Sherman S. Suverly, one of the real pioneer settlers of the river country in Gayton district, died at his home at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, March 20, from a complication of diseases, including cerebral apoplexy and chronic brights disease, after a last illness of about two weeks.

Mr. Suverly was born at Knoxville, Missouri, December 29, 1867, and was 67 years, 2 months, and 19 days of age at the time of death.

He spent his early life and received his schooling in Missouri, and in March of 1883, he came with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Suverly, to North Dakota where they settled on a homestead on the banks of the Missouri River near the Gayton Post Office. Here the family resided until the death of his parents, and George Suverly has since carried on at the old homestead.

Source: unknown author
Via: Allen & Elaine (Marquart) O'Callaghan,
Allen is grandson of Eliza (Clark) O'Callaghan.



An added Footnote: While Mr. Suverly was not as well known to the younger generation of this vicinity, not having gotten around much in recent years, he was very well known among the earlier settlers of the county and used to take an active part in the social and civic life of this part of the county.



An added Footnote: Funeral services were held at 2:00 o'clock Friday afternoon from the residence of George Suverly, with Rev. H.M. Gulson of Glencoe officiating. Burial was made in the family cemetery on the old homestead site, beside the remains of his parents.



He married Eleanor Clark on December 25, 1894 in (now former town of) Emmonsburg, Emmons County, ND. Sherman and Elenora Clark were married at Grandpa Clarks, a farmstead near Emmonsburg. Witnesses were Janie Clark and James Bursbser. Sherman S. "Shaney" Suverly was born December 29, 1867 in Knoxville, MO. Christened in 7th Day Adventist. Sherman Suverly died of Brights Disease – source is Olive Suverly, his daughter. Died on March 20, 1935 at home, in Bismarck, ND.

Source: unknown author
Via: Allen & Elaine (Marquart) O'Callaghan,
Allen is grandson of Eliza (Clark) O'Callaghan.



Emmonsburg was a pioneer settlement in the southwest quarter of section 14-132-79, at the mouth of Big Beaver Creek on the east bank of the Missouri River. It was named for its county, which was named for James A. Emmons, a native of Virginia who came to Dakota in 1872 as the post trader at Camp Hancock. The post office was established October 17, 1883 with Harmidas Archambault as Postmaster, and closed November 30, 1912 with mail to Hartford. It reopened September 3, 1924 with Mrs. Sophie Ketchum as Postmaster, and closed for good November 30, 1934 with mail to Livona. A population of 28 was reported in 1890, a count of 40 was made in 1930, and the last report was a count of 25 in 1940.(1, 2, 3, 18, 25, 40, 66, 415)


In April 1912, Sherman Suverly owned the Fort Rice ferryboat, value about $1,000. It floated away in high water that month, but was found a few days later on Douglas Island, about 7 miles above Fort Yates. The Fort Rice ferry was sold in May 1913.

Source: A History of Emmons County, 1976


An added Footnote: The Suverly family burial site was moved to Glencoe Cemetery by order of the Federal Government. The land their burial site was located at was sold to the Army Corp. of Engineers and later flooded by the Oahu Reclamation.