USA > Vermont > Men of Vermont : an illustrated biographical history of Vermonters and sons of Vermont > Part 86
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Mr. Shaw, actuated by patriotic zeal, en- listed in Co. I, 3d Regt., and was mustered in at Burlington and immediately afterwards dispatched to New Haven, Conn., where he contracted a severe cold while on guard duty, which was followed by hemorrhage of the lungs, which trouble necessitated his discharge Nov. 24, 1864, and from which he has never fully recovered.
For three years he held the office of chap- lain in Woodbury Post, G. A. R., of West Concord, but on his removal to St. Johnsbury, he transferred his membership to Chamberlin Post of the latter place.
He was married, June 16, 1859, to Francis J. M., daughter of N. S. and Sarah M. (Story) Damon, of Kirby. Four sons have been issue of this alliance : Albert H., Edward C., William O., and Herbert J.
SHAW, HENRY HATRIC, of West Brat- tleboro, son of John and Elizabeth (Harri-
man) Shaw, was born in Barnet, Dec. 21, 1842.
His education was obtained at the Cale- donia grammar school and Middlebury College, and he afterward pursued a course in theology under the private instruction of President Lord. For nearly three years he also gave his attention to the study and practice of the law in the office of Mr. Hale, of Barnet. Resolving to devote his life to the profession of teaching, he prepared him- self for his occupation by mastering the Oswego Normal course. He had some ex- perience in his profession while preparing for and during his college course, and acted as principal for the New Haven Academy for a year before his graduation. During a
HENRY HATRIC SHAW.
period extending from 1865 to 1881 he was successively principal of the Chester Acad- emy, the Springfield high school, the Burr and Burton Seminary of Manchester, and of the Northfield graded school. In 1881 he was called to the charge of the Glenwood Classical Seminary, in West Brattleboro, where he still remains.
Mr. Shaw was united in marriage, August 20, 1867, to Lucy F., daughter of John G. and Frances Whiting, of Saxtons River. This union has been blessed with three children : Harry Whiting, Anne Whiting (died in infancy), and Minnie Whiting.
In 1870 Mr. Shaw was licensed to preach by the Springfield and the Claremont Asso- ciation for the term of four years, and two
355
SHAW.
years subsequently received the same privi- lege for life from the Rutland and Benning- ton County Association of Congregational Ministers and Churches.
SHAW, WILFRED C., of Granville, N. Y., son of James M. and Helen (Carver) Shaw, was born in Pawlet, Oct. 25, 1852.
His education was acquired in the com- mon schools of Pawlet and also at the acad- emy of that place. After the completion of his studies he engaged in the occupation of farming on the place where he was born, and to this he devoted the efforts of his life. From the careful, methodical manner in which he has pursued his vocation he has met with merited success. His perceptive powers and sound judgment backed by un- questioned integrity and indomitable energy have placed him in the ranks of the leading men in his community and have secured to him many offices of honor and trust at the hands of his fellow-townsmen, including that of selectman and justice of the peace.
He was married at Middle Granville, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1874, to Mary, daughter of Benja- min and Margaret (Parry) Williams. Two children have been born to them, one of whom, Helen, is living.
SHEDD, WILLIAM R., of Wells River, son of Timothy and Susan (Reed) Shedd, was born in Newbury, August 23, 1816.
His educational acquirements were ob- tained in the public schools of Newbury and at Kimball Union Academy. His father, who was a tanner, came from Rindge, N. H., to Wells River early in the present century, bought an estate in that village, erected a tannery and followed his trade for more than twenty-five years He was a man of marked sagacity and unusual business ability, and his ambition increased with his opportuni- ties. He soon became engaged in farming, lumbering, and general trade.
William R. Shedd was the fourth of a fam- ily of seven, and has always lived in Wells River with the exception of twenty years' residence in the adjacent village of Newbury prior to 1892. He remained with his father till the time of the death of the latter in 1857, assisting him in the varied details of his business, and after his decease was for some time employed in the administration of the estate. About this time Mr. Shedd transferred the tannery into a grist mill, and after running this for a few years, sold it, as well as the mercantile establishment, about 1860.
He was united in marriage, May 28, 1850, to Charlotte, daughter of Peter Butler, of Oxford, Mass. She died April 12, 1885, leaving one daughter : Ruth Annie.
SHELDON.
Mr. Shedd has been for forty years offi- cially connected with the National Bank of Newbury as director and president. For five years he was a director of the state prison, and under his management and that of his colleagues the institution was made remunerative.
WILLIAM R. SHEDD,
A loyal Republican from the outset, he has been called to fill various positions of public trust. Serving as lister repeatedly, he was selectman for many years and chairman of the board during the trying period of the civil war. His good judgment, faithfulness, and ability in public affairs are evidenced by his representing his town in the Legislatures of 1863 and 1864 and his election to the Senate from Orange county in 1872.
SHELDON, CHARLES, late of Rutland, son of Medad and Mary ( Bass) Sheldon, was born in Rutland, July 1, 1814.
His early education was limited to the district schools of the period, and at the completion of his studies he labored for two years upon his father's farm at Waddington, N. Y. He then entered a cabinet shop and learned the trade, but finding this occupa- tion uncongenial to his tastes, sought and obtained employment as a clerk in a coun- try store, but afterwards went to Montreal, where at the age of eighteen he became captain of a steam craft, and was afterwards the master of a fine vessel plying on the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. He next en-
CHARLES SHELDON.
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SHELDON.
gaged in the lumber trade with varied suc- cess in Troy and New York City, but in 1850 returned to his birthplace where he com- menced the marble business, forming a partnership with David Morgan, Jr., and Lorenzo Sheldon. After sundry changes in the concern, in 1865 he associated with himself his sons, Charles and John A. Shel- don. Subsequently a third son, William K., was admitted as a partner, and in 1889 the firm was incorporated as the Sheldon Marble Co. Their business has been uniformly successful, and though twice temporarily suspended by fire, on each occasion the works were rebuilt on a more extensive plan than before, and upon the death of Mr. Sheldon they consisted of three large mills fully equipped, constituting one of the largest marble producing concerns in extist- ence, which is well known throughout the world. Mr. Sheldon has ever been the practical head of this immense business, and to his able management is chiefly ow- ing the prosperity which it has enjoyed.
He was united in marriage June 13, 1838, to Janet, daughter of John and Janet (Som- erville) Reid. To them were born seven sons and one daughter : John A., Charles H., James S. (died in infancy), George P., Richard K., Janet S. (died in infancy), Archie L., and William K. Mrs. Sheldon departed this life in February, 1859, and on Jan. I, 1862, he was united to Harriet D. Pierce, daughter of Hon. George Redington of Waddington, N. Y., who survives him.
While Mr. Sheldon was a resident of the state of New York he was an active partici- pant in political affairs, being a staunch whig, and at one time an influential mem- ber of the whig state committee. He was the political associate and friend of Horace Greeley and Thurlow Weed, and was later identified with the Free Soil party. He was a warm admirer of James G. Blaine, and his admiration for the brilliant statesman was intensified by a somewhat intimate per- sonal acquaintance. After his return to Rut- land, though frequently urged, he would never accept public office, devoting himself exclusively to his extensive business inter- ests. He died of pneumonia Nov. 3, 1889, and was buried in the family vault in Ever- green cemetery. He was a pleasant and kindly master, and as thorough a workman as any of his subordinates. That he always commanded their esteem and respect is a fact amply demonstrated by the presence of the five hundred men who came to partici- pate in the closing scenes of the drama of their employer's life, and the loss which the community sustained by his death was em- phasized by the closing of all places of busi- ness during the hours of the funeral, out of respect for the deceased.
SHEPARD.
SHEPARD, JOHN FRANKLIN, of South Royalton, son of Isaac Stevens and Lucy (Wheat) Shepard, was born in Sharon, Sept. 4, 1835. His great-grandfather was Moses Shepard who was of Scotch descent, came from Connecticut and was one of the first settlers of Sharon. On his mother's side his ancestors were English.
He received his education at the public schools and at Royalton Academy. His father moved from Sharon to Royalton in 1848 and this town has been his home since, with the exception of the years 1858 and 1859 when he went West, but returned to Royalton before the breaking out of the rebellion.
JOHN FRANKLIN SHEPARD.
He enlisted in September, 1861, in the 2d Regt. Co. E, of Berdan's U. S. Sharp- shooters from Vermont, and was one of the few men of that company who carried his own rifle. In the winter of 1862 he con- tracted rheumatism and for that reason was discharged from Judiciary Square Hospital, Washington, D. C., April 19, 1862. Return- ing to Royalton he partially regained his health, and in April, 1863, bought of his father a part interest in the home farm ( Mill Brook Farm) and mill property, and in 1866 bought out the entire property of his father and engaged in farming and manufacturing lumber.
Mr. Shepard is a staunch Republican and represented Royalton in the Legislature of 1886. He has taken an active part in town affairs, has held various official positions and
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MINI PARDON.
at present is chanman of the board of school directors. He was a charter member of Orville Bisby Post, No. 93, G. A. R., and has taken an active part in that order. He is also an energetic Patron of Husbandry and in 1891 and 1892 was Master of White River Valley Pomona Grange.
November 25, 1863, he married Mary Flynn, daughter of Jesse and Ann ( Havens ) Button. They have five children : Charles F., Lucy A. ( Mrs. A. B. Fowler), George S., John C., and Fred J.
SHEPARDSON, SAMUEL C., of West Fletcher, son of Joel and Hullah (Good- rich ) Shepardson, was born in Fairfax, Dec. 20, 1824. His father, Joel Shepardson, was a man of excellent business ability, but his principal vocation was farming.
Samuel was brought up at home, receiving his education in the schools of Fairfax and Fletcher, and when he was fourteen years old moved with his family to the farm which he now occupies. Possessed of a powerful frame, quick perceptions and unusual en- ergy, he soon developed a great capacity for shrewd and skillful farm management. He has also been a successful financier, and ranks among the most wealthy citizens of the town. Dairying and the production of maple sugar are his chief resources. He has an orchard of 1400 trees, and manufact- ures a most excellent and remunerative grade of sugar. He has solved the vexed labor question by rearing two sons, who with his assistance are fully capable of carrying on the farm.
Mr. Shepardson was united in marriage, Oct. 3, 1850, to Emily, daughter of Joseph and Junia ( Montague) Robinson of Fletcher. Of their four children, Joel A. died at twenty-three, Mary in infancy, and Willie S. and Herbert D. survive, being associated with their father. Willie is quite promi- nently connected in town affairs, having been lister, and is at present a selectman and one of the school directors.
Mr. Shepardson is a Republican, and was elected to the House in 1884, where he served efficiently on the committee on agri- culture and federal relations.
His widely-known reputation for impartial judgment and strict integrity has often called him to the settlement of estates, but he has not accepted town offices though many times urged to discharge their duties.
SHERMAN, OSCAR L., of Williamsville, son of Nathan and Mary (Howard) Sher- man, was born in Dover, Nov. 20, 1831. The common schools furnished him with his education. Leaving school at the age of eighteen he labored for some time upon his father's farm, and then moved to Will-
SHERMAN.
iamsville, where he was employed for two years as clerk in a general store. Attracted by the reports of the golden wealth of Cali- fornia, he emigrated to that state and was a successful miner. Returning to Williams- ville in 1855, he entered into partnership with G. 1 .. lowe to do a general country trade, and after the death of Mr. Howe, in 1865, Mr. Sherman continued the business alone.
In 1860 and 1861 he was elected to the Legislature as the candidate of the Demo- cratic party. In this body he served cred- itably during that important and critical period. For four years he was postmaster under the administration of President Buch-
1
OSCAR L. SHERMAN.
anan, which office he resigned at the end of his term. He is now vice-president and director of the People's Bank of Brattleboro, and the latter position he has held ever since the organization of that institution. He was also a trustee of the Windham County Savings Bank for six years. Mr. Sherman has been in his present store for thirty-seven years, and is well known and respected as an upright business man, and a generous and kind-hearted neighbor.
He was married Sept. 10, 1856, to Betsy C., daughter of Captain Aaron C. and Betsy (Crosby) Robinson of Newfane. Three children have been born to them, of whom two now survive: Robinson M., and Al- bert N.
359
SHERMAN.
SHERMAN, SIDNEY HARVEY, of Brattle- boro, son of Joseph and Chloe (Howard) Sherman, was born in Dover, May 11, 1828. His ancestors, originally from Germany, emigrated to the neighborhood of London, whence they came to Connecticut, at length removing to Shrewsbury, Mass. His great- grandfather, Joseph Sherman, served in the Revolutionary war, and his grandfather, Nathan Sherman, after participating in Shay's rebellion, emigrated to Vermont and settled in the eastern part of what is now the town of Dover about 1790.
SIDNEY HARVEY SHERMAN.
Mr. Sherman enjoyed the common advan- tages of the district schools, and only three short terms in the village academies, and commenced his business career as a clerk in the store of P. F. Perry, in Dover Center, in 1847, but being dissatisfied with his limited opportunities went to the city of New York, where he engaged as book-keeper for the New York Wire Mills. A year later he went to Amherst, Mass., where he was employed as a clerk for the next six years. After this he engaged in trade on his own account at Williamsville, but sold out to his cousin, O. I .. Sherman, and went to Illinois, locating on Fox river, in the town of Geneva, where he remained about two years. He then re- turned to Dover and erected a store in the village of Rock River, and was instrumental in establishing the postoffice at that place, called East Dover, where for many years he held the office of postmaster. At the com-
SHERMAN.
mencement of the war he was elected first selectman of the town, and became actively interested in filling the required quota of soldiers and in raising the requisite share of the war expenses, in which he was so suc- cessful that no debt was left against this small township, which raised no less than $16,000 in a single year, although the popu- lation was but little more than 600 individ- uals. In the spring of 1869 he associated with himself in business Mr. L. H. Gould, under the firm name of Sherman & Gould, and in 1870 was chosen a delegate from the town to the Constitutional Convention at Montpelier. He was for several years town clerk of the town, and for eight years justice of the peace, and at one time or another has filled all the prominent offices in the gift of his town. He was elected to represent Dover in the Legislature of the state for the biennial term of 1872-'74.
Mr. Sherman was always actively interested in the growth of the village of East Dover, erecting new houses, a parsonage, remodel- ling the Baptist church and purchasing the mills in that place, investing therein several thousand dollars and running the first circu- lar board saw ever used in the town, where he carried on a very successful business in the manufacture of lumber, chair stock, sap buckets and pails, giving employment to a number of men. He also put in the first portable grist mill in town.
In 1875 he sold most of his real estate in Dover and moved to Brattleboro. He was engaged in the hardware store of C. F. Thompson & Co. for one year, when he bought out the insurance business of B. R. Jenne, taking into partnership Clarence F. R. Jenne, who became his son-in-law.
He was one of the original incorporators of the Brattleboro Savings Bank and at one time its vice-president, and has held for sev- eral terms the office of justice of the peace, which he holds at the present time. He has always been identified with the social, relig- ious, and business interests of the town.
Mr. Sherman is by faith a Baptist and was largely instrumental in raising the funds with which to liquidate the debt incurred by the erection of the present Baptist church struct- ure in Brattleboro, and served as one of the building committee when that edifice was remodeled in 1889. He is now and has been for several years the clerk and treasurer of the Windham County Baptist Association.
Mr. Sherman was chosen treasurer of the Connecticut River Mutual Fire Insurance Co. at a time when it had become financially embarrassed, and by his arduous and judicious labors the affairs of the company were set- tled upon a satisfactory basis and its debts liquidated.
SIMPSIAN.
In addition to his own minnerons business interests, Ins services have been frequently sought after in the settlement of estates and other business relations.
Mr. Sherman was first married at Dover, July 20, 1854, to Artie H., daughter of Aaron P. and Hannah Perry. Of this union there was one child, which died in infancy at Geneva, Ill. Mrs. Sherman died at Dover, Feb. 16, 1858. Mr. Sherman again married at North Leverett, Mass., Jan. 2, 1859, Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Anna ( Nichols) Farnsworth, of Halifax. Of this union were three children : Ida May ( Mrs. Clarence F. R. Jenne), Della M., and Clifton L. (editor of the Hartford, Conn., Courant ).
SHIPMAN, ELLIOT WARDSWORTH, of Vergennes, son of William W. and Elizabeth (Reed) Shipman, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 12, 1862. Both his paternal and maternal descent are from old and well- known families who early settled in the val- ley of the Connecticut, and he is directly decended from the daring Wardsworth who concealed the charter of the province in the old oak to preserve it from the clutches of the tyrannical Governor, Sir Edmund An- dros.
Mr. Shipman received a most thorough and exhaustive education and after the usual preliminary training entered the University of New York from which he graduated in 1883 having devoted his attention to a classi- cal course. He then entered the college of Physicians and Surgeons of New York and received a special diploma from the Univer- sity of Vermont, where he graduated in 1885, being honored with second prize as a reward for an essay upon a subject connected with his profession. He then served a year of active apprenticeship in the Charity and other hospitals of New York City, after which he practiced in New York City for a year and then took up his residence in Ver- gennes, where he has been a practicing physician up to the present time, making a special study and practice of diseases of the eye and ear. In this specialty he is the only practitioner between Rutland and Burling- ton. In order to increase his skill and keep up with all modern improvements in the manner of dealing with these diseases he spends a portion of the winter in New York, where he has established a connection with a New York specialist in eye, ear, nose and throat work.
Dr. Shipman though taking a deep interest in all matters pertaining to the public wel- fare, is so entirely devoted to his professional life that he cannot give much of his valuable time to discharging the duties of any public office, but he is nevertheless health officer of the city and secretary of the board of trade,
SHORES.
is a member of Vermont State Medical Society and Burlington Clinical Society. He has been prominently connected with the Lake Champlain Yacht Chib and is one of the executive committee of that institution. lle is a vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Vergennes.
He married, Nov. 15, 1889, Martha T., daughter of Charles (). and Mary E. (Par- ker) Stevens.
Dr. Shipman ranks high among the pro- fession of Vermont, as well as in his own community.
SHORES, ETHAN PRESCOTT, of Granby, son of Levi P. and Sarah ( Prescott) Shores, was born in Victory, Feb. 7, 1842. His father who still survives was one of the early settlers of the town and Ethan was from boy- hood inured to hardship and privation, but this severe training developed Hercu- lean frame and iron constitution.
He remained at home till the age of nine- teen, dividing his attention between labor and such schooling as in rare intervals he could ob- tain, but when the Rebellion came he resolved to devote that strength and manhood to the service of his country. He enlisted in Co. K, 8th Regt. Vt. Vols., and remained with it during the entire time of service, except thirty days which he spent in the hospital recover- ing from a wound, which he had received in action.
At the battle of Cedar Creek, the colors of the regiment were nearly captured, for the standard bearer had been shot and the regiment was in full retreat. Shores seized them, but too late, and with one comrade was cut off and surrounded by the enemy, who de- manded the immediate surrender of the flag. He shot one and bayonetted another of the rebels, while his comrade likewise stretched still another on the field, then breaking through the ranks around them, they rejoined their regiment which had formed in battle line a short distance in the rear. Here Ser- geant Shores delivered the colors to the proper officer, who in five minutes was shot dead, and then their former brave defender bore them throughout the remainder of that bloody fight.
At another time, though severely wounded and made prisoner, he contrived to break from his guards and after two nights and three days of weary travel and perilous ad- venture, reached the Union lines. After more than three years of brave and con- stant service he received an honorable dis- charge.
Mr. Shores settled upon the farm which he now occupies, then but an uncleared lot, and has devoted that energy and courage so sig- nally displayed upon the tented field to the subjugation of the virgin soil.
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SHUMWAY.
He was wedded, Feb. 7, 1867, to Susan Maria, daughter of Charles and Harriet (Silsby) Gleason. Their union has been blessed with four children : Etta E., Elwin P., Winifred J., and Maud E.
Mr. Shores has been appointed to many posts of honor and influence, and was se- lected to represent the town of Granby in the Legislatures of 1876 and 1878. He is a prominent member and has been W. C. T. in the Granby Lodge of I. O. G. T.
He is blunt and outspoken, of strong convictions and prejudices, but with his heart in the right place, he is always to be found on the side of temperance and right living.
SHUMWAY, JOHN QUINCY, of Jamaica, son of Lewis and Sally (Mason) Shumway, was born in Jamaica, May 19, 1835.
JOHN QUINCY SHUMWAY.
He was educated at the public schools of his native town. At nineteen years of age Mr. Shumway began his business career, and established a factory for the manufacture of butter tubs. He continued this business until 1870, when he sold out and took the position of foreman in a boot and shoe man- ufactory, the first and only establishment of the kind in Windham county.
In 1878 he received the appointment of deputy sheriff and resigned his position to accept it. He also took the agency of several leading insurance companies and devoted his entire attention to his official
SHURTLEFF.
duties as deputy sheriff and his insurance business. He continued in this line until the fall of 1888, when he received the nomi- nation of sheriff of Windham county at the hands of the Republican party, and has since that time held the position, being twice re- elected. Mr. Shumway has been justly popular in his own town, and has been chosen to perform many of the important public duties. He was first constable and collector of the taxes from 1881 to 1889. In 189.1-'92-'93 he was elected first selectman, has served as auditor, and represented his town in the Legislature of 1886, refusing a renomination in 1888, preferring to serve his county as sheriff. Since 1886 Mr. Shum- way has been a trustee of the Jamaica Sav- ings Bank, one of the successful financial institutions of the state.
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