Amaziah Sherman
Surnames: Merchant, Finch, Jones, Johnson
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 224
AMAZIAH SHERMAN, a leading farmer of La Prairie Township, residing on section 11, is numbered among the early settlers of this county, dating his residence back to May, 1847. He was born in Albany County, N.Y., in the year 1822, and is the son of Almrin and Prudence (MERCHANT) SHERMAN, the former a native of Nantucket Island, and the latter of Albany County, N.Y. His paternal grandfather, Amaziah SHERMAN, was born in Rhode Island of Welsh descent, and throughout his life followed the sea, being Captain of a vessel.
Mr. SHERMAN, the father of our subject, engaged in agricultural pursuits during his younger days, but in after years dealt in lumber. Accompanied by his family, he emigrated to the west in 1846, and choosing Rock County, Wis., for his future home, took up his residence on section 11, La Prairie Township. Entering a claim of eighty acres, he immediately began improving the farm, but after three short years had passed, he departed this life, dying at the age of forty-nine. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1878, at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of four children: Adelman, born in January, 1821, became a resident of Rock county in 1844, driving a team from New York, and in this community his death occurred in January, 1875; Amaziah is the next in order of birth; George, who was born in 1825, emigrated to this county in 1846, locating on section 11, La Prairie Township, but subsequently removed to section 8, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in November, 1883; Jane, the youngest, was the wife of Philander M. FINCH, of Janesville; she was called to her final rest in March, 1889. The father of this family was numbered among the prominent and respected citizens of La Prairie Township. He took great interest in political affairs, casting his ballot with the Whig party, and while residing in New York, served as Captain of the State Militia.
The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life, and also aided his father in the lumber business. His education was received in the common school, and in his native State the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. In 1847 he left New York and emigrated to Wisconsin, taking up his residence in Rock County. He entered a claim of eight acres on section 11, La Prairie Township, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, but has since disposed of half that amount.
Two years previous to his removal to the West, Mr. SHERMAN was united in marriage with Miss Harriet A. JONES, a native of New York, but her death occurred about thirty-five years ago. He was again married, in the month of September 1857, at which time he wedded Sarah JOHNSON, a native of Yates County, N.Y., and a daughter of Daniel H. and Nancy M. (FINCH) JOHNSON, who were also born in the same State. The death of the father occurred in New York, and her mother died in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. SHERMAN are the parents of two children: Walter, who is at home; and Fred, a carpenter by trade, now living in Chicago. In his political sentiments Mr. SHERMAN is a Republican, and has held the office of Township Treasurer, and also that of Supervisor for several years. Socially, he is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and is a man who takes great interest in public affairs, being well informed on all the leading issues of the day.