Moses Sherman and the Northern Pacific RR

Moses Benjamin Sherman was employed by the Northern Pacific RR for a number of years.  We aren’t sure whether he worked in multiple locations or not but do know he and Susie lived in Drummond, Montana for a number of years while Moses worked for the railroad as the “Water Tender” in that location.

Here’s a picture of Moses and his son William Clay Sherman sitting near the water tower and the superstructure is clearly visible. We assume the small building directly behind them is the home of Moses and Susie.

In 1998 Mr. Ed and I visited Drummond and found that a water tower is still in existence there but we assume this tower is the source of drinking water for Drummond.  The old NPRR tower was no doubt torn down years ago.

And last but far from least is Moses Sherman’s “Certificate of Annuity” from the railroad on his retirement November 8, 1938.

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Susan J. Edminster, Granite Falls Washington, 12 October, 2011, All Rights Reserved

Pictures and certificate are the sole property of Susan J. Edminster

Descendants of Henry Sherman (1801-1878)

To my readers:

My husband is the descendant of Moses Benjamin Sherman.

I feel it’s important for me to offer a disclaimer for this descendant chart.  You see my husband and I researched the Sherman family about 13 years ago and as beginning genealogists who were very excited about the process we failed to note proper documentation and simply copied information from wherever we found it.  Now, all these years later we must pick up the pieces and provide the necessary source information for what we publish.

So having said that, I’ll provide sources for this information on this blog with the exception of this chart which is here as a sort of “jumping off place” for Sherman researchers.  I make no claims as to the accuracy until I prove it myself, at which time sources will be added.

Sincerely,  Susan Edminster

Henry Sherman was born 25 April, 1801 in Mifflin, Columbia County, PA and died 14 May, 1878 In Overton, Bradford County, PA.  He married (1) Catherine Hunsinger born about 1802 it Cherry Twp, Sullivan County, PA and died in 1834 in Overton, Bradford County, PA.  Married (2) Elizabeth Thrash, died 5 March, 1882 In Overton/

Children of Henry Sherman and Catherine Hunsinger:

George Sherman, born in 1824 in Mifflin, Columbia County, PA

Daniel Sherman. born in 1825 In Overton, Bradford, PA, married Lorinda Larabee.

Amos Sherman, born about 1827

Henry Sherman, born in 1829 in Overton, Bradford, PA and died 9 April, 1902 in Overton.  Married Catherine Rinebold.

Mary Sherman, born about 1831 in Overton, Bradford, PA and died 6 March, 1891. Married Charles Brown.

Peter Sherman, born in 1833 in Overton, Bradford, PA and died 6 March, 1891 in Overton.  Married (1) Phian Strevy, (2) Elizabeth Hatch.

Jacob Sherman, born 2 November, 1834 in Overton, Bradford, PA and died 11 March, 1905 in Overton.  Married Hannah A Musselman.

Children of Henry Sherman and Elizabeth Thrash:

Catherine Sherman, born in 1836 In Overton, Bradford, PA and died about 1907.  Married Abraham Kinney Woodley.

Nelson Sherman, born 12 October, 1838 in Overton and died 24 May 1912.  Married Margaret Rowe.

William Sherman, born 9 September, 1843 in Overton and died 5 March, 1899 in Forks twp, Sullivan County, PA.  He married Emily Molyneux

John Sherman, born in July 1844 in Overton and died 4 February, 1881.

Loretta Sherman, born 21 December, 1845 in Overton and died 18 October, 1909. Married Augustus Bleiler

Vielene Pauline Sherman, born 13 July, 1851 in Overton.

Caroline Sherman, born 4 March, 1855 in Overton, died 4 May, 1885.  Married Albert Molyneux.

Moses Benjamin Sherman, born 6 July 1856 (some records say 1855) in Overton, died 5 December 1942 in Tacoma, WA.  Married Susan Viola Leach.

Andrew Washington Sherman, born in July 1858 in Overton and died 7 February, 1926.  Married Nettie Hottenstein.

Ann (Anna) Sherman, born 24 September, 1860 in Overton and died in 1910. Married Bert King.

Edward Sherman, born 10 March, 1864 in Overton and died in 1841.  Married Della Bahr.

Sherman Gravesites, part 3

These three gravestones are those of Peter Sherman’s family.

Grave of Phian Strevy, first wife of Peter Sherman

who died May 2, 1862 at the age of 29 years

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Grave of Esther E.  Sherman, daughter of Peter Sherman and Phian Strevy.

Esther died at the age of 5 years, 6 months and 6 days

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Graves of Maggie Sherman, Henry Sherman and Lottie Sherman

children of Elizabeth Hatch and Peter Sherman

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Susan J. Edminster, October 3, 2011, Granite Falls Washington, All Rights Reserved

Pictures are the sole property of Susan J. Edminster

Henry Sherman, Elizabeth (Thrash) Sherman Gravestones

These pictures are all from Overton, Pennsylvania

St. Paul’s Church, Overton Street Sign, and Cornfield!

Cemetery at St. Paul’s in Overton

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Henry Sherman, died 14 May, 1878

Elizabeth (Thrash) Sherman died 5 March, 1882

Note:  Some researchers believe Elizabeth’s surname to be “Thrasher” however the death certificate for her son Moses Sherman clearly states her surname is Thrash.

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Susan J. Edminster, Granite Falls Washington, 10/2/2011, All Rights Reserved.

Pictures are the sole property of Susan J.Edminster

Sherman Gravestones, part 2

This post includes gravestones for some of Henry Sherman’s children.

Sons of Henry Sherman and Catherine Hunsinger:

Gravestone for Jacob Sherman and his wife Hannah (Musselman) Sherman

Gravestone for Henry Sherman

Gravestone for Peter Sherman

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Children of Henry Sherman and Elizabeth Thrash:

This one is a little hard to read but is the gravestone for Caroline (Sherman) Molyneux and  her husband Albert.

Gravestone for John Sherman

Gravestone of Nelson Sherman

Gravestone of Loretta (Sherman) Bleiler and husband Augustus

Gravestone of William Sherman

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Susan J. Edminster 10/2/2011, Granite Falls Washington, All Rights Reserved

Pictures are the sole property of Susan J. Edminster

Moses Benjamin Sherman (1855-1942)

Moses Benjamin Sherman

Moses Sherman was born in Overton, Bradford County Pennsylvania on July 6, 1855, the 8th child of Henry Sherman and Elizabeth Thrash.  Three siblings came after Moses, and Henry also had seven children with his first wife, Catherine Hunsinger.  As did many people of the time, Moses moved West, settling in Michigan for a time, and that was where he met and married Miss Susan Viola Leach of Arbela. “Susie” as she was known was the daughter of Solomon Leach and Susan Higley.  Moses made his living as a blacksmith.

The Sherman’s were parents to Martha Almena Sherman, born in 1882, William Clay Sherman, born September 19, 1885, and Murry Bird Sherman born in 1888.  In addition, the Sherman’s had a stillborn son, Edward, born in 1881.

As their children moved further west, so did Moses and Susan.  They lived in Drummond, Montana for a number of years where Moses was a water tower tender for the Northern Pacific Railway, and continued employment by the railroad until his retirement November, 8, 1938. Moses Benjamin Sherman died December 5, 1942 in Tacoma, Washington and is buried in New Tacoma Cemetery.

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Obituary – Moses Benjamin Sherman

Moses Benjamin Sherman, 87, died Saturday at a local hospital.  He resided at 714 South 72nd Street and was a native of Pennsylvania.  He was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad as a pumper and was a member of Ruby Lodge, F. & A.M of Drummond, Mont. and had been a Mason for more than 55 years.  He leaves his wife, Susan V. of the home, sons, William C. of Tacoma, Mury (sic) B. of Bellingham, daughter Mrs. Martha Shafer of Michigan, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the Lynn chapel, the Rev”article not complete…..”

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SOURCES:

Washington State Department of Health Death Certificate # 93-D, Registrar’s No 1661 for Moses Benjamin Sherman.

Tacoma News Tribune, 5 December, 1942, Obituary for Moses Sherman

U.S. Census documents:

1880: Unionville, Columbia Township, Tuscola County, Michigan

1900: Charlevoix, Marian Township, Charlevoix County, Michigan

1910: Missoula, Cedar Township, Missoula County, Montana

1920: Drummond, Lewis and Clark Township, Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Receipt – New Tacoma Cemetery – date: 7 December, 1942, #861

Another Peter Sherman?

This Peter Sherman is a mystery to me…. maybe my readers can help me determine where he fits in the family line.

As you can see, this Peter Sherman was born around 1810, too old to be the child of our ancestor Henry Sherman whose date of birth was 1801.  Was he perhaps Henry’s brother? A cousin?  Or possibly he’s not related to Henry at all…. I really don’t know at this point. If anyone reading this has the answer I’d love to hear from you.  Thanks!

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Susan J. Edminster, October 3, 2011, Granite Falls Washington, All Rights Reserved

Picture is the sold property of Susan J. Edminster

Susie Sherman’s Quilt

Susie Sherman lived in a time when you used everything you had, over and over until it was pretty well used up.  Most women made quilts and Susie was no exception.  Just the other day I came across the beginning of a Crazy Quilt that Susie was working on… here’s what it looks like… I wonder what other garments might have been part of this quilt had she been able to finish it.  Notice her basting threads are still in the quilt.

Susie's Crazy Quilt

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Susan J. Edminster, Granite Falls Washington, September 2, 2011,  All Rights Reserved

Photograph is the sole property of Susan J. Edminster, Granite Falls Washington

Moses and Susie Sherman – A Picture

Hi Folks,

Isn’t this a lovely picture of Moses and Susie?  It was taken in Drummond, Montana, probably about 1938, prior to Moses retirement from the Railroad.  Moses and Susie subsequently moved to Tacoma, Washington where he died December 5, 1942.  Susie lived until July 3, 1962…. at the time of her death Susie was 102 years of age.

Susan and Moses Sherman in Drummond, Montana

Susan  J. Edminster, Granite Falls, Washington, September 2, 2011, All Rights Reserved

Photograph is the sole property of Susan J. Edminster, Granite Falls, Washington

George Hartwell, A Snapshot in Time

The back of this picture says “George Hartwell, Saw Filer” and it’s the only picture we have of my husband’s great grandfather.  The picture tells us a few things about him:

His occupation was “Saw Filer” and if you look carefully you can see the saw he’s working on has rather large teeth and is the type of saw commonly used in logging operations.  Although you can’t see the saw’s handles it was probably a two-man crosscut saw. The 1910 U.S. Census for Garfield Township, Mackinac County Michigan confirms George Hartwell’s occupation as “Filer” and states he was 49 years old.

George is wearing warm looking clothing, a ragged sweater, wooly socks and ankle high boots.  The boots don’t appear to be heavy duty, more like shoes with high tops. He’s working inside a building, not out among the logging crew.

More of the story of George Hartwell:

George N. Hartwell was born in Island Pond Vermont in May of 1861, the child of Charles Hartwell and Calista Langs.  The family settled in Branch County, Michigan prior to 1870 and later moved to Echo Township, Antrim County, MI.

George married Mary Jane Edgeworth November 27, 1882 in Echo Township, Antrim County Michigan.  George and Mary Jane were the parents of  a stillborn baby born July 18, 1884 and  Johannah, born August 11, 1887.  Mary Jane doesn’t appear in the records after that so it’s possible she died, but we just don’t know.

On April 18, 1893 George married Allie Vanica (or Veronica) daughter of John Vanica and Amanda Schook in Langlade County, Wisconsin.  George and Allie became parents to Frank H. Hartwell who died September 5, 1900 of “Cero-Spinal Meningitis”  Frankie is buried in Dunsmore Cemetery, Antrim County Michigan.  The 1900 census states that Allie was the Mother of six children, three living.

On the 1910 U.S. Federal Census for Mackinac County, MI  George Hartwell is listed as a widower, 49 years old.

In February, 1920, George was admitted as a patient to the Schoolcraft County Hospital. He had been working at the Jackson Lumber camp prior to admission, but the admission documents don’t indicate the reason he was brought in.

George Hartwell died on June 29, 1920 and is probably buried in an unmarked grave in Lakeview Cemetery, Manistique, Michigan.  A section of the cemetery was set aside for burials of County inmates who died during their hospitalization.

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SOURCES:

1870 US. Census, Population Schedule, Branch County, Michigan, Digital Image, Ancestry.com, 2010

1880 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Antrim County, Michigan, Digital Image, Ancestry.com, 2010

1900 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Charlevoix County, Michigan, Digital Image, Ancestry.com, 2010

1910 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Mackinac County, Michigan, Digital Image, Ancestry.com, 2010

1920 U.S. Census, Population Schedule, Schoolcraft County, Michigan, Digital Image, Heritage Quest, 2010

Antrim County, Michigan Marriage Index, FHC microfilm #0980364

Antrim County, Michigan Death Index, FHC microfilm #0980362

Langlade County, Wisconsin Marriage Index, entry #22, document 02511 120

Schoolcraft County, Michigan Death Certificate record #2691, George Hartwell

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Susan J. Edminster, Granite Falls, Washington, 5/30/2011.  All rights reserved

Picture is the sole property of Susan J. Edminster, Granite Falls, Washington