Clark (Lucy Sherman) Correspondence, 1875-1931

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Summary

Title:
Lucy Sherman Clark Correspondence
Dates:
1875-1931
Creators:
Clark, Lucy Sherman Clark, Eli P. Sherman, Moses H. Fremont, John C. Hoyt, John P Gosper, John J. Vosburg, John S. Sherman, Enoch Sterling Sherman Clark
Abstract:
Extent:
3 archives boxes; 145 items
Language:
Preferred citation:

Lucy Sherman Clark Correspondence. Sherman Library and Gardens

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of 128 letters and a few other items such as invitations, notes, and announcements collected by Lucy Sherman Clark. Lucy Clark Sherman was the recipient of the majority of the letters, although some are addressed to Eli P. Clark or Moses H. Sherman. The bulk of the items date from 1875 to 1891 when the Clarks and Shermans lived in Prescott, Arizona. Most of the letters to Lucy are from Eli P. Clark, both before and after their marriage in 1880. Eli wrote these letters to Lucy when he traveled to carry out his duties as Territorial Auditor and to operate sawmills in Walnut Grove, south of Prescott. These letters shed light on their relationship, business dealings, health, and travel. Lucy received other letters from family members, primarily her father, Enoch Sterling Sherman of West Rupert Vermont and her sister Kate Sherman. Her brother, Moses H. Sherman, wrote on occasion after he moved to Phoenix in 1884 and Los Angeles in 1890. Lucy Sherman Clark Correspondence 2 A few of the letters from territorial officials sent to E. P. Clark in his role as Arizona Territorial Auditor are primarily of a transactional nature. These includes letters from John C. Fremont, John P. Hoyt, John J. Gosper and John S. Vosburg.

Biographical / historical:

Lucy Helen Sherman was born on February 11, 1851 in West Rupert, Vermont to Enoch Sterling Sherman and Miranda Wright Warner. She was raised on the family farm. In addition to farming, E. S. Sherman worked as a teacher on several occasions during Lucy's youth. The family placed a significance on education and the teachings of the Congregationalist church. Following in the footsteps of her father and brother, Moses Hazeltine Sherman, Lucy trained as a teacher at the Oswego Normal School and taught in schools near the family home. In 1876, Lucy moved to Prescott, Arizona to teach alongside her brother Moses at the Prescott Free Academy. She worked as a teacher in Prescott until 1880, when she married Eli P. Clark, a local merchant and the Auditor of the Arizona Territory. Lucy and Eli had three daughters and a son -- Lucy Mason born July 17, 1881; Mary Sherman born May 12, 1884; Katherine T. born July 31, 1886 and Eugene P. born September 26, 1890. In 1891, the family moved to Los Angeles, where Eli and Lucy's brother Moses founded the Los Angeles Consolidated Electric Railway and later engaged in many business ventures, including the Los Angeles Pacific Railway and the Clark and Sherman Land Company. Lucy Sherman Clark passed away on June 10, 1942.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased by the Sherman Library Gardens Volunteer Association on behalf of Sherman Library in January, 2020.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Sherman Library and Gardens staff.
Date Prepared:
1875-1931
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Sherman Library. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The Sherman Library do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

Lucy Sherman Clark Correspondence. Sherman Library and Gardens

Location of this collection:
614 Dahlia Ave.
Corona del Mar, CA 92625, US
Contact:
(949) 673-1880
library@slgardens.org
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