Sherman Conant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sherman Conant
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| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the Duval district |
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| In office 1881–1881 |
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| United States Marshal for the Northern District of Florida | |
| In office 1871–1879 |
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| Appointed by | Ulysses S. Grant |
| 9th Florida Attorney General | |
| In office 1870–1871 |
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| Governor | Harrison Reed |
| Preceded by | A. R. Meek |
| Succeeded by | J. B. C. Drew |
| Judge of the Leon County Court | |
| In office June 1868 – February 1869 |
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| Appointed by | Harrison Reed |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 21, 1839 Dublin, New Hampshire |
| Died | November 21, 1890 (aged 50) Palatka, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Frances Dewey
(m. 1867) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1862–1865 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | 39th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry |
| Commands | 3rd United States Colored Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Sherman Conant (December 21, 1839 – November 21, 1890) was an American soldier and politician. He served as the 9th Florida Attorney General during a time called Reconstruction. This was the period after the American Civil War when the Southern states were rebuilt.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Sherman Conant was born on December 21, 1839, in Dublin, New Hampshire. In 1845, his family moved to Littleton, Massachusetts.
When the American Civil War began, Conant was a student. On August 4, 1862, he joined the army as a corporal. He was part of the 39th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. His unit helped protect Washington, D.C., the nation's capital.
In August 1863, Conant was promoted to captain. He was put in charge of a company in the 3rd United States Colored Infantry Regiment. This regiment was made up of African-American soldiers. They fought in the Second Battle of Fort Wagner and helped capture the fort. This happened shortly after a famous attack by the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.
In 1864, Conant's regiment helped capture Jacksonville, Florida. They also took control of much of Florida's coast. After the war ended, the 3rd Colored Infantry helped reorganize the state of Florida. On September 13, 1865, Conant became a major. His regiment was disbanded a month later, but he stayed in Florida to help with the state's rebuilding.
Political Career in Florida
After leaving the army, Conant settled in Jacksonville, Florida. He was a member of the Republican Party. Many local African-Americans respected him because of his leadership during the war.
In 1868, Conant became the secretary of Florida's Constitutional Convention in Tallahassee, Florida. He helped write the state's new constitution during the Reconstruction era. While in Tallahassee, he also worked on the Leon County Voter Registration Board. He helped many African-Americans in the area gain the right to vote.
The next month, Governor Harrison Reed appointed Conant as a judge for Leon County. Conant had been serving as a United States Commissioner for the Northern District of Florida. He served as judge until 1869. In 1870, Governor Reed appointed Conant as the 9th Florida Attorney General.
Conant served as Attorney General until 1871. Then, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him as the United States Marshal for the Northern District of Florida. In this role, Conant gained attention for his work in upholding the law. He was reappointed by President Grant in 1875 and served until 1879.
In 1881, Conant represented Duval County in the Florida House of Representatives. He served for that year.
Personal Life and Later Years
In 1867, Sherman Conant married Frances Dewey from Boston, Massachusetts. They had two children, Anne Whitney and John Sherman. Sadly, both of his children passed away before him.
From January 1883 until his death, Conant worked as the general manager of the Florida Southern Railroad.
Conant died at his home in Palatka, Florida on November 21, 1890.
Legacy
Sherman Conant is buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In 1884, while Conant was managing the Florida Southern Railroad, a new town was established. This town, in Lake County, was named Conant, Florida in his honor. It was founded by wealthy Englishmen and became a vacation spot. However, the town was abandoned after severe freezes in 1894 and 1895. Today, much of the land where Conant, Florida, once stood is part of Lady Lake, Florida.
Images for kids
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Seal of the United States Board of War
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Major rank insignia
