"A Look Back"

The Stories presented here are about people and events during the early days when this corner of Colorado was first settled.

John and Fern Sherman
By Shannan Koucherik for the Museum of NW Colo

One thing that the prominent people in Craig’s history had in common was a determination to work for the greater good – they knew that to ensure a healthy future for the city, there needed to be a good foundation.

John J.Sherman fits easily into the ranks of those who spent their lives making sure that Craig and the Yampa Valley grew and prospered.

Born march 11, 1895 in Oklahoma City when it was still in Indian Territory, Sherman showed an interest in agriculture early in life. His education came from schools in Washington State, Kansas and the Army of Occupation College in Segendorf, Germany.

Sherman came to Moffat County in 1916 where he took up a homestead in the Timberlake area northwest of Craig. In 1918 he went to the marines where he served in the 51st Company of the 5th marines during WWI. While he was serving his country, his mother Hattie Sherman proved up on the homestead. After spending three years in France, he returned to Craig and resumed making improvements on his land.

Fern Limbach was born June 25, 1900 in Monument, Colo. She was the youngest child of Paul and Rosa Limbach and graduated from North High School in Denver in 1919. She later graduated from Mrs. Farmer’s Business School before marrying John Sherman on March 18, 1923. He brought his new bride home through deep snow and cold temperatures.

Like many other homestead couples the Shermans spent time apart when he took a part-time job as a fireman for the Union Pacific Railroad in Laramie, Wyo., and out of Tabernash on the Moffat line.

One year, he was gone the entire winter, leaving Fern to take care of the livestock. When she had to go to town she would hitch a ride on a lumber sled and ride the 25 miles in from the ranch they had named Ferndale.

The couple lived through the Great Depression by growing most of their food and selling the surplus. John worked on the ranch, but also realized the need for better infrastructure for their part of the county and beyond. He helped to start the mail route in the Timberlake area and served on the Timberlake School Board for 27 years.

In addition to raising four children, the Shermans found time in their busy lives to take part in community activities as well. He helped to organize the Colorado Certified Seed Potato Assoc. in 1924 and was a member and director of the Colorado Potato Co-op earning the Colorado Master Seedsman award in 1935. He stayed active in that association for 43 years, including six terms as president.

Fern was a member of the Fortification Home Demonstration Club and Cowbelles. She was proud of her membership in the Territorial Daughters of Colorado, able to trace her lineage directly to ancestors who settled in Colorado while it was still a territory.

One son, Jack drowned at age 11 in the Elk River during a family outing. The surviving Sherman children followed in their parents’ footsteps and became deeply involved in Craig and the surrounding community.

“Sherman was one of the first directors of the Yampa Valley Electric Association and served as president one term…He helped organize the Great Divide Soil Conservation District and was president of the Great Northern Water Conservation District.

“He helped organize the Savery-Pot Hook District and Juniper Project. He was a member of the advisory committee to the Colorado Water Board and…coordinated efforts of the County forest service and the Colorado Game and Fish Department which succeeded in building the Freeman Reservoir and the road giving access to the reservoir.” (Craig Daily Press December 18, 1974)

The Sherman Youth Camp, named in his honor, is still providing wonderful experiences for Moffat County youngsters to explore nature and learn about the bigger world.

Sherman was also a member of the first Fair Board and assisted in building the County Fair/Rodeo Grounds still in use today. He was instrumental in the development of the Yampa Valley Golf Course and was part of the forming committee for Ride ‘N’ Tie Rodeo from 1946 until his death.

His list of accomplishments was long and impressive when he was killed in a traffic crash north of Craig on December 11, 1974. Daily Press publisher Bob Sweeney spoke of John Sherman in an editorial the day after his unexpected death;

“John was never one to go slow in anything. He could be described as Moffat County’s ‘hardest worker.’ No matter the project, no matter how tough or how hard, how futile, John Sherman would always fill the breach and when no one else could get the job done, John did!

“One could never visualize John growing old or changing. He has always been a pillar of strength for his family, community and county.

“We all lost something out on that highway last night, but I know that I’m a better person because of John Sherman, that the organizations he belonged to were far more successful because of his great sacrifices of time and talent, that this town and county are better places to live because John J. Sherman walked this land.” (Craig Daily Press, December 12, 1974)

Fern Sherman survived her husband by nearly 20 years and filled those years with family and community involvement. She was known for her wonderful sense of humor and the kindness she showed to everyone around her. She died July 8, 1994 in Craig and is buried next to her husband in the Fairview Cemetery.