Caro, Biographies, Indian Fields, Tuscola Co., MI

This history was extracted from "History of Tuscola and Bay Counties, Mich.
with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of their Prominent Men 
and Pioneers", published in Chicago by H. R. Page & Co. (1883), p. 93-104

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.



***********************************************************************
ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any 
format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. 
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the 
written consent of the contributor or the legal representative of the 
submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this 
consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to 
store the file permanently for free access.

http://www.usgwarchives.net

***********************************************************************




WILLIAM E. SHERMAN was born July 25, 1829, in Farmington, Oakland County, 
Mich., where he was brought up on a farm. He came to Tuscola County with his 
father in 1851, locating in what is now Indian Fields. They built the first 
house in the township. He lived with his father until 1853, when he got married 
to Sarah E. McGlone, of Juniata. He then opened and kept a hotel at 
Watrousville, which he afterward sold, and went to farming in Juniata. Previous 
to this, however, he had bought lands in Almer, Ellington and Indian Fields. In 
1859 he left his Juniata farm and came to Indian Fields, where he has resided 
since. He has been identified with the rise and growth of what is now the 
flourishing village of Caro from the time it was a nameless place. He kept the 
second hotel in what is now Caro, calling it the "Centerville House," which gave 
the name to the village which grew up around it.

    Among the many business enterprises and industries which Mr. Sherman has 
been connected with may be mentioned the following: In 1859 he built and opened 
the first store in what is now Caro. In 1861 built a shop and started a 
shoemaker in business. In 1865 started a foundry at which were made the first 
plows, etc., in the county, except at Vassar. In 1867 made the first brick in 
this part of the county. The yard was near where the present railroad depot now 
stands. He sold that and started another on some land he leased near the mouth 
of Sucker Creek, now owned by Geo. W. Warren. At this yard was made the brick 
put into the first brick building in Caro. It was known as the "Sherman Block." 
It is now owned and occupied by J. D. Wilsey & Co., and was erected in 1869.

    In the year 1859 he commenced selling goods. In 1866 he formed a co-
partnership with Charles Montague, which continued some three years. In 1871 he 
was a member of the firm Gamble, McPhail & Co., who, in addition to their store, 
run a grist and a saw-mill. This latter firm continued in existence until 1874.

    In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Sherman has, ever since he has been in 
Tuscola County, been engaged in lumbering, excepting the last few years, owing 
to ill health.

    By his first wife he had three children. In 1877 he was again married to 
Miss Mary Imrie, of Mt. Morris, Genesee County, Mich.