The career of this gentleman has been one of perseverance and integrity and has been crowned with the success merited by those who steadily pursue their way through life. For some years he has been engaged in the general mercantile business at Waverly and is the proprietor of a store that enjoys the patronage of the people of this section. A man more than ordinarily progressive and public-spirited, in point of general information upon all subjects he stands second to no man of his locality, and invariably gives his support to the enterprises calculated to advance the interests of the people, socially, morally, and financially.

The family of which Mr. Sherman is a member is one of the oldest in this locality. The first of the name to come here was his grandfather, Abner SHERMAN [1779-1858], a native of Rhode Island, who removed thence to New York and probably settled in Otsego County. After his marriage to Amy Scott, also from Rhode Island, and after the birth of two of their children, he came to Lackawanna County, about 1812, and settled in Abington township, where he cleared a spot in the midst of the wilderness and built a log cabin for his family. As he became better fixed financially, he was enabled to erect a more substantial house and add valuable improvements to his place. In politics he was an old-time Democrat, interested in the progress of public affairs. He died at Waverly.

The father of our subject, Nathan SHERMAN, was born in Cooperstown, NY, August 16, 1809, and was a child when the family came to this county. Here the remainder of his busy life was passed. In 1834 he married Elizabeth Stone, who died leaving two children, Helen and Hamilton. His second marriage, which took place in 1837, united him with Mary A. White, who was born in Sussex County, N. J., in 1813. Her father, James, was born in Sussex County and there spent his entire life, dying at the age of thirty-five years. He married Mercy Rose, daughter of Jacob Rose, a native of Sussex County; after the death of Mr. White, she married a second time, later came to Pennsylvania, and here died at the age of sixty-six years. Of the second marriage of Nathan Sherman, two children were born: Roscoe B., of this sketch, who was born in Abington Township in 1849; and Ida F., who was also born on the old homestead.

As a representative of prominent farmers, Mr. Sherman [Nathan] was held in high regard by the people of Abington Township. The habits of industry and economy which necessity inculcated in his character at an early age assisted him in the accumulation of a valuable property and did him good service throughout his life. He was respected by all who had dealings with him, and his character for honesty was high. His death, which occurred May 16, 1864, was deeply mourned by a host of old-time friends and associates.

The first vote of our subject was cast for General Grant in 1868 and he has since supported Republican men and measures. For many years he has held the position of school director, in which office he has aided in the advancement of the schools of the place. He is gifted with practical tenacity of purpose, and a clear and vigorous mind, and his judgment in business matters is keen and far-seeing.

Ed: Philip (imm.), Samuel, John, John, Job, Abner, Nathan, Roscoe Bolen. Roscoe died in 1913, apparently never married. 

Daniel C., son of Robert Shearman and Honor Brown, was born March 4, 1787; married Abigail Strong, daughter of Adoniah Strong, January 26, 1812, entered the counting house of his brother, Ebenezer B. Shearman, at the age of 18 years and remained there until about 1812, when he removed to Rutland, Jefferson Co., N.Y., and engaged in mercantile business, after which he purchased a farm and resided upon it until his death, which took place April 14, 1863.

Ebenezer B., son of Robert Shearman and Honor Brown, was born in South Kingston, R. I., April 20, 1783; married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Ballou (b. 1781), in 1808, and had; Jane, b. February, 1809; m. Joseph A. Shearman, March, 1833 Angeline, b. 1811; d. s. 1832. Ebenezer B. Shearman died in Utica, April 23, 1845. Sarah Ballou, widow of Ebenezer B. Shearman, died February 7, 1877, age 96 years.

He came to Utica, NY, previous to 1804 as a clerk to Jerathmel Ballou, son of Joseph. About 1804 he went into business with Judah Williams, Jr. In 1810 he was alone, and a few years after he took into partnership his young brother Stukeley, a young man of fine promise, who died at an early age. Subsequently his nephew, Joseph A. Shearman, and Theodore Ballou were associated with him. He became largely interested in the manufacture of cotton goods and window glass. He was one of the company which set in operation in New Hartford the first cotton factory in the county, the bulk of the shares of the stock of which he bought up, and managed the institution himself with skill and profit. He was always a friend and advocate of manufacturers and a patron of industry. By his energy and devotion to business he became independently wealthy. His interest in public affairs was conspicuous, and the share considerable which he bore in the civic affairs of his time. From its foundation he was, so long as he lived, a director of the Utica Bank, and in 1828 he was one of the electors for President of the United States. He possessed a judgment of remarkable soundness, a mind in all respects eminently practical, and a heart ever true to kindly impulses.

Jonathan Shearman son of Robert Shearman and Honor Brown, was born July 12, 1779; married, 1st, Dorinda Smith, and had Mary, b. August 3, 1810; m. Theodore Farley. Dorinda Smith, wife of Jonathan Shearman, died at Fenner, Madison county, NY, December 11, 1823.

He married, 2d, Catharine Hardenburgh, widow of --- Dykeman, in 1825, no children. Catharine Hardenburgh, wife of Jonathan Shearman, died April 21, 1860, aged 76 years.

Jonathan Shearman died March 18, 1863, in Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., NY. He was a practicing physician at an early day in Washington Co., R. I., from whence, in 1806, he removed to Oneida Co., NY. and finally settled at Fenner, Madison Co., NY, after having spent a short time at Aurelius, Cayuga Co. For a time he was in the mercantile business with his brother Daniel C., in Lowville, Lewis Co., but having gained a respectable competence, gave up his business and profession and lived a retired life.

Robert, son of Robert Shearman and Honor Brown, was born in South Kingston, R. I., September 10, 1790; married Anna Maria, daughter of Watts Sherman and Olivia Gillson (b. September 17, 1800), January 8, 1822, and had Robert Henry, b. August 15, 1822; d. September 5, 1822 and Olivia Maria, b. October 14, 1823; m. (1819 Talcott Ped.), S. Visscher Talcott, November 23, 1843.

Anna Maria Sherman, wife of Robert Shearman, died at St. Augustine, March 9, 1825. He married, 2d, Lura Tracy, May 17, 1835; no children.

Died at Westmoreland, N.Y., September 6, 1838, and was buried in Utica by the side of his first wife.

"Robert Shearman migrated from Kingston, R. I., to Utica in 1815, and joined his brother, William Pitt, in business. They were long together at No. 64 Genesee street and kept up a union in trade after William P. settled in Rochester. Feeble in health during the latter part of his life, he withdrew from business and made his home in Westmoreland, N.Y."

Willette H., son of (360) Robert Shearman and Honor Brown, was born at South Kingston, RI, January 31, 1792; married, 1st, Catharine Ann, daughter of Col. Lawrence Schoolcraft, a soldier of the Revolution, and the sister of Henry R. Schoolcraft, the historian, in 1816.

Died at Vernon, N.Y. December 28, 1868. He was the seventh son of the family, and left the homestead of his parents at the age of 19 years. He served a clerkship in Wickford and Providence, RI, and at the age of 21 he took charge of the business of the Oneida Glass factory, an incorporated company doing business in Vernon, NY, in which position he continued from 1813 to 1837, after which he was appointed one of the commissioners for the erection of the State Lunatic Asylum at Utica, and later one of the trustees of that institution. In 1842 he returned to Vernon, and to the date of his death resided on and cultivated the farm owned by him in that place.

William Pitt Shearman arrived at Utica, N.Y., in 1807, from Kingston, RI, and became assistant to his brother Ebenezer. A few years later he was in company with Seth Dwight, but in 1815 formed a business connection with his brother Robert. Striking in personal appearance, possessed of decided enterprise, he took a high stand as a merchant and accumulated a handsome property. Politically he was of the notorious twenty one high minded gentlemen. He died rather suddenly in New York City.

Ed: As reported in the Sept. 2001 "Clippings", the ancestry of Marshal John had not been uncovered. Shortly after that was published, I began to receive several other references with information about him. It should be noted that there are MANY books about the era, and the life and times of Billy the Kid. Most authors take the position delineated by Carol, but a few indicated that Marshal Sherman was the "only honest man in the affair".

The Lincoln County War was known more for its participants than for its origins. Cattle Baron John Chisum, and William Bonny (a.k.a. Billy the Kid) played major roles in the War that gained them notoriety and fame. However, a lesser-known man played a key role in bringing an end to the bloodshed. His name was John SHERMAN, Jr.

Hispanics and Navajos had herded sheep in the New Mexico territory for years. Anglo cattlemen moved in forcing these people from their homes and taking over all the grazing lands and water. It was this unrest that set the stage for bloodshed.

"The House" was a mercantile operated by Lawrence Murphy and James J. Dolan. This faction controlled the politics of the county along with the law. They were corrupt and had a monopoly on government contracts with Ft. Stanton and the nearby Mescalero Apache. John Tunstall,a young Englishman, saw an opportunity for gain by building another mercantile with a Lincoln lawyer named Alexander McSween. This mercantile created Competition for "The House" and a welcome faction for those who felt they would now have a political voice in the situation.

Both factions hired gunslingers to protect their interests and both had supporters with the law. "The House" had a judge and Sheriff Brady on their side, while Tunstall had the town Constable and the Justice of the Peace on his side. Each had legal warrants for the other’s arrest. Chisum and Billy the Kid were supporters of Tunstall. Chisum financially backed Tunstall and McSween, while Billy the Kid formed gunfighters into a group called the "Regulators".

Tunstall was on his way to Lincoln when Sheriff Brady’s posse stopped him and demanded Tunstall to turn over his livestock in payment of a drummed up debt. Tunstall refused and was shot and killed in cold blood. Billy the Kid gathered the "Regulators" and hunted down all the members of Sheriff Brady’s posse. They executed the ones they located.

On April 1, 1878 Billy the Kid and others ambushed Sheriff Brady and two of his deputies as they walked down the main street of Lincoln. Sheriff Brady was killed, as was one of the deputies.

In July the five-day war broke out in Lincoln. The remainder of Sheriff Brady’s posse cornered Billy the Kid and twelve others at McSween’s house. The house was finally set on fire and McSween and four others were shot and killed in his back yard as they were running to escape the flames. Billy the Kid and the rest escaped to safety.

The competition had ended with McSween’s death, but the violence and unrest continued in the county.

The murder of Sheriff Brady prompted Governor Wallace to request a report from U. S. Marshal John Sherman Jr. concerning the violence in Lincoln County.

John Sherman Jr. had been appointed U.S. Marshal over the New Mexico territory in 1877, by President Grant. He wasn’t qualified or experienced for the position, but he had strong political and social ties.

Sherman’s father was Washington lawyer, Charles Taylor Sherman. He was the nephew of General William T. Sherman and his brother, Senator John Sherman. Sherman was related as well to Senator James Cameron of Penn. He had also been involved with a banking and financing business with President Grant’s son. His appointment was pushed through Congress quite easily and without complaint.

It wasn’t long after Sherman’s arrival in the New Mexico territory that he proved himself to be inefficient and undependable in times of crisis. The Press accused him of public drunkenness in court, padding the payrolls of marshals, and gross neglect of duty.

Even a Grand Jury scolded him for neglecting or refusing to serve issued processes, summon material witnesses, serve warrants of arrest in serious crimes,and allow the accused to carry weapons and miss hearings and trials. Sherman’s reputation for scheming against his own political supporters succeeded in helping his enemies and hurting his friends.

When Governor Wallace requested Sherman’s report he received a very precise description of the occurrences in Lincoln County. Sherman related how the law could not be enforced, or arrests made, due to the climate of hostility in the area and the inability to get replacements for Sheriff and Deputy positions. Sherman also suggested that a state of Marshal Law be invoked, and troops brought into Lincoln as a show of force to encourage peace. Wallace had wanted the report for that very purpose, and he relayed it to Washington immediately. Permission was granted to invoke Marshall Law and troops from nearby Ft. Stanton was sent into Lincoln to protect the citizens. The violence began to ebb and those involved in the war fled the area to avoid arrest.

Sherman had requested that amnesty be given to some of those involved in the War but Billy the Kid was not to be one of them. Billy the Kid was wanted for the murder of Sheriff Brady . They could not grant amnesty to a person who killed a lawman. Billy the Kid died three years later at the age of 21.

Ed: John is referred to in all references as John, Jr. He was born on 4 Sept. 1847, when his Uncle John was only 24 years old - and apparently called "Jr." by the family, so as not to confuse them. He died on 30 May 1890, unmarried. More about him, and sources for the above story, on the SOY website.