Isaac Sherman (1818-1881)
Lumber Merchant, of Buffalo & West 20th Street, New York City
He was born in Petersburgh, Rensselaer County, New York. From 1840, he worked in the lumber and staves business in Buffalo. He was encouraged to run for election as the Democrat's Member of Assembly from Erie County in 1845, and for Mayor in 1846 and 1847, but he lost all three contests. He did not involve himself directly with politics again, but he was active in the organization of the Republican Party and supported Lincoln's candidacy in 1860, serving as one of the President's unofficial advisors during the Civil War. He was an opponent of legal tender notes, and later advocated repeal of federal income tax. In 1853, he moved to New York City where he established a partnership first with Benjamin F. Romaine and then with Henry Wibirt.
After retiring in 1866, he invested heavily in railroads, particularly in the South. He was given a doctoral degree from the University of Rochester of in recognition of his contributions to the school and his achievements in political economy. He married Elizabeth Wetherell and they had one daughter, Cornelia, who was sole heiress to his estate of $7-million dollars. Cornelia became Mrs Bradley Martin and both she and her husband were famous for being among the most conspicuous figures in Gilded Age society. His granddaughter, Cornelia Martin, became the 4th Countess of Craven.
After retiring in 1866, he invested heavily in railroads, particularly in the South. He was given a doctoral degree from the University of Rochester of in recognition of his contributions to the school and his achievements in political economy. He married Elizabeth Wetherell and they had one daughter, Cornelia, who was sole heiress to his estate of $7-million dollars. Cornelia became Mrs Bradley Martin and both she and her husband were famous for being among the most conspicuous figures in Gilded Age society. His granddaughter, Cornelia Martin, became the 4th Countess of Craven.
