The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-01-17
Deneen and Sherman Began
Life in Jasper County
MADE THEIR OWN WAY
ATTENDED DEBATES AND CON-
TRoLLED LARGE FOLLOWING
I'M DISTRICTS WHERE
THEY TAUGHT.
says be sprIngieId RegIster:

Governor Sherman began their public
career which has culmin. ted III their
having been chosen 10 the two high-
est public positions IN the gift of the
citizens Of Illinois, in Jasper county
and two other names are added to the
long list of eminent Illinoisans who
owe their success, In part, to the in
fuence and training Of a community
Of which all citizens are Justly proud,
Both Charles S. Deneen and Law.
renee Y. Sherman began their careers
near Newton. Both men won local
fame for successes gained in the pub
lie schools of that county and both
gentlemen are free to acknowledge
the benelcient influences. the friend.
Iy encouragement that started them
on their successful \caroers as two
foremost citizens of Illinois.
The career of both men began ten
years apart, both taught their first
term in Jasper county only ten miles
apart, and both were considered by
citizens as men who would shine in
the future affairs of the state.
Denecn as Teacher.
Mr.. Deneen's success as a teacher
was unusually brilliant He was ideal
lied by both parents and students.
His kindly ways, sturdy character, in
tense devotion to duty and unusually
fascinating personality were so pro-
nounced that during his first term he
vas considered one of the best teach
ers of the county. He entered the
schools of Jasper county ten years la
ter than Judge Sherman-in 1852
ana taught the Pleasant Ridge school.
No. As, situated eight miles from a
railroad. He had graduated from Me
Kendree college at the age of Is
years and has the distinction of hay
ing secured the highest grade ever
made in the classical course Of that
old and famous institution, This
reputation had followed him and
much, of course, was expected of
him. His oratorical ability had not
become famous While a teacher he
took a prominent part in the literary
eociety of the neighborhood and, II Is
claimed, that ii is just as well for
Governor Deneen that no stanogra-ph
er was present at those early efforts
at debate. However, his future ca
reer was predicted by many of his
friends, and from that day TO this his
steady rise in the estimation of his
fellow citizens has been watched by
no truer friends than those who knew
him at Pleasant Ridge
Shermans Younger Days.
Judge Shermans friends in Jasper
county are won't to say to the young
men: IF you have push, energy and
ability, do as Sherman did, and al
most any obstacle can be surmount.
ed" He was an in ense student. He
taught at his first term at the Prairie
school during the winter of 1872 aud
1873. He had been student under
former County superintendent c. S.
Jones and County Superintendent ].
f. Arnold for four years and freely
acknowledges the Inspiration that
their kindly words gave him and at.
tributes his educational success in a
large measure 10 their constant and
intelligent interest.
His career as a public speaker be
gan at the residence Of Mrs. Craycroft
and in an old log cabin owned by
Captain Jones he made his first pub
lie speech. His audience consisted Of
five boys. every one of whom later
won success in life, and the subject
discussed was: Resolved. That there
is much more pleasure in pursuit than
in possession" His speech was brief,
very brief. so much so that one Of
the audience of five VOWS to this day
that he never uttered an intelligent
word but a series of sounds. This
failure. for such Il was, marked the
turning point in his oratorieal career,
and from that time on he rapidly
pushed forward. until today he is
known from Galena to Cairo. from
East ST. Louis to Mount Carmel. as
one of the brightest orators of hi.
nois.
Attended Literary Debates.
Judge Sherman attended the winter
literary society known as the Philso
phian and was pitted against such
men as Judge r. c. Hurrah of Effing.
ham. Judge James p JACK of Newton.
Rev. Beech Wishard of ella, DR.. II
B. Downs of Danville, Jacob Mumford
of Neoga and DIR. F Davidson of Hi.
dalgo.
The old log cabin still stands and
at the present time is owned by J. K.
Woods. The house is forty-seven
years old. and has been rooted three
times and is situated near the Embar-
rass river.
Judge Sherman's first school house
is still used for school purposes and
is known as Prairie school No. 5, 10
Gated in Grove township.
Judge Sherman said recently of his
early life: Really. there seems little
to say. as I look back at It. went
through the usual hard work on a
farm. for which I am thankful now
Ny b0yhOOd days we're filed with the
usual pranks between times"
He further stated: My wife and
both fsarartu rest in the little grave