Background
Hoyt Sherman was born on November 1, 1827, in Lancaster, Ohio, United States to Mary Sherman (Hoyt) and Charles R. Sherman. He was the 10th of 11 children.
Hoyt Sherman was born on November 1, 1827, in Lancaster, Ohio, United States to Mary Sherman (Hoyt) and Charles R. Sherman. He was the 10th of 11 children.
From 1848 to 1850 Hoyt Sherman studied law in the law office of his brothers John and Charles in Mansfield, Ohio.
Until eighteen years of age, Hoyt Sherman worked as a newspaper printer in Cincinnati, Ohio. After moving to Des Moines he was admitted to the bar and began to practice law. He also allied himself with other entrepreneurs and plunged into land transactions, building projects, and banking. In 1849 Hoyt Sherman was appointed postmaster of Des Moines. He held that position until 1853 when he resigned and was elected clerk of the District Court.
Hoyt Sherman served during the Civil War as an army paymaster with the rank of major. He resigned his commission in 1864 and spent the next few years trying to regain his footing, first as a hardware merchant, and then through a term as a state representative.
In 1866 Hoyt Sherman was a member of the House of the Eleventh General Assembly serving as a chairman of the committee on railroads and a member of the committee of ways and means. In January 1867 he joined a group of Des Moines businessmen to form Equitable Life Insurance of Iowa and served as its general manager until 1888.
In 1886 Hoyt Sherman was one of the founders of the Pioneer Lawmakers' Association. He was one of its most influential members, serving as president and long a member of the executive committee. For many years he was the chief executive officer of the Associated Charities of Des Moines.
Hoyt Sherman married Sarah Moulton on December 25, 1855. The couple had five children.