in Anamosa; Charlotte McCormick, a resident of Olin; and Nathan, a resident of Central City, Iowa.
Benedict Sherman was seventeen years old when the family arrived in Iowa and on account of his father's death he became the head of the family and much hard work devolved on him. They located in Madison township, Jones county, where he operated a farm until 1863. In 1861, he enlisted for three years in Company B, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Donald A. Carpenter, but was taken sick and discharged for disability in February, 1862. Returning home, he continued fanning until about 1889, when he located in Olin and is now practically living retired, although he is still interested in Texas farm lands. He is a member of the Methodist church, and his social connections are with the Grand Army Post at Olin.
On August 29, 1871, Mr. Sherman married Sarah McCormick, who was born at Eleson Creek, Henderson county, Illinois, May 20, 1844, came here with her parents, John and Agnes McCormick, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Sherman was killed in a railroad accident January 16, 1895. One child was born of this union, Jenetta B., January 29, 1884, and died July 25, 1876. (See note.) On November 18, 1897, Mr. Sherman married Mrs. Ella Brainard, the widow of George Brainard. Her father, Riley Calkins, a native of New York, was a pioneer of Jones county and died in Wyoming, Iowa, in March, 1899. There is one daughter, Frances, by the second marriage. Mrs. Sherman had two children by her former marriage: Verva Brainard and Charles Brainard. Mr. Sherman has always endeavored to do what he felt was his full duty, both patriot and private citizen, and he enjoys in full measure the confidence of his fellow citizens.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 327.
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