James S. Sherman, 27th Vice President of the United States

From Wikipedia:

27th VP of US

In office Mar 4 1909–Oct 30 1912

President William Howard Taft

Preceded by Charles W Fairbanks

Succeeded by Thomas R Marshall

Mbr US House of Rep from NY's 23rd Dist

In office Mar 4 1887–Mar 3 1891

Preceded by John T Spriggs

Succeeded by Henry W Bentley

Mbr US House of Rep from NY's 25th Dist

In office Mar 4 1893–Mar 3 1903

Preceded by James J Belden

Succeeded by Lucius N Littauer

Mbr US House of Rep from NY's 27th Dist

In office Mar 4 1903–Mar 3 1909

Preceded by Michael E Driscoll

Succeeded by Charles S Millington

Mayor Utica, NY

In office 1884

Born Oct 24 1855, Utica, NY

Died Oct 30 1912 (age 57), Utica, NY

Nationality American

Political party Republican

Spouse(s) Carrie Babcock Sherman

Alma mater Hamilton College

James Schoolcraft Sherman (Oct 24 1855–Oct 30 1912) was US Rep from NY & 27th VP of US. He was mbr of Baldwin, Hoar, & Sherman families.

Early life

Sherman b in Utica, NY, son of Richard Updike Sherman & his distant cousin Mary Frances Sherman, he gained his early education thru private schools. He attended Hamilton College, where he was mbr of Sigma Phi fraternity, & graduated in 1878. He then studied law for 2 yrs, & was admitted to bar in 1880.

Law & Business

Sherman practiced law at Utica firm of Cookingham & Martin, & was nicknamed "Sunny Jim" for his positive disposition. He m Carrie Babcock in 1881. He also served as president of Utica Trust & Deposit Co & New Hartford Canning Co during this period; in 1884, he became mayor of Utica.

US Representative

In 1886, Sherman was elected US Rep from NY's 23rd congressional dist as Republican, defeating incumbent John S Spriggs in close election. He was re-elected in another close election in 1888. But in 1890 (Democrat landslide yr) he was narrowly defeated by Henry W Bentley. In 1892, Sherman defeated Bentley, again in close race (now in 25th Dist, NY's districts having been redrawn in 1891). In 1894, Sherman was easily re-elected, as he was in next 6 elections, serving until elected VP in 1908. He served in various positions in Congress, including Chrman of House Committee on Indian Affairs. In 1898, he briefly became candidate for Speaker of House. In 1899, he was offered post of Genl Appraiser of Port of NY by Pres William McKinley. Sherman declined position aft hearing vocal opposition from his Utica constituents.

Vice President

He was 1st VP to throw out ceremonial 1st pitch. In 1908, Sherman was nominated as Republican candidate for VP on ticket w/William Howard Taft, supported by over 4/5 of delegates. During 1908 campaign, Sherman was attacked by Los Angeles atty Edmund Burke. Burke claimed he was former partner of Sherman in NM Lumber & Dev Co, & Sherman had used his position in Congress to arrange improper land purchase. But this attack had no effect on election: Taft & Sherman won easily. In 1911, Sherman became 1st sitting VP to fly in airplane. His flight took place in NY & lasted under 5 min.

1912 election & illness

Sherman had also been diagnosed w/gallstones during this period, & was told kidney trouble was causing his problems. By following strict diet, he was able to manage his lingering condition aft taking office Mar 4 1909. However, his strong work ethic played major role in deterioration of his health over course of 1912 pres campaign. Jun 1912, Sherman became 1st incumbent VP to be renominated by Natl Convention. (1840 Dem convention did not actually renominate VP Richard M Johnson; it refused to choose replacement.) Ensuing campaign saw Taft in stiff 3-way battle w/Dem Woodrow Wilson & former US Pres Theodore Roosevelt, latter candidate having previously been in nasty feud w/Sherman over control of NY Rep Pty.

Death

Sherman d in Utica few days prior to election. Rep Natl Committee named Columbia Univ Pres Nicholas M Butler to replace Sherman & receive any electoral votes for him. However, Republicans only carried 2 states for total of 8 electoral votes, so this did not matter. James S Sherman was interred in Forest Hill Cem, Utica.

From conservapedia.com:

James S Sherman (1855-1912) was US Rep from NY & VP of US under William Howard Taft. James Schoolcraft Sherman b in Utica, NY to Richard Updike Sherman & Mary Frances Sherman. His paternal grandfather, Willett Sherman, was prominent business man in Utica, operating well off glass factory & owner of lrg farm. In college, Sherman joined Sigma Phi fraternity & was active in Dutch Reform Church. He came to be known as "Sunny Jim" for his congenial disposition. Elected to US House of Rep in 1886, Sherman was supporter of high tariffs, as advocated by William McKinley, measure seen by supporters as protecting interests of US producers, manufacturers & labor. Sherman lost his seat in 1890 over high tariff issue, but was reelected in 1890 & remained US Rep until he became VP in 1909. As VP, Sherman was well ahead of his time in advocating strait connecting Atlantic & Pacific oceans, altho he wanted this to be done thru Nicaragua, as opposed to Panama, ostensibly because of deaths had occurred when French builders dug there in 1880s. Whether to build canal in Nicaragua or Panama had been previously debated as far back as Grant Admin, & Sherman came out clearly in favor of Nicaragua. Sherman was also advocate for expanded Native Am rights, but, as President of Senate, was mostly concerned w/proper parliamentary procedure. Aft bitter fight w/Theodore Roosevelt for control of NY Rep Pty, 1 that contributed to Roosevelt's establishment of Bull Moose Pty, Sherman found Pres William Howard Taft & himself fighting 3-way battle for reelection in 1912. Sherman passed away Oct 20 1912, days bef election day. His electoral votes were given to Nicolas Murray Butler, then Pres of Columbia Univ.

James S. Sherman, Vice Pres. with William Howard Taft, served from 1909 to 1912, b. Utica, N.Y. Oct 24, 1855; d. Oct. 30, 1912, buried Forest Hill, Utica, N.Y., he was son of Richard U. and Mary F. (Sherman) Sherman. He was educated at Utica and Hamilton College, at Clinton, N.Y. Grad. In 1878.

Notes for James Schoolcraft Sherman: Vice-President of the United States. A marble bust of James Schoolcraft Sherman has the distinction of being the only vice-presidential bust in the United States Capitol with eyeglasses. Sherman apparently had thought that no one would recognize him without his glasses. However, over time he has grown so obscure that no one recognizes him even with his glasses. Capitol visitors often confuse him with the more famous Senator John Sherman, author of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Yet while he never authored a famous bill, "Sunny Jim" Sherman was a powerful leader in the House of Representatives, a skilled parliamentarian, and a popular presiding officer of the Senate during his vice-presidency under William Howard Taft.

27th Vice President of the United States

Sherman was born in Utica, New York. The son of Richard Updike Sherman and his distant cousin Mary Frances Sherman, he gained his early education through private schools. He attended Hamilton College, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity, and graduated in 1878. He then studied law for two years, and was admitted to the bar in 1880.

Law and business

Sherman practiced law at the Utica firm of Cookingham & Martin, and was nicknamed "Sunny Jim" for his positive disposition. He married Carrie Babcock in 1881. He also served as president of the Utica Trust & Deposit Co. and of the New Hartford Canning Co. during this period; in 1884, he became mayor of Utica.

U.S. Representative

Sherman taking a walk in Washington (c. 1910) SEE PHOTO

In 1886, Sherman was elected U.S. Representative from New York's 23rd congressional district as a Republican, defeating incumbent John S. Spriggs in a close election. He was re-elected in another close election in 1888. But in 1890 (a Democrat landslide year) he was narrowly defeated by Henry W. Bentley. In 1892, Sherman defeated Bentley, again in a close race (now in the 25th District, New York's districts having been redrawn in 1891). In 1894, Sherman was easily re-elected, as he was in the next six elections, serving until elected Vice-President in 1908. He served in various positions in Congress, including Chairman of the House Committee on Indian Affairs.

In 1898, he briefly became a candidate for Speaker of the House. In 1899, he was offered the post of General Appraiser of the Port of New York by President William McKinley. Sherman declined the position after hearing vocal opposition from his Utica constituents.

Vice President

Sherman at a baseball game in 1912. (SEE PHOTO) He was the first Vice President to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

In 1908, Sherman was nominated as the Republican candidate for Vice President on the ticket with William Howard Taft, supported by over 4/5 of the delegates. During the 1908 campaign, Sherman was attacked by Los Angeles attorney Edmund Burke. Burke claimed that he was a former partner of Sherman in the New Mexico Lumber and Development Company, and that Sherman had used his position in Congress to arrange an improper land purchase. But this attack had no effect on the election: Taft and Sherman won easily.

In 1911, Sherman became the first sitting Vice President to fly in an airplane.His flight took place in New York and lasted under five minutes.

1912 election and illness

Sherman had also been diagnosed with gallstones during this period, and was told that kidney trouble was causing his problems. By following a strict diet, he was able to manage his lingering condition after taking office on March 4, 1909. However, his strong work ethic played a major role in the deterioration of his health over the course of the 1912 presidential campaign.

In June 1912, Sherman became the first incumbent Vice President to be renominated by a National Convention. (The 1840 Democratic convention did not actually renominate Vice President Richard M. Johnson; it refused to choose a replacement.) The ensuing campaign saw Taft in a stiff three-way battle with Democrat Woodrow Wilson and former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, the latter candidate having previously been in a nasty feud with Sherman over control of the New York Republican Party.

Death

Sherman died in Utica a few days prior to the election. The Republican National Committee named Columbia University President Nicholas M. Butler to replace Sherman and receive any electoral votes for him. However, the Republicans only carried two states for a total of eight electoral votes, so this did not matter. James S. Sherman was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.