Sherrill, K. Ellis, M. D.

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

K. Ellis Sherrill, M. D. A physician and surgeon of finisbed ability and wide experience practicing at Formoso, Doctor Sherrill located in Kansas about two years age, having previously practiced in Missouri and Arkansas. He was licensed to practice by the Missouri State Board of Examiners in 1911, by that of the Arkansas Board in 1912, and by reciprecal privileges now had the right to practice in about forty states of the Union.

Doctor Sherrill was born at Bismarck in St. Francois County, Missouri, April 7, 1873. His paternal ancestry is of English descent and was established in old Virginia in colonial times. His father, De Lafayette G. Sherrill, was born in Hall County, Georgia, in 1826 and at the age of thirteen accompanied his parents to St. Francois County, Missouri, where the family loeated on January 1, 1839. He grew to manhood there, and spent his sctive life as a farmer. However, he was a California forty-niner and for five years he carried pick and shovel up and down most of the famous gulehes of that country and was an mnusually successful prospector and miner. He died at Bismarck, Missouri, in 1900. He was a democrat and was one of the leading local members of the Baptist Church. He also belonged to the Masonic fraternity. The maiden name of his wife was Emeline Wallen, who was born in St. Francois County, Missouri, October 3, 1842, and died at Bismarck, January 18, 1914. Their children were: C. M. Sherrill, a farmer at Bismarek, Missouri; R. L. Sherrill, also a farmer there; Doctor Sherrill; H. D., a farmer at Bismarck; and Mary Ellen, who died at the age of three months.

Doctor Sherrill was educated in public schools at Bismarck, graduating from high school in 1892. Like so many successful professional men he had considerable experience as a teacher. He taught school in the various districts of St. Francois County for about fifteen years. In 1907 he entered Barnes University at St. Louis, where he completed his course and received his M. D. degree in 1911. He had returned to the university three different summers for postgraduate work. Doctor Sherrill practiced at Knoblock, Missouri, from July, 1911, until January, 1912, when he became house surgeon for the Missouri-Pacific Railway Hospital at Little Rock, Arkansas. After twelve months he diversifled his experience still further by becoming lumber camp physician and surgeon for the A. J. Neimeyer Lumber Company in Arkansas. Thus with a thorough training and many exceptional qualifications Doctor Sherrill began practice at Formoso, Kansas, in 1915. He had already built up a very gratifying general practice. His offices are on Main Street and he is a member of the county and state medical societies and the American Medical Association.

While living in his native county Doctor Sherrill was recorder of vital statistics. In politics he is a Democrat. A believer in fraternalism, he had identified himself with a number of the best orders. He is senior warden of Formoso Lodge No. 336, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is a member of Copestone Chapter No. 33, Royal Arch Masons, at De Soto, Missouri, had Scottish Rite afflliations with Arkansas Consistory at Little Rock, and is a member of Isis Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Salina. He is past patron of Formoso Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was one of the organizers and first worthy patron of Sabylla Chapter of that order at Bismarck, Missouri. He also belongs to the Kansas Fraternal Citizens, Lovewell Lodge No. 647, Independent Order Odd Fellows, Superior Encampment No. 63 of Odd Fellows, and Concordia Lodge No. 386, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a life member of the Red Cross.

Doctor Sherrill first married at St. Louis, in 1898, Miss Mary Robadenx. She died in 1904, leaving four children: Alta and De Lafayette G., both students in high school; and Hardee and M. M., who are still in the grade schools. In 1906, at Bismarck, Missouri, Doctor Sherrill married Miss Isabelle Pyrtle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Pyrtle, who live at Glen Allen, Missouri, her father being a railroad man. Dr. and Mrs. Sherrill have seven young children, named Hoke K., Pinekney E, Sydney H., Ellibelle Korania and Armon Hadlai, twings, Harmon Adlai and Consuella Charmion.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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