Frank Hubert Sherwood (biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, by William El Connelley
Vol. V     page 2233



FRANK HUBERT SHERWOOD, was for many years a successful farmer in Elk County, but in recent years has been owner and has succeeded in developing a very strong independent telephone company at Grenola, and now gives his time and attention to the management of this exchange.  Mr. Sherwood also enjoys the distinction of being the mayor of Grenola.

The Sherwood's came originally from England, settling in Virginia in colonial days and Mr. Sherwood's grandfather, William Sherwood, was born in that state. He was an early settler in southern Indiana , owned a farm in Bartholomew County, and died at Columbus in that state before  Frank H. Sherwood was born.

Columbus, Indiana was also the birthplace of Mr. Frank H. Sherwood.  His birthday was June 10, 1869.  his father, John B. Sherwood, who was born September 19, 1836, also in Bartholomew County, Indiana, followed farming all of his life, and in April 1886, came to Kansas, locating at Winchester in Jefferson county.  He died at Dunavant, in Jefferson county, January 11, 1915.  He was a republican in politics.  He was married in Bartholomew county, Indiana to Miss Sarah Frances Hays, who was born in that county November 20, 1838.  She still makes her home at Dunavant, being now in her seventy-ninth year. There were six children.  Oscar Melville, who was born at Columbus, Indiana, November 28, 1861, was a merchant and died at Chicago, Illinois, September 20, 1914.  Mary Elizabeth, born October 3, 1864, is unmarried and resides with her mother.  The third in age is Frank H. Sherwood.  John Wallace, born January 11, 1871, manages the old homestead for his mother.  Samuel Percy, born August 1, 1872, is a ranchman at Sage View, Oregon.  Prudence J. born January 2, 1874, is the wife of R. H.  Shore, who owns the Winchester Telephone Exchange  at Winchester, Kansas, where they reside.

Mr. Frank H. Sherwood was about seventeen years of age when his parents moved to Kansas.  Most of his education was acquired in the common schools of Bartholomew County, Indiana, but for one term, he was in the schools of Jefferson county, Kansas.  After leaving school he did farm work in Jefferson county, and was employed by others from the spring of 1886 until February 1897.

In the spring of 1898, in Elk County, Mr. Sherwood married Miss Mary A. Adams, daughter of O.P. and Susan Helen (Eastman) Adams.  Her parents reside on their farm near Grenola. After his marriage Mr. Sherwood continued as a practical farmer in Elk County until 1909, in which year he removed to Grenola and bought the Central Telephone Exchange.  He now owns a half-interest in this business, supplying service to Grenola and the adjacent country.  Among other interests he owns a farm of 160 acres in Baker county, Colorado, and his residence on Bois D'Arc and Caney streets in Grenola.

Although his career has been one of hard work and close attention to his duties, Mr. Sherwood has not neglected the public welfare.  He served as a member of the council at Grenola, was on the school board in Greenfield Township of Elk County, and in April 1915, was elected to the post of mayor.  Under his administration the best interests of the town have been carefully looked after, and one item of improvement in particular that should be mentioned is the notable increase in construction of substantial cement sidewalks. Mr. Sherwood is a member  of the Anit-Horse Thief Association.

He and his wife are the parents of five children:  Elizabeth, born December 1, 1898, a senior in the Grenola high school; Francis Marlin, born June 22, 1901, a member of the sophomore class of the high school; Joy Lester, born December 9, 1906, in the grammar school; Vera Maxine, born February 15, 1912, and Eula Pauline,  born November 17, 1915.