Death of Buren R. Sherman.

Ex-Governor Buren R, Sherman died very suddenly at his home in Vinton on the evening of Nov. 11th — though in poor health for years he had been around as usual during the day. He returned home on the 5:30 train from Clinton where he had been on Masonic business, stopping at Cedar Rapids on his way, and went to his room where he was found in an unconscious condition about 7:30, passing away soon after.

Bro. Sherman was born in Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y., May 28th, 1836. He removed to Iowa in 1855. Admitted to the practice of law in 1859. Enlisted in Co. G., 13th Iowa Infantry, being made Captain of his Company. He served three terms as Auditor of State, and in 1881 was elected as the eleventh Governor of Iowa and re-elected in 1883.

Bro. Sherman was a genial, whole-souled gentleman and an active member for many years in the Masonic bodies of the state. Was Grand Commander in 1872 and at the time of his death was the Active 33d for Iowa under the Supreme Council Southern Jurisdiction of America and in his day was one of the best workers in the state, and a fine public speaker. He was buried Sunday the 13th at his home in Vinton, Cyprus Commandery, of which he was a member, taking charge of the ceremonies. His old friend, Judge A. R. Dewey, of Washington delivered an address which was said to be as fine and touching a bit of oratory as had ever been heard in Vinton. Coming from the heart of the speaker it went with its messages of love and sympathy and consolation direct to the hearts of his hearers. Bernard Murphy, an old neighbor, presented a fine biographical sketch of our brother whose tongue and pen always championed and advocated principles of right and justice to all.

SOURCE: Quarterly Bulletin Grand Lodge Iowa A. F. & A. M., Vol. 7 (1904), No.4, p. 99

Buren Robinson Sherman

SHERMAN, Buren Robinson, governor of Iowa. b. in Phelps, N. Y., 28 May, 1836. In 1849 the family removed to Elmira, where he attended the public schools, and in 1852 was apprenticed to a jeweler. In 1855 the family emigrated to Iowa, where he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1859, and began practice in Vinton in January, 1860. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the 13th Iowa infantry, was promoted lieutenant, was severely wounded at Shiloh, and advanced to captain for gallant conduct on the field, but in the summer of 1863 his wounds compelled him to resign. On his return he was elected county judge of Benton county, which post he resigned in 1866 to accept the office of clerk of the district court, to which he was three times re-elected. He was chosen auditor of the state in 1874, and twice reelected, retiring in January, 1881. In 1882-6 he was governor of Iowa. During his two terms of service many new questions were presented for settlement, among which was that of total prohibition of the liquor traffic, which Gov. Sherman favored in letters and speeches. He held public officers to strict accountability, and removed a high state official for [willful] misconduct. In 1885 he received the degree of LL. D. from the University of Iowa.

SOURCE: James Grant Wilson & John Fiske, Appleton's Cyclopædia Of American Biography, Vol. 5, p. 500