LOCAL TREASURE, WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT: HOYT SHERMAN PLACE

Sherman Hill is one of Des Moines' oldest neighborhoods known for its Victorian mansions, restaurants and gentriflcation.  It's also home to Hoyt Sherman Place, the home of the Des Moines Women's Club since 1907. The club added an art museum--the city's first ever--to display its collections. In 1923, it built a 1,400 seat theater to host speakers such as Amelia Earhart and Helen Keller. In 2003, the theater was modernized and downsized to 1,252 seats. It's a niche venue for musicians like Lyle Lovett and Elvis Costello, who miss the mainstream but have loyal followings.

But who was Hoyt Sherman? The brother of infamous Civil War General William Tecumsch Sherman. Hoyt was born in Ohio, the son of Supreme Court justice.  His other older brothers were a U.S. senator and Ohio Supreme Court justice.

He moved to Fort Des Moines, then on the western frontier of America in 1848.

One year later, he was admitted to bar and began to practice law while starting a real estate business. The same year he was appointed by President Zachary Taylor to be paymaster of Des Moines, holding that position until the inauguration of President Francis Pierce. He was then elected clerk of District Court.  In the next few years, he began the banking house of Hoyt Sherman and Co. When the State Bank of Iowa was established, Sherman became cashier of its Des Moines branch and a director.

When the Civil War broke out, Sherman was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to be paymaster in the Union army with the rank of major. He later became a founder of Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa, and was, for many years, its general manager. After the war, Sherman became a member of the House of the Eleventh General Assembly where he was chairman of the committee on railroads and a member of the committee of ways and means.  In 1886, he became founder of the Pioneer Lawmakers Association for which he served as president.  In 1877, Hoyt Sherman built a grand mansion, which is now Hoyt Sherman Place. written by Jim Duncan-Nov. 2016,"Cityview"