Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-01-16
SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.
ROGER SHERMAN, OF CONN.

One of the most remarkable men of the
Revolution, was RoGER SHERMAN. He
was born in Newton Massachusetts, on the
niueteenta of April, 1921. 10 1928, the fam
liy moved to Sfouington. 10 that State, " here
they lived until the death Of Rogers father,
inl74I. Roger was then only nineteen years
of age, and the whole care and support of
large family devolved on him. He had been
apprenticed 10 a shoemaker, but now took
charge Of the small farm his father had left
10 I744, they sold the farm, and moved to
New Milford, ia Connecticut, where an elder
bro her. who was married, resided. Roger
performed the journey on foot. carrying his
shoemaker's tools with him, aud for some time
he worked iudlsiriousiy at his trade there
Mr. Sherman's early education was excee-
dinghy limited, but with naturally strong
and active mind he acquired large stock of
knowledge from books during his apprentice
ship Not long after he settled in New Nh
ford ne formed partnership with his broth
er % the mercantile business, but all the while
was very studious. He turned his attention
to the study Of law during his leisure hours
and 50 proficient did he become in legal
knowledge, that he was admitted to the bar,
in December, 1854.
II 1855. Mr.. Sherman was elected a rer-
resentative of New Milford, in the General
Assembly Of Connecticut, and the same year
he vas appointed a Justice Of the Peaca-
After practising law about five years, he was
appointed Judge Of the County Court for
LuehtieId county. He moved to New Haven
( in l76I, when the same appointments were
conferred upon him, and in addition, he was
chosen treasurer Of Yale College from which
! institution, in 1865. lie received the honorary
degree of A. NJ. In I766, he was elected to
the senate, or upper house of the legislature
Of Connecticut; and it was as this time thar
! the passage Of the Stamp Act was bringing
the politicians of America to a decided stand
/ in relation to the repeated aggressions Of
/ Great Britain. Roger Sherman frullessIv
took part with the patriots, and was a leader
among them IN Connecticut, until the war
broke out. He WIS elected dei-.a.e from
+ Connecticut to the Continental Congress, IN
.
( iltl If September. He was one Of the most
active members of that body. and was ap
poi1ted one Of the Committee to prepare
drafs Of a Declaration of Independence; a
document to which he affixed his signature
with hearty good will, after it was adopted BY
Congress.
Although his duties in Congress, during
the war were almost incessaDt, yet he was at
the same time a member Of the committee Of
safety Of Connecticut In 1873 he was np-
pointed. with Judge Law, of New London.
to revise the statutes Of the State, in which
service he showed great ability. He was
delegate from Connecticut in the Coneeution
10 l787 that framed the present Cans itutron
of the United States; and he was d mem Der
OF he State Convention Of Counecticu. whicn
assembled to act upon the ratification Of that
Instrument. For TWO years after the organ
ization OF the government under the CoEsti-
tuition, he was member Of the United 5 ates
House of Representatives. He was then
promoted TO the Senate, which office hr flied
at he time Of his death, which took place ca
the twenty third Of July. 1898, ia the seven
ty-third year of ms age. He had previously
been elected Mayor Of New Haven, when 1t
was invested with city powers and privileges,
and that Office be held until he time Of ms
death.