Souza, Sherman, Huntsman, Eaton Families
My great grandmother, Julia Ann Amelia Sousa was born
Nov. 16, 1828, in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. When a child she became a member
of the German Lutheran church and has lived a devoted christian life from that time.
She was married to Peter Sherman March 1, 1849. To them were born nine children,
seven of which are living. They moved to Illinois in 1866 and to northwest Iowa in
1888. United with the Presbyterian church of this place where she was a member at
the time of her death. Her husband passed on before on March 23, 1893.
On March 18, 1911, at Morristown, South Dakota., she peacefully passed out of this life to
join the loved ones gone before. the remains were brought to this place, arriving on
Tuesday and on Wednesday morning funeral services were conducted at the M.E. church by
Rev. H.L. Shoemaker, an acquaintance and friend of the family of long years
standing. Rev. Shoemaker was assisted in the service by Father Oates.
Following are the sons and daughters who survive to mourn the loss of a beloved mother
whose memory will ever be cherished and whose influence for good will be an everlasting
monument in the hearts of all who knew her to her consistent Christian womanhood; Charles
and Sam of Inwood; Alvin of Arapahoe, Colorado., Mrs. Lydia Hiner of Grandfield,
South.Dakota.; Mrs. Elsie Huntsman of Walker, Oregon., Johnnie, of Morristown,
South.Dakota.; and Mrs. J.P. Nighbert of Madison, South.Dakota.
Those in attendance at the funeral from abroad were J.P. Nighbert and family of Madison,
South.Dakota., John Sherman of Morristown, South.Dakota., and Ralph Sherman of Ramona,
South.Dakota.
Interment was made beside her husband in the family lot in the Inwood cemetery.
Peter Sherman died at his home two miles north of Inwood, Thursday, March
23, 1893, aged 67 years, 10 months, 27 days.
The deceased was born in Burnks Co. Pennsylvania. May 2, 1825. In 1865 he removed to
Iriquoy Co. Illinois, where he resided till 1874, when with his family, he removed to
Mills County, Iowa., and in 1888 removed to Lyon County Iowa. Mr. Sherman united
with the German Reformed Church in his 21st year. In 1890 he united with the
Presbyterian church at this place and was a member of same till death.
Early in the winter he began complaining of a soreness in his foot, but at that time it
was thought to be nothing serious. The malady grew worse, however, and the alarming
symptoms of gangrene were noticed. He lay for weeks in a precarious condition.
The time came finally for an amputation of the foot, and the operation was successfully
performed. But the poison still remained in his system, causing what physical
strength there was left to rapidly weaken. Peace came at last; he was asleep in
death, and his spirit wafted to the heavenly shore. The remains were interred in the
Inwood cemetery.
Amy Loretta Sherman - Dodds:
A quote from her letter to my sister February 19, 1971 from Boise, Idaho: "I was a
school ma'am; graduated from Inwood Iowa High School. Taught my first school
for a supply for another teacher, about six miles from home (Inwood). My father took me
out on Monday A.M., and I stayed with Uncle Sam (Sherman) and Aunt Lou (Nighbert-Sherman);
could walk the distance; then my father came after me on Friday. I taught several
places, mostly as supply, as my folks wanted me to stay at home I did have the third
and fourth grades in town later. So many of our friends in Inwood moved to Idaho and
a Mr. Jackson coaxed me to come to Parma and he would see that I got a school - so I went
to summer school, (six weeks), in Albion, Idaho, all by myself on the thro' train; I had
to get off at a small place (no train service) in Minadoka and here was a 'bunch' of
school ma'ams on the platform waiting for my train. I roomed with a lovely girl from
Parma who later became my cousin by marriage. Then when I got to Parma six weeks
afterwards, my folks had beat me to Parma the night before. They had sold and my
brother Frank and family came for his health."
Obituary of Mary Ella Sherman
Mary Ella Sherman, daughter of Peter and Amelia Sherman, was born in Pennsylvania on
December 16, 1863, and passed away at Casper, Wyoming on October 21, 1933.
She moved, with her parents, in early life, to Kankakee,
Illinois, and later to Emerson, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood.
She met and married John P. Nighbert in Gage County, Nebraska, in 1881, and this union was
blessed with the following children: Raymond, Stella, Alvin, Glen, Charlie and John; Glen
having preceded her in death in 1907.
The other children, together with their father, also three brothers, Samuel, John and
Alvin Sherman and one sister, Mrs. Elsie Huntsman together with a host of relatives and
friends, are left to mourn her passing.
Mrs. Nighbert was a faithful Christian woman, a member of the Federated Church of Orland,
California, which they had made their home since 1930.
She was an active worker in Ladies' Aid society and the W.C.T.U. and other lodges, which
have for their aim the uplifting of humanity.
Her life was spent in trying to do something for someone in need, uplift the fallen and
allay suffering and distress.
The remains were brought to Inwood, Iowa, where funeral services were conducted at the
Methodist Episcopal Church by the local pastor and interment at Inwood cemetery, attended
by a crowd of sympathizing friends and relatives.
Our comfort is the life she lived and while we feel our loss, it is but Heaven's gain and
the memories of her will always be most sweet.
Charles & Ella Eaton Sherman
The first death in Indian Creek Township was Peter Huntsman in 1853, who was one of the early settlers. William, one of their sons, born January 21,1850 had a daughter, Alvira, who was the first white child born in Indian Creek Township. On the south side of Indian Creek, was their home where a sand bank was located, and the sand was used for building.
William and Almira Wirick Huntsman
Margaret Huntsman, daughter of Peter and Catherine married another early settler, Nathan Eaton. The log cabin built on their homestead was joined the Huntsman land.
Daughters of Alvin Henry Sherman and Rose Anna Huntsman-Sherman
Faye Sherman - m. Howard Lambert
Dora Sherman - m. Oscar Gudgel
Lula Sherman - m. Taylor
Almira Amelia (Allie) Sherman - m. Anderson
Log Cabin Home of Nate Eaton
Provided by Darlene Jacoby