Sherwood, Frank Hubert

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

Frank Hubert Sherwood was for many years a successful farmer in Elk County, but in recent years had been owner and had succeeded in developing a very strong independent telephone company at Grenola, and now gives his time and attention to the management of this exchange. Mr. Sherwood also enjoys the distinction of being the mayor of Grenola.

The Sherwoods came originally from England, settling in Virginia in colonial days, and Mr. Sherwood's grandfather, William Sherwood, was born in that state. He was an early settler in Southern Indiana, owned a farm in Bartholomew County, and died at Columbus in that state before Frank H. Sherwood was born.

Columbus, Indiana, was also the birthplace of Mr. Frank H. Sherwood. His birthday was June 10, 1869. His father, John B. Sherwood, who was born September 19, 1836, also in Bartholomew County, Indiana, followed farming all his life, and in April, 1886, came to Kansas, locating at Winchester in Jefferson County. He died at Dunavant in Jefferson County January 11, 1915. He was a republican in politics. He was married in Bartholomew County, Indiana, to Miss Sarah Frances Hays, who was born in that county November 20, 1838. She still makes her home at Dunavant, being now in her seventy-ninth year. There were six children. Oscar Melville, who was born at Columbus, Indiana, November 28, 1861, was a merchant, and died at Chicago, Illinois, September 20, 1914. Mary Elizabeth, born October 3, 1864, is unmarried and resided with her mother. The third in age is Frank H. Sherwood. John Wallace, born January 11, 1871, manages the old homestead for his mother. Samuel Percy, born August 1, 1872, is a ranchman at Sage View, Oregon. Prudence J., born January 2, 1874, is the wife of R. H. Shore, who owned the Winchester Telephone Exchange at Winchester, Kansas, where they reside.

Mr. Frank H. Sherwood was about seventeen years of age when his parents moved to Kansas. Most of his education was acquired in the common schools of Bartholomew County, Indiana, but for one term he was in the schools of Jefferson County, Kansas. After leaving school he did farm work in Jefferson County, and was employed by others from the spring of 1886 until February, 1897.

In the spring of 1898, in Elk County, Mr. Sherwood married Miss Mary A. Adams, daughter of O. P. and Susan Helen (Eastman) Adams. Her parents reside on their farm near Grenola. After his marriage Mr. Sherwood continued as a practical farmer in Elk County until 1909, in which year he removed to Grenola and bought the Central Telephone Exchange. He now owned a half interest in this business, supplying service to Grenola and the adjacent country. Among other interests he owned a farm of 160 acres in Baker County, Colorado, and his residence on Bois D'Arc and Caney streets in Grenola.

Although his career had been one of hard work and close attention to his duties, Mr. Sherwood had not neglected the public welfare. He served as a member of the council at Grenola, was on the school board in Greenfield Township of Elk County, and in April, 1915, was elected to the post of mayor. Under his administration the best interests of the town have been carefully looked after, and one item of improvement in particular that should be mentioned is the notable increase in construction of substantial cement sidewalks. Mr. Sherwood is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association.

He and his wife are the parents of five children: Elizabeth, born December 1, 1898, a senior in the Grenola High School; Francis Marlin, born June 22, 1901, a member of the sophomore class of the high school; Joy Lester, born December 9, 1906, in the grammar school; Vera Maxine, born February 15, 1912; and Eula Pauline, born November 17, 1915.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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