My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Hickory County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Newton B. Sherman, one of the prominent citizens of Hickory County, Mo., was born at Palmyra, N. Y., November 30, 1826, and is one of the thorough-going, enterprising men of that county His parent, Merritt and Emily M. (Rich) Sherman, were natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively. The paternal grandfather, John Sherman, was a native of Rhode Island, and was a farmer by occupation, and a lawyer by profession His son, Merritt Sherman, was a farmer, but also carried on merchandising on the Erie Canal for twenty-five years; in fact, was the first to run a merchant boat on that canal, and at this was very successful. During the great financial crash in the forties, he lost heavily. He filled various offices of trust in Wayne County, N. Y., and in 1848 moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and there resided five years. He then moved to Lenawee County, Mich., where he resided for a time, and then moved to Hillsdale County, where he died in 1880 at the age of eighty-one years. He married Miss Rich in Wayne County, N. Y., and she is now living in Hillsdale County, Mich., and was eighty-eight years of age on January 25 last. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren number ninety. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she is now a member of that church. Mr. Sherman was formerly a Whig in politics, but, after the Republican party came into existence, he joined that party. The Sherman family are supposed to be descendants of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Newton B. Sherman received his education at Palmyra, N. Y., and finished in Marion Academy, in Wayne County, N. Y. He remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age part of the time assisting his father in the mercantile business on the Erie Canal. After leaving his parents, he turned his attention to trading in stock, driving them West, and as a stock merchant he was very successful. During this time he was also engaged in teaching school in various parts of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. He made his home near Cleveland until 1854 when he moved to Lenawee County, Mich., and there rested thirteen years, or until 1867. He then moved to Missouri, locating in Hickory County, and there he has since remained. While in Michigan he was engaged in farming and stock raising, which has been his principal occupation since coming to Missouri. Also while living in that State, he was elected by Republicans to the position of collector and treasurer of the county and served one term. He also, at different times, held minor offices in the county. October 17,1852, he married Miss Sarah Hilliar, a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio born fourteen miles from Cleveland, February 13, 1835, and a daughter of John Hilliar. Five children were born to this union, four sons living, viz.: Clarence E., John M.; Orlena, born January 15, 1858, and died November 3, 1878; George N., and Henry J. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman are members of the Christian Church, and are much-esteemed citizens. He has held the position of elder in the church for many years. In his political views, he affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. Sherman is now in charge of the business, in Hickory County, of J. D. Cook, who resides in Southern California. He was recently elected mayor of Wheatland.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 53 biographies included in The History of Hickory County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Hickory County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Hickory County, Missouri family biographies here: Hickory County, Missouri

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.