My Genealogy Hound

SHERMAN S. AVERY, a citizen and prominent lawyer of Forestville, New York, was the son of Dr. Amos R. and Lucina (Allen) Avery and was born in Forestville, Chautauqua county, New York, November 4th, 1850. His grandfather Avery was a resident of east central New York and was a victim of the memorable Wyoming massacre at which his entire family, consisting of eight persons, were taken prisoners by the Indians, but at the expiration of eight days, after having been subjected to the most cruel treatment, were released. The father of Sherman S. Avery was born in Brookville, Madison county, New York, in 1805, of New England parentage. He was a physician by profession and in the year 1833 came to Forestville, New York, where he established a residence and pursued his practice until his death in 1881. For some years prior to his death he was the oldest practicing physician in Chautauqua county, Dr. Avery was graduated at Fairfield Medical College, was learned in the various branches of medical science and enjoyed the high esteem and respect of all those with whom he came in contact. Religiously he held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Forestville, which he warmly supported.

His marriage resulted in the birth of two children: Agnes, wife of J. E. White (deceased), who prior to his death was engaged in the real estate business, and Sherman S. (subject).

Sherman S. Avery received his education in the public and high schools and later in the universities of Michigan and Cornell, from the latter of which he was graduated in a classical and scientific course. Upon the completion of his academic and collegiate education, he went to Franklin, Penna. and entered the law office of Lee & Dodd, with a view to fitting himself for the profession of the law. While he was pursuing his law studies, he was in the employ of C. D. Angel, so that only a part of his time was devoted to his studies. He was admitted to the Venango county, Penna. bar, where he opened an office and practiced until 1872, at which time he formed a law partnership with Hon. George H. Bemus, an ex-member of the Legislature, and opened an office at Fairview, Penna. By this time Mr. Avery had become well and favorably known to the business men of the oil regions and H. L. Taylor, the leading operator of Butler county, sought his services, and tendered him the position of cashier of the Argyle Savings Bank, which he accepted and held for about one year. He had now convinced his employers, H. L. Taylor & Co., whose business had become very extensive, lucrative and complicated, that his services would be more valuable to them as their confidential legal adviser, than as cashier of their banking house, and he was accordingly promoted and soon afterwards admitted as a member of the firm, and continued such until his death — which occurred July 9, 1879. In the legal world, as well as in the business world, he was regarded as a young man of brilliancy and ability. Politically he allied himself with neither of the great parties, holding it to be a special prerogative to cast his vote and give his support independent of party creeds. During Horace Greeley’s candidacy for nomination to the presidency of the United States, he took the stump in his behalf and did very efficient service. Mr. Avery was a prominent secret society man, belonging to the Free Masons, A. O. U. W. and Knights of Honor.

On June 26th, 1873, Mr. Avery united in marriage with Mary Swift, a daughter of Herman and Betsy (Jackson) Swift of Forestville, Chautauqua county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Avery had four children: Agnes, Bessie, Hascal and Marv Sherman.