Roger Sherman
Early Life
Roger Sherman was born on September 24, 1888, in Rye, New York, the son of Herbert Augustus Sherman and Anna White. A lifelong resident of Rye, he grew up in a well-established family with deep historical roots, being a descendant of Roger Sherman, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
He received his early education at the Cutler School in New York City and in Montreux, Switzerland, before graduating from Yale University in 1910. He continued his education at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1913, and was admitted to the New York bar shortly thereafter.
World War I Service
Sherman entered military service on November 27, 1917, when he was called into active duty as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry through the Officers’ Reserve Corps at the Plattsburg Training Camp in New York.
He was assigned to the 315th Infantry Regiment, part of the 79th Infantry Division, and later transferred to the Army Service Corps, reflecting a shift from combat arms to logistical and administrative responsibilities within the American Expeditionary Forces.
Sherman served overseas in France from January 27, 1918, to January 2, 1920, a period that spanned both active combat operations and the post-Armistice occupation. During his service, he was promoted to First Lieutenant on February 14, 1919, and later attained the rank of Captain.
His service was recognized by the French government, and he was awarded the Legion of Honour and the Ordre des Palmes Académiques, reflecting contributions to the Allied war effort and postwar cooperation.
He sustained no wounds or injuries in action and was honorably discharged on January 12, 1920.
Life After Service
Following his military service, Sherman returned to Rye, where he built a distinguished legal and civic career. He practiced law both in New York City and in Rye, maintaining an office on Purdy Avenue.
He served the community in numerous official capacities, including Justice of the Peace for the Town of Rye from 1936 to 1941, Assistant City Judge from 1941 to 1953, and Corporation Counsel for the City of Rye from 1954 to 1959. He also served on the Rye Zoning Board of Appeals and was deeply involved in local governance.
During the Second World War, he played a significant role in civil defense efforts in Rye, serving as director of civil defense and chairman of the local rationing board.
He was active in a wide range of civic, historical, and veteran organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Rye Historical Society, and the Westchester County Historical Society. He also served as historian for the City of Rye.
Roger Sherman died on February 4, 1969, at United Hospital in Port Chester, New York, at the age of 80 following injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
He was survived by his brother, Herbert H. Sherman; his sisters, Mrs. Herbert S. Lester, Mrs. Edward Verplanck, and Mrs. Theodore Sproull; and numerous nieces and nephews.