Sherman Booth Northway (1843 - 1924)

Born 5 Sep 1843 in Orwell, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Ellen (Webb) Northway — married 8 Jul 1866 in Greene, Trumbull, Ohio, United States

Husband of Estella J. (Green) Northway — married 22 Aug 1886 in Sheffield, Ashtabula County, Ohio

Descendants

Died 21 Mar 1924 at age 80 in Monroe, Ohio, United States

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Biography

Sherman Northway was born in Appalachia, in Ohio.

Sherman Northway was an Ohioan.

Private Sherman Northway served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: August 1, 1862
Mustered out: December 29, 1862
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Co. G 105th Regiment,_Ohio_Infantry

Private Sherman Northway served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: June 24, 1863
Mustered out: June 16, 1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Co. A 6th Regiment,_Ohio_Cavalry

Books

The Story of a Thousand

Enlisted in to Company G of the 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on August 1, 1862 at age 20 as Private. He was discharged for disability December 29, 1862 at Louisville, Kentucky. — The Story of a Thousand by Albion Winegar Tourgée, Appendices, pages xxiii & xliii, published by S. McGerald & Son, 1896.

The History of the Western Reserve, Volume 2, by Harriet Upton, Editor Harry Gardner Cutler, Lewis Publishing Co., 1910, pages 1110-1111

SHERMAN BOOTH NORTHWAY

Distinguished not only as a veteran of the Civil war, but as one of the esteemed and valued citizens of Monroe township, Sherman B. Northway is a native of Ashtabula county, his birth having occurred September 5, 1843, in Orwell, on the homestead of his father, the late Rufus Northway. He belongs to a family noted for its patriotic ardor, three of his great-grandfathers and seven of his great-uncles having served bravely in the Revolutionary war.

Rufus Northway was born February 11, 1800, in New York State, where he spent the earlier years of his life. In 1830 he migrated with his family from Otsego county, New York, to Ashtabula county, Ohio. Locating in Orwell, he took up 100 acres of timber-covered land, and from a dense wilderness cleared and improved a homestead. He also followed the blacksmith’s trade in connection with his agricultural labors, having a smithy on his farm. He raised stock, kept a dairy, and acquired an excellent reputation for making fine cheese. He married Beulah Fuller, who was born May 30, 1802, and they reared four children as follows: George R., born in November, 1827, died, in 1872, in Leavenworth Kansas; William Augustus, born in 1832, died, in 1857, in Orwell, Ohio; Adelia, born in 1833, deceased; and Sherman Booth. George R. Northway enlisted, in 1861, in Company A, Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was promoted to sergeant for gallant conduct. At the battle of Enron Church, Virginia, May 28, 1864, he received five gunshot wounds, which crippled him for life and from the effects of which he died in 1873, at Leavenworth, Kansas.

Growing to manhood on the home farm, Sherman B. Northway obtained his education in the district schools. Inspired by the patriotic spirit of his ancestors, he enlisted, in August, 1862, in an Ohio regiment for service in the Civil war, but on December 29, 1962, was honorably discharged on account of ill health. On June 24, 1863, Mr. Northway re-enlisted, and served until mustered out, June 16, 1865. He was wounded in his first battle, receiving a buckshot which he still carries in his head. He was afterwards captured by the enemy, and was confined in the prisons at Andersonville, Libby, Savannah and Milan. He has since engaged to some extent in agricultural pursuits, for a number of years carrying on truck gardening.

Mr. Northway married in 1866, Ellen Webb, who died leaving two children, namely Almira E., born May 7, 1868, married G. H. Holmes, of Ashtabula, Ohio; and Ralph Elmer, born May 1, 1873, married Bessie Millencamp, and now resides in South Cincinnati. Mr. Northway married second, August 22, 1886, Mrs. Estella I. (Green) Wheeler, and they have one child, Alton, whose birth occurred January 26, 1890. Mr. Northway is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has served as an adjutant of several posts, and is at present chaplain of his own post. He was formerly a member of the State Police.

Note: The census records suggest Ellen and Sherman were divorced.

Letters

Letter to son Ralph Elmer Northway

Dear son:

About a week ago the picture sent and was glad very much pleased to receive them, you son looks fine in his uniform as the young man told his father (a G.A.R. veteran) it is in the blood Dad, perhaps it is inherited, certainly my father had 8 uncles in Washingtons army and I had 3 great grandfathers, Fuller, Drake & Miller. Miller was colenal of a Connecticut regiment, his wife was a sister to Ethan Allen. Drake was a nephew of Admiral Sir Francis Drake of the English navy, he was a captain in the Continental Army. Fuller was a surgeon. I forgot to mention that Col. Millers mother was a relative of Roger Sherman, an aunt I believe. So he comes honestly by his fighting blood, what a pity that bright American boys must be sacrificed to pay for a man mans whims. My health has been excellent this winter, the best it has been in 10 years; I have worked in storms to get fuel every day and have not had even a cold. We had 2 1/2 months of the coldest weather I have seen in 45 years. Well we have survived and I am thankful. Well Elmer I look much as I did when I last saw you, hardly any grey hairs, yet am neither bald nor stooped, can do as much work as most men of 55. Occasionally I have an attack of catarrh of the stomach, when I do I eat limburger cheese and it disappears.

Hoping that I have not wearied you with my letter,

Your father S.B. Northway

Sources

Census

United States Census, 1850, Sherman B Northway in household of Rufus Northway, Orwell, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States.

United States Census, 1860, Sherman B Northway in entry for Rufus Northway, 1860. Orwell, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States.

United States Census, 1870, Sherman Northway, 1870. Bingham, Leelanau, Michigan, United States. Farmer.

United States Census, 1880, Sherman Northwar, Greene, Trumbull, Ohio, United States. Laborer.

United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890, 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Discharged by surgeon’s certificate.

United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890, 6th Ohio Cavalry. Chronic disease of stomach. Andersonville prisoner, 6 months. Discharged by general order.

United States Census, 1900, Northway, Monroe Township, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States. Farmer.

United States Census, 1910, Sherman B Northway, Monroe, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States. Farmer.

United States Census, 1920, Sherman B Northway, Monroe, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States. Farmer.

Marriage

Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013, Sherman Northway and Ellen Webb, 28 Jun 1866; citing Marriage, Trumbull, Ohio, United States.

Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958, Sherman B. Northway and Estella Wheeler, 22 Aug 1886; citing Marriage, Ashtabula, Ohio, United States.

Military

United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865, Sherman Northway, Private, Company G, 105th Regiment, Ohio Infantry, Union.

United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865, Sherman B. Northway, Private, Company A, 6th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry, Union.

United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, Sherman B Northway, 1877. Beneficiary Estella.

Death

Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953, Sherman B Northway, 21 Mar 1924; citing Monroe, Ashtabula, Ohio.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/96374316/sherman-booth-northway: accessed 21 May 2023), memorial page for Sherman Booth Northway (5 Oct 1843–21 Mar 1924), Find a Grave Memorial ID 96374316, citing South Orwell Cemetery, Orwell, Ashtabula County, Ohio, USA; Maintained by Joel Davison (contributor 47201521).