Death of Maj. Sherrard
John Broom Sherrard was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, (now West Virginia), December 13th, 1822, and died at the home of his son, D. G. Sherrard, near Burnet, Texas, November 30th, 1912. He was therefore within thirteen days of ninety years old.
His father was an Irishman, who came to America in his youth, from London Derry, where people of the name still live.
Mr. Sherrard was educated at the Virginia Military Institute. He became a merchant and prospered. He married Miss Susa A. Gibson. To them were born six children -- two of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Sherrard died in 1858.
When the war came on he went into the Confederate Army, as Captain of Company K, in A. T. Hill's Regiment
and was afterward promoted to Major. He was a personal friend of
General Gill and belonged to his command during the war, and was in
some dreadful battles, particularly at Cold Harbor, when a brother, his wife's brother and two cousins, all in his old company were killed.
He was a prisoner for some time at Camp Chase. At the close of the war, or soon after, he went into business at Canton, Miss., where he prospered. At this time he educated his children in Virginia. Two of these are still living, Capt. D. G. Sherrard and Mrs. Annie Mallett. His son, Robert, and his daughter, Mrs. Bentley, have been dead many years.
He came to Texas in 1872, and was in business in Sherman for a time, and came to Burnet County in 1875 and lived here till his death.
He loved not only his own Church, but the Whole Church.
He had a great faith and was a man of prayer. He preached a great
sermon by his life. He read a great deal and was a polished
gentleman, and a warm and generous friend.
G. W. D.
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