Ungovernor, 1904 – Ambrose Henry Sherwood

Although 1904 was squarely in the era of progressive reform, which in the minds of some included making alcohol an illegal substance, the Prohibition Party somehow didn't catch the train. Judge Greene's 1892 tally of just over 4% of the vote would be the high water mark for this party in Washington State gubernatorial elections. The Prohibition Party's agenda had been usurped by the Anti-Saloon League, an organization that believed in changing society through the existing two-party system rather than storming it with a radical third party. So by 1904 the Prohibs were already considered extremists, even by others interested in their cause. Their candidates for Governor were basically sacrificial lambs. In 1904 this lamb had the literary name of Ambrose Henry Sherwood.

Sherwood was born in New brunswick, Mar. 28, 1860, the son of William and Frances (McCready) Sherwood. In looking at his genealogy, it would appear his ancestors had fled to Canada from the American colonies during the American Revolution. Probably because they were Loyalists. Sherwood pursued a career in education and in 1892 "retired" from the school district in Hampton, N.B.

In 1893, the year his mother died, Sherwood moved to Everett, Washington, where he was employed by the local school district. He served as a school principal there. Oddly, he was pitted in three elections against Socialist David Burgess, who had served as a school principal in Equality Colony.

Sherwood made at least four runs for public office as a candidate of the Prohibition Party. In 1900 he was the Prohib candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction. In the next three elections, where he ran parallel with Ungovernor Burgess, Sherwood didn't do very well. In addition to his 1904 run for Governor he ran twice for U.S. Congress, in 1902 and 1908. In the latter, out of 62,226 votes cast, Sherwood accounted for 26 of them. Not exactly setting the world on fire.

In 1924 he retired from Everett Public Schools and about three years later moved to Los Angeles, where he died Nov. 8, 1931.

Sherwood's house, which was built in 1903 in Everett's Riverside neighborhood to accomodate his large family, was converted to apartments in the 1930s. The house still stands today and became the center of a land use controversy in 2007 when the Bethany Christian Assembly had included it in their plans to buy up several lots in order to demolish the structures and expand their parking lot. After being picketed by neighborhood activists, the Assembly dropped the plans.

-- By Steve Willis

"The A.H. Sherwood house in Everett."

This appeared in the Everett Riverside Neighborhood History page:

The Sherwood Residence,
(now Baker Avenue Apartments)

2619 Baker Ave, Everett WA
Built for A.H. Sherwood
Superintendent of Everett Schools
First Teacher of Barge Works School
Principal of Monroe School
First Principal of Garfield School

Ambrose H. Sherwood was born in English-speaking Canada in March, 1860. He married Laveine R. Sherwood and had three children (Gene, Lorraine, and Nannie) before immigrating to Everett in 1893, just as the city was getting started. Meanwhile, Alexander McDougal came out west from Minnesota with financial backing from Henry Hewitt, Charles Colby and Colgate Hoyt to build a large barge works plant. Many children were in Everett by 1893, with only the broadway School to attend. Sherwood was the first teacher at the new "Barge Works School" (later called the "Smelter School"), built in the same style as the broadway School. Sherwood’s family lived at 2619 Everett Ave, near Cedar Ave.

Sherwood had a large role in early Everett education. By 1901, A. H. Sherwood was principal of the Monroe School. This magnificent school was located on the south side of Everett Ave at Pine Ave. Later he became superintendent of the Everett Schools. The Sherwood’s had a fourth child in Everett in 1895.

Sherwood was involved in at least ten real estate deals. One of the properties he purchased was at 2619 Baker Ave (the number being an odd coincidence with the Everett Ave residence) from Wyatt and Bethel Rucker. City records show the water was turned on Jan 29, 1903. He built a large residence in the classic American Foursquare style. It is arguably the grandest surviving residence on Baker Avenue.

A. H. Sherwood became the first principal of the new Garfield School shortly after moving into the home on Baker Ave, in 1904. Garfield recently celebrated its first century in the Riverside neighborhood. Sherwood walked about six blocks to his employment. In 1917, the old wooden streets of Baker Avenue were paved. Much of the original sidewalk survives – the same place that these important early pioneers of Everett walked. Their son enlisted in World War I. Sherwood remained principal at Garfield until the mid-1920’s, and died a few years later. Laveine remained in the home until she passed away in 1932.

Like many large homes in Everett, the next owners of 2619 Baker took in boarders during the depression. Everett struggled with a cyclical lumber-based economy for many years. Instead of the heady days of its youth, Everett became a middle-aged city with few ways to ride out the economic storms, and languished. In 1941, the grand home at 2619 Baker was divided into multiple units and expanded. The full-width porch that was partially walled in for more indoor space. But underneath the insensitive addition is its original character.

Dana Pearl Ward owned the home from 1951-64. She lived there and had tenants in the other rooms. She married the tenant in the top apartment. Apparently they never lived together though. She passed away in 1962, and her son sold the home two years later.

In recent years there has been an improvement to the Everett economy, resulting in great improvements in the Riverside neighborhood. Most of the lumber mills are gone, replaced by a diverse economy. The former "City of Smokestacks" has become a quiet bedroom community with lovely old homes and a new eager group of people who love those homes. Split up apartments have been restored back to single-family homes. Landscaping is improving. trees are being planted. Neighbors are active in their community; they are involved and energetic. We are fortunate to enjoy wonderful architecture in Riverside, intact with turn-of-the-century character, especially on Baker Avenue.

Ideally, the Sherwood Residence should be restored to its former glory. This is in keeping with the character of this wonderful neighborhood. As an apartment, it still has much of the character of 100 years ago. History oozes from the streets, the homes, the schools, and the stories that have been documented so well.

-- By Steve Willis

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