Archives West Finding Aid

Edward H. Sherman was born in Iowa around 1866, the son of Patrick H. and Sarah (McAtee) Sherman. After his father died young, Edward went to work for an undertaker and learned the trade. In the early 1880s he joined the circus and headed west. He left the circus in Butte, Montana. About 1889 he opened an undertaking establishment in Butte, which also sold pianos, organs, recording equipment, and sewing machines. Sherman's business went through several changes over the years. In 1893 he incorporated the Sherman Music Company with John M. Bowes, Charles E. Wendell, and Thomas C. O'Meara to run the piano and organ business, while his brother William P. Sherman took over the undertaking business. Another brother Thomas J. Sherman acted as agent for the undertaking establishment. Briefly about 1897, Edward also owned the Sherman Mattress Factory in Butte. When William moved to Kalispell, Edward formed a partnership with John R. Reed to run the funeral and undertaking business while continuing to operate the Sherman Music Company. In 1910 Edward H. Sherman moved to Salt Lake City where he opened a casket manufacturing company. In 1917 he relocated to Helena, Montana, where he managed the piano department of A.P. Curtin's furniture business. In 1927 he incorporated a new Sherman Music Company as a successor the Curtin piano department.

Edward H. Sherman married Sina Masterson in 1907. They had four children: Joy (born about 1908), Virginia (born about 1910), Edward H. (born about 1913), and William P. (born about 1918). Edward H. Sherman died at the home of his daughter in Bozeman July 15, 1938.