Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 983 - 984

DANIEL SHERWOOD, a retired farmer, now doing business as a capitalist in the city of Wichita, purchased property in this city in 1883, but did not take up his residence here until 1887. He is the owner of two good dwellings in the city, and of a large and valuable stock ranch of 680 acres in Grant Township, where he raises fine Jersey cattle and blooded horses.

            Both Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood come from families who were notable in the annals of Connecticut from early Colonial times, and they are themselves natives of that illustrious New England State. Mr. Sherwood was born in Fairfield County, June 26, 1818, and was the son of Gershom and Laura (Darling) Sherwood, both natives of Connecticut. The date of his father's birth was July 14, 1786, and the date of his mother's was April 8, 1788. His father was a man of decided force of character, and was influential in public affairs. In the years 1827 and 1830 he was a member of the State Legislature, and was also a member of the Official Board. He was prominent in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was Class-Leader in that denomination. In 1837 he removed with his family to New York State, and there successfully prosecuted his vocation of farming until his death in the town of Benton, Sept. 27, 1867. He was twice married and three sons were born to him by his first marriage, all of whom are deceased. His second wife, to whom he was married Dec. 28, 1814, survived him until Feb. 15, 1880, having attained the venerable age of ninety-two years, ten months and seven days. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and during her long life was a consistent Christian woman. She was the mother of four children, namely: Aaron, Daniel, Benjamin D. and Walter J.; the latter two are deceased.

            Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving from his parents a good training in ways of thrift, usefulness and honesty. His education was conducted in the public schools of his native State, which has ever been noted for the superior educational advantages she gave her children. In 1837 he removed to New York with his parents, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. On the 28th of February, 1847, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Abba A. Sanford, the Rev. Parsons C. Hastings, a noted Presbyterian divine of the State of New York, performing the ceremony. Mrs. Sherwood was the only child of Frederic A. and Maria (Bradley) Sanford, natives of the State of Connecticut, and was born in Weston, Fairfield County, Feb, 23, 1826. The Sanford family had occupied an important position in the State affairs of Connecticut since its first settlement. Oliver C. Sanford, Mrs. Sherwood's uncle, was a member of the State Legislature for many years, holding his seat and taking part in the councils of that body for a longer term than any citizen of the United States ever held a like position. In the annals of the Sanford family is a reminiscence of slave-holding in Puritan New England. The uncle above referred to owned slaves for many years, as did also the grandfather of Mrs. Sherwood, her mother having a slave to wait on her, and it is said that her father paid $200 for the negro child. Mrs. Sherwood is a woman of superior refinement and culture, and was a graduate of a High School in her native State.

            After marriage our subject and his wife made their home in New York State, and there spent forty years of their wedded life. During those long years Mr. Sherwood was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and by his intelligent and well-directed energy and perseverance, gathered together quite a large amount of property. In 1887 he and his wife left the home which they had established in their younger days, around which clustered so many associations, and where their children had been born to them, and in the sunny valley of the Arkansas River they have come to make a new home. In this hospitable country they have met with a ready welcome, and have already made warm friends among the people, who early recognized their genuine worth.

            Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood have four children, namely: Laura M., born July 30, 1849; Levi F., Oct. 21, 1850; Frederic A., Aug. 25, 1852; and Gershon B., April 7, 1855. Laura married Edward S. Rice, and they are now residents of Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y.; Levi is a resident of this city; he married Miss Susie M. Douglas. Frederic married Miss Effie C. Dodd; he is a member of the firm of Sherwood & Rumsey, Rochester, N. Y., dealers in leather and findings. Levi F. is associated with his father in all the business transactions of the latter's ranch, and now manages it. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood have three grandchildren, namely: Frederic S. Rice, born Dee. 31, 1871; Lulu A., Aug. 15, 1873; Carolyn, April 13, 1883.

            Our subject is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He and his wife have a very commodious and tastefully furnished home, pleasantly located in a pretty part of the city. Everyone who visits it is especially attracted by Mrs. Sherwood's beautiful cabinet, containing a large and valuable collection of geological formations and other curiosities, among which is a reminiscence of her childhood days, a collection of 1,500 buttons, which she has been gathering together since she was eight years old, and no two of which are alike. A fine view of the stock farm of Mr. Sherwood is shown elsewhere in this work.

[ Home ]