HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA 1989

~SHERMAN SMITH SHIMER~

given to me by Larry Heffner and copied from 
in response to a query on the Calhoun County Genealogy Page

    Sherman Smith Shimer, born February 20th, 1868, grew up on a farm in the White Pine area of Calhoun County, the son of a Civil War veteran. His mother was Rebecca Christine Poling Shimer. Sheep was raised on the family farm and young Sherman often trudged up the hill to feed before school and in the evening before bed. As a ten year old boy, he rode to Tanner with a bag of corn behind him to be ground into cornmeal for the family. He was the third child in a family of thirteen. His grandmother, Rachael, lived in the household until her death.

   In 1892, Sherman and Mary Catherine Hayes from Brohard were united in marriage. She was born December 24, 1876, the daughter of Joseph Harvey Hayes and Rebecca Jane Petty Hayes. Sherman worked for Billy Morton on his sawmill. Mr. Morton's main interest in real estate was the timber so as soon as the property was cleared of timber it was sold. Sherman and Kate acquired their farm at the head of Big Run in this manner. The farm is still in the family, owned by a grandson, Gerald Bowman. Sherman had always dreamed of being in business for himself, so after the ground was cleared of trees, he started a fruit tree nursery. Eventually evergreens and shrubbery were added to his stock. Several people were employed, some as workers and some as salesmen. There were nine children who also helped when needed.

   Mr. Shimer was a staunch supporter of the church, Snider Chapel, which was named after his youngest sister's husband Jacob Snider. He held many offices in the church, Sunday school teacher, superintendent, and trustee, to name a few. He was well-known for his honesty and concern for his neighbors. People came from far and near to gather flowers for their loved ones graves on the 30th of May. Many people spent time in the Shimer household when they were "down on their luck". Mr. Shimer had many hives of bees and many times donned his bee-keeper hat to save a swarm. The honey was delicious served on biscuits when company came.

   The following children were born; Myrtle Martha Shimer Villers, born October 3, 1893, died December 4, 1943, Minnie Gay Shimer Davis, born September 19, 1895, died November 15, 1987, Harvey George Shimer, born June 21, 1897, William Howard Shimer, born July 24, 1900, Ethel Jane Shimer Boltz Coffman, born December 2, 1903, Earl Shimer, born March 19, 1907, died June, 1909, Ernest Daniel Shimer, born January 4, 1911, James Harold Shimer, born July 19, 1914, Vada Evelyn Shimer Bowman, born August 30, 1919.

   Mr. Shimer died January 22, 1942 and Mrs. Shimer died June 22, 1962. Both are buried at the Cooper Cemetery.

Return to the Shimer Family Newsletter

or Return to Calhoun article on George W. Shimer