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Andrew Taylor Sherman (1821-1901) was born in Suffield, Connecticut on September 1, 1821. He was a great-grandson of American founding father Roger Sherman, and the son of John Sherman, and "throughout his life has displayed the same spirit of patriotism and conscientious motives which distinguished his progenitors. He is a son of Charles Sherman and Jennet Taylor.

While a boy, Andrew T. Sherman attended school for a time in New York City, but completed his education at the Baptist College at Suffield, Connecticut, graduating at the age of twenty years. He then, in 1841, removed to Wisconsin, and engaged in farming in Genesee Township, Waukesha County, becoming one of the earliest settlers in that locality. He lived there until 1850, when he went to California, making the trip by way of the Isthmus. While in San Francisco Harbor, he received an injury by the explosion of the boiler of a steamer, which made necessary the amputation of one of his legs. As soon as he was able, he returned home, and in 1853 located in Chicago. His first employment here was in the capacity of clerk and bookkeeper for a real-estate firm. He subsequently founded the banking house of A. T. Sherman & Company. Foreseeing the coming financial crisis of 1857, he paid up all his obligations and suspended banking. Immediately after the bombardment of Fort Sumter he entered the army, and after serving through MacClellan's campaign he was employed in the mustering and disbursing departments of the state, at Springfield, Illinois, continuing in that capacity until six months after the close of hostilities. He afterward served seven years in the office of the United States Commissioner at Chicago, and spent twenty-four years in the money-order department of the Chicago Post Office.

In 1851, he has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all the chairs of Chicago Encampment Number 10. He has filled the position of Deputy Grand Master of Illinois. Since the organization of the Republican Party, he has given hearty allegiance to its principles, and has filled numerous official positions in the gift of his fellow-citizens of the various localities where he has dwelt. He was one of the earliest Justices of the Peace in Genesee, Wisconsin, and the citizens of Wilmette have honored him with the same distinction. For several years he was President of the Village Board, and has always manifested a deep concern in the public affairs of that place. In 1865 he was the Postmaster of the Illinois House of Representatives, and all his business and official duties have been faithfully and efficiently discharged."

Album of Genealogy and Biography, Cook County, Illinois with Portraits - 3rd ed. revised and extended (Chicago: Calumet Book & Engraving Co., 1895), pp. 18-20