Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-12-03
One of LOuisvill's Most Progress
sive and Public Spirited
Citizens.
Was the BenefactOr and Friend
of Many Struggling Boys
and Girls.
HIS GREAT CHARITY WILL BE MISSED

No death announcement of the past
year was received with more genuine sor-
row than that of Mr.. Thomas II. Sherley,
who died suddenly Tuesday morning of
paralysis of the heart, at his residence,
2O7 West Breckenridge street. He had
been suffering from cold and had been
confined to his home for several days.
He was much improved Monday night,
however, and entertained several friends
who called until late hour. He was
advised by his physician that he could
go to his Office Tuesday morning
Death came suddenly. Mr.. Sherley
was surrounded by the members of his
family, and was sitting in his armchair
when the end came.
The announcement of Mr.. Sherley's
death was a shock to the community. No
man i'll Louisville was better known than
he. and no man had devoted more of his
time and attention to the city's interests.
Sorrowing friends from all walks of life
called at the residence previous to the
funeral to pay their respects to the be-
reaved family.
Mr.. Sherley's death is loss to Louis
vile. For years he was identified with
every movement in behalf of the city and
State. He was man of wonderful ell
terprise and industry and discharged the
many duties of trust imposed in him with
credit to himself and the Office. His
sound judgment was always sought. In
his own business he was an acknowledged
leader, and in many other capacities he
showed the possession of an executive
ability which always singled him out as
an important factor in big undertakings.
No man was more charitable or more
quiet about his good deeds than Mr..
Sherley. He was generous to fault
when any one appeared to be in need.
Some years ago Mr.. T. ]. Batman, who
was in more confidential relations with
the senior member of the firm than per-
haps any other person outside of Mr..
Sherley's family, opened up charity
account without Mr.. Sherley's knowl-
edge. He was able to keep a record only
of that money which he knew to have
been donated to charity, while much
more money went the same way that he
never knew anything about. After Mr..
Batman had been keeping the account
for about year Mr.. Sherley in looking
over the books one day ran across the
items.
whats this?' he asked, in surprise.
"Thats the charity account" an,
swered Mr.. Batman.
Mr.. Sherley closed up the book and
laid it aside.
81 don't want to know what's giver
away. We don't need the account" he
said, and he never afterward alluded t.
it or looked at the book, but it in no way
lessened his devotion to aiding the needy
A story of some of the bread Mr.. Sher
ley cast upon the waters coming back t.
him was told by Mr.. Batman, and thu
happening caused Mr.. Sherley as mucl
pleasure as anything that ever occurred
to him. When the night schools frs
opened in Louisville Mr.. Sherley Offered
a prize for the best pupil among the boys
He found little fellow on Main stree
who appeared bright and capable, blu
had no education and was badly handi
capped by circumstances. He took al
interest in the boy at once, and, calling
him into his Office, talked to him of tn
advantages of an education and advised
him to go to night school. He told tn
boy that he would see him through. Tn
boy went to night school and won Mr.
Sherley's prize, which that year was
silver watch. The prize was always de
livered to the winner at Mr.. Sherley'
office, and when the winner called for /
he always gave the boy a good and ell
couraging talk. He treated the boy il
question according to his custom ant
watched him for while and then los
sight of him. A year or so ago Mr.
Sherley was in a Northern city on bust
ness and was walking down one of tn
business streets, when well-dressed
energetic young man accosted him.
81 guess you don't remember me, d.
you, Mr.. Sherley1' he asked.
Mr.. Sherley said he did not.
"Well. I'm the young man you helpe'
through night school. I'm prosperinI
here and want you to meet my family.
The young man took him to an elegan
home and an interesting family and in
troduced him as the man to whom h
owed his success. The young man wa
one of the owners of the largest stow
manufactures in the town and one of tn
largest in the country.
No one knows how many needy bu
worthy girls and boys he had entered i
business college and either paid for thei
education or aided them in securing tn
education. When the boy or girl left tn
school he always saw that they secure
employment.
Mr.. T. J. Batman, who went with Nj
Sherley in 1873 as an Office boy, and VIII