My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES H. SHERMAN. Railroading has now assumed the first place among the chief industries of the world, having more capital invested and giving employment to a greater number of people than any other one occupation in the world. Among those who have seen this industry grow from insignificance to the pinnacle of greatness is Charles H. Sherman, who was born to Levi D. and Hannah F. (Fairbanks) Sherman, at Boston, Massachusetts, on August 14, 1818. Levi D. Sherman was also a native of Boston, born in 1784, and upon reaching manhood was a contractor until his death which occurred when Charles was but nine years old. He came of American parents and was an orthodox church member. Hannah F. Fairbanks, too, was a strict church member. They were married in 1809, and reared a family of five children. She died in Boston in 1881.

Charles H. Sherman was reared in “The Hub of the Universe,” and was educated in the schools of that city. After leaving school he was apprenticed in a machine shop from which he emerged in 1839 a journeyman workman, and entered the employ of what now is the Boston and Maine railroad, beginning as a fireman, as was customary in those days, and two years later was transferred to the right side of the cab. He remained in the employ of that company as engineer for ten years, but in 1851 left them and came to the Erie railway, remaining with it, in various capacities ever since. When the road was completed to Dunkirk in 1851, it was made the occasion of a National celebration in which the president of the United States, Millard Fillmore, Daniel Webster and the entire Cabinet and Stephen A. Douglas took part and delivered addresses. Mr. Sherman was the engineer who pulled the train carrying these distinguished people, who were saluted with the ringing of bells, the booming of cannons and the shouts of an assembled multitude. A year later Mr. Sherman was advanced to the position of engine dispatcher and round-house foreman, and held that situation for about seventeen years when he was again advanced; this time to traveling foreman and road inspector of motive power, retaining it until 1880, since which he has been foreman of the engine and car repair shops.

Charles H. Sherman, on October 9, 1842, married Marinda S., daughter of Stephen Sleeper, who lived at Fremont, N. H., and they have two sons: Clarence A. and William H. The former is a machinist in the Dunkirk & Warren railroad shops; and William H., is living in Denver Colorado, where he is employed in a broker’s office.

C. H. Sherman is a republican and has served for several years on the Dunkirk school board and as town trustee. He held membership in the Volunteer Fire department for many years and was its first chief engineer. He also takes an active interest in secret societies, is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge, No. 152, of the Chapter, No. 191, Council, No. 25, and Commandery, No. 40, of which he was commander for four years. In addition to this, at one time, he held the office of district deputy for the I. O. O. F., and is still a member of Olympia Lodge, No. 602. Mr. Sherman is a thorough mechanic, which is evinced by the fact that he has remained so long with a company who employ none but the best.