The Washington herald., 1909-03-05

~ same ward Of the city off Utica
IN which he now lives. The house Mr..
sherman now occupies IS only half a
dozen squares fro mthe house where he
wzs born.
Mr.. Sherman can trace his ancestry
back 10 Sir Henry Sherman. Of Dedham,
England, in the sixteenth century, and
the male succession comes down through
Henry. Samuel, Philip, Benjamin. Jona-
than first, Jonathan second, Robert.
Wulett H. and Richard Z
Richard L Sherman's mother was
Catharine schoOlcraft, daughter Of Law
renee Schoolcraft, a Revolutionary SOL
der and friend OF the Indians Of the
Mohawk Valley The Vice President was
named for his grandmother's brother,
James Schooicraft-
Richard Z Sherman, the former Con-
gressman's father. was born in Vernon
Oneida County, New York. and was by
profession an editor, although a large por-
ton Of his life was spent in pUblic serv-
ice He was major general Of the State
militia, an alderman Of Utica, q member
Of the board OF supervisors. chairman Of
the board for a half dozen years. clerk
OF the New York State Assembly, three
times member OF the assembly. author
Of the manual which IS stiu in Use in the
assembly, and was member Of the con-
stiruuonal convention OF the state in 1867.
Interested In AdirOndackS-
he was for fifteen years president Of
the fish, forest. and game commission,
and very much interested IN the preser-
walton Of the Adirondacks. He was tally
clerk Of the House Of REPRESENTATIVES
from 1850 10 $50. and in 1872 was the
liberal Republican candidate for member
OF Congress.
After retiring from active business
Richard Z Sherman accepted the office Of
president Of the village Of New Hartford,
and also occupied the position OF justice
Of the peace. and in the discharge Of his
duties as such spent most Of his time
ia bringing about amicable settlements OF
nsighborhoOd disputes.
Vice President Sherman's mother was
Mary F. Sherman. a lady 0f most beau
tiful character. whose activities outside
OF her family cares were devoted TO char
table and Christian work. She was a
woman Of fine mind, whose influence was
felt not alone in her own family, but by
al with whom she came in contact. The
memory Of her acts Of charity and kind
ness and the pleasant words and un-
bounded hospitality are treasured by all
who came within her circle
Cp 70 the time Of his marriage Rich
ard L Sherman had spelled his name
with an "a" (Shearman) At the time Of
his marriage the "a" was dropped The
relationship between the two was remote.
Moved to a Farm.
When James :. Sherman was two years
old his father moved with mis- family 10
q farm two miles south Of the village Of
New Hartford. Here they lived until 1855
IN the fall Of 1868 0Ir- Sherman's parents
purchased a house in the village Of New
Hartford. where they continued 10 live
until the death Of Mr.. Sherman's s mother.
in 1855 his father having died the year
previous.
Mr. Sherman lived with his parents IN
IL 1881. when he was married al East
Orange. y J.. 10 Carrie Babcock. taking
Up his residence in the Seventh ward Of
Utica, two blocks from where he now re-
sides.
While AIr- Sherman lived or his faith
er's farm he attended the district school.
half mile from home. and when Old
enough 10 do so he assisted in dofne
such work on the farm as boy OF his
years would he capable Of After
removing 20 the village Of New Hartford
he attended the public school IN that
town. and later attended the Utica Acad-
erny, which was four miles distant from
his home, connected by a street ear serv-
Zee.
Later he attended the Whitesjown semi
nary, a preparatory school situated in
the village OF Whitesbor0. fou- miles
distant From this school Young She~-
man entered Hamilton College IL the
fan OF 1874 and was graduated in ISIS
Tn the school and college he vas dis
tinguished for general good-fallowship
rather than scholarship. He gained a
considerable reputation as declaimer ia
both school and college. carrying of the
first hor0TS in defamation AZ the end Of
his freshman year He also enjoyed a
reputation as a dehater. and was one Of
six chosen from his class at the conclu-
sion Of his senior year 10 contest for
prizes
Begins study Of Law.
After leaving college. Mr.. Sherman be
gan at once the study Of law fn the Office
OF Beardsley, Cookinham, and Burdiek.
a. Utica, y. Y He was admitted to
practice two years later. and At once
formed q partnership with Hon II. J
Cool1inham. his brother-in-law. and for
mer Mayor John g Gibson. He con-
tinUed the practice Of law IN partnership
with Mr.. Cooki1ham. with various
changes in The personnel of the firm. until
January I, 1907. when he Withdrew as a
member Of the law firm. In his law prac-
tice his work partook more Of an Office
business than an advocate
In 1889 with other Utica business men.
he organized the Utica Trust and De-
pOSit Company. now one 0f the leading
banks o. Central New York. and was
chosen as its president. which position he
has since occupied The New Hartford
Canning Company we= organized IN 1SSf
by his father and another gentleman. and
after his fathers death he became presi-
dent Of the company He IS also inter
ested- IN various ways. in many other
local enterprises
Active in Politics.
Mr. Shemaa's first active work in poll
tics was the year succeeding his gradua-
ton from college. when he spoke a few
times in different parts of the country in
advocacy Of the election of Alonzo B.
Cornell Republican candidate for gov
ernor. making his first speech in the town
CT his residence
During the last fifteen years Ar Sher-
man has campaigned in various parts Of
The State. having spoken in most Of the
important cities and in a great many