Hoyt Sherman: Iowa Time Machine November 1, 1827

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On November 1, 1827, Hoyt Sherman was born. An important early Iowa banker, real estate developer, insurance executive, and local historian, Sherman’s legacy lives on in Hoyt Sherman Place on the west side of downtown Des Moines.

Born in Ohio as one of eleven children, Sherman experienced hardship after his father died suddenly in 1829. Despite the setback, Sherman and his siblings all reached adulthood. He and his brothers William Tecumseh Sherman (Civil War general) and John Shterman (U.S. Senator) went on to lead extraordinary lives after their difficult start. Hoyt Sherman headed west to Des Moines in May of 1848 and started to help shape the rapidly developing city almost immediately.

Sherman speculated in lands and started a bank. Partnering with Benjamin F. Allen, the two men built one of the most successful banks in early Iowa. Sherman served as an army paymaster during the Civil War before returning to Des Moines and helping to form Equitable Life Insurance of Iowa. Despite other financial challenges brought about by market forces beyond his control, he continued to build a successful career that helped shape Iowa’s capital city.

Later in life, Sherman started to record his memories of early Des Moines. The accumulated documents provide part of the foundation of knowledge about the city’s early history. After his death, his heirs transferred his estate to the Board of Park Commissioners for $500 and relief from encumbrances. Today’s headquarters of the Des Moines Women’s Club and the Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation, many Iowans enjoy taking in concerts in the popular music venue at the site. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar