Dictionary.net

Born May 10, 1823, American statesman, is the brother of General W.T. Sherman. Having been a surveyor, he settled to the practice of law at Mansfield, O. Since he entered the House of Representatives in 1855 his official career has been unbroken. He was the Republican candidate for Speaker in 1859, and was chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. In 1861 he entered the U.S. Senate. He was foremost in the financial and other measures, and personally recruited an Ohio brigade. For several years he was chairman of the important Finance Committee. He visited Louisiana at the time of the Tilden-Hayes excitement, and in 1877 left the Senate to enter President Hayes' Cabinet. During his administration of the Treasury Department occurred the Resumption of Specie Payments in 1879, for which Secretary Sherman had made careful preparation. In 1881 he re-entered the Senate. His name has been several times presented to Republican National Conventions. In 1880 Garfield headed the Ohio delegation in Sherman's favor, and was himself nominated. In 1888 Sherman was at first in the lead, but Harrison finally won. Senator Sherman has been chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, and his name is attached to the Silver Purchase Act of 1890 (repealed in 1893.)