Biography of George W. Sherk, 1902, Baker Co., Oregon: Surnames: Sherk, Walker, Barton.

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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 319

George W. Sherk 
In the large firm of Sherk, Graham Company, incorporated, we have one of the
leading wholesale and retail mercantile establishments in eastern Oregon, and
its successful establishment and prosperous continuance in the arena of
business is largely due to the fine ability both executive and financial,
coupled with excellent foresight of the senior partner in the concern, whose
name heads this article and to whom we are endeavoring to grant a
representation in this volume commensurate with his prominence and his stanch
integrity.

George W. Sherk, son of Henry and Blinda (Walker) Sherk, was born August 4,
1852, in Springfield, Ontario, Canada, and there received from the most
excellent schools of that province his education, remaining also until he had
attained manhood's estate and gained a commendable business training. In 1881
he came to Croswell, Michigan, and began a business career that demonstrated
him to be possessed of marked ability, which brought to him the rewards that
are dependent upon sagacity and probity. For eighteen years he was at the head
of one of the most successful and powerful mercantile establishments in his
section, known as the Sherk Brothers mercantile institution. In addition to
the arduous duties devolving upon him in the capacity of directing such a
concern, he was also director of the State Bank in his town, president of the
Sans Pariel Roller Miller Company, director of the Rice and Allen Company,
secretary of the Electric Light Company, besides being one year member of the
town council, three years clerk of that body, and one term president of the
same. In January, 1900, he turned from the scenes of his many and successful
labors and sought out Huntington, where he established, in connection with the
junior member of the firm, B. W. Graham, who is specifically mentioned in
another part of this work, the present large business house mentioned above.
>From the beginning there has been a large trade, which, augmented by the
strict business principles maintained and the affableness of the proprietors,
has grown to mammoth proportions. Mr. Sherk is president of this incorporation
and has invested heavily in its establishment, but it is evident that again he
was guided by sound financial wisdom, for the returns are already all that
could be wished.

Mr. Sherk and Miss Phoebe H. Barton were married in Springfield, Ontario,
February 24, 1881, and to them have been born the following children: Dafoe
H., attending the University at Eugene, Oregon; H. Everett, attending the
graded school in Huntington; Beatrice; George Barton. Mr. Sherk affiliates
with the I.O.O.F., Burnt River Lodge, No. 86, with the Masons, Foresters,
Maccabees, and Knights of the Legal Guard. Together with his wife, he is also
a member of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of Rebekah.