Biographical Sketch of Willis M. Sherwood, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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Willis M. Sherwood is a native of Orleans County, New York, born
November 15, 1818, and was there raised and educated. His father,
John, was a farmer, and Willis' early days were spent in agricultural
pursuits. At an early age he determined to become a physician, and
with that object in view, attended the Livingstown County Academy,
also the West Lynn Seminary, and for a few years attended the Crosby
Street Medical College, New York. In 1839, he went South for a short
period, and again in 1843, when he located in Duplin County, North
Carolina, where he practiced for fifteen years. In 1857, he came
North, locating in Otoe City, Nebraska, where he was Postmaster for
one year, when he then became a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri.
After coming to this city, he was appointed Justice of the Peace, and
served one year, and it is conceded by those who know, that he did
the largest business in the city ever done by one official. During
the war he was appointed First Quartermaster of the state troops in
the Northwest, with the rank of First Lieutenant. He served in this
capacity until the disbanding of the state troops, when he enlisted,
and was assigned the duty of Quartermaster Assistant by General Ben-
jamin Loan, under Colonel George H. Hall. After the war he was a
candidate for Clerk of Courts, was elected, and while serving his
term of two years was ousted from the office, caused by a party clause
in the Constitution; was re-appointed by the Governor; served his term
and was re-elected for four years. During his occupancy of the Clerk's
office, was also Clerk of the Probate Court. During the war he was
also a stockholder in the St. Joseph Union, and his pen was wielded
with a will in defense of the Union cause. He has frequently been
called to Jefferson City as a juror in the United States Court, and
has been honored by the foremanship. On May 28, 1875, as a testimonial
of their esteem, the Buchanan County bar tendered him a license to
practice. In educational affairs Mr. Sherwood has always been among
the foremost, and to him the citizens of St. Joseph are indebted to a
considerable extent for its well appointed and flourishing schools.
Religiously he is a Presbyterian, in which church he has been an active
worker for fifty years. In him the Sabbath Schools have always found
a willing and powerful assistant. He was married in 1844, to Miss
Charlotte C. Hall, of New York, daughter of Samuel B. Hall. They have
five children: M. K., Willis H., David F., Mary G. and Ella G.

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