GENERAL PHILIP HENRY
SHERIDAN
~ Boyhood~
John and Mary
Minah Sheridan, Philip's parents, came to America in 1830 at the
urging of John's uncle, Thomas Gainor, living in Albany, New
York. John and Mary were second degree cousins from County Cavan,
Ireland. Before leaving Ireland the couple had two children,
Patrick H. and Rosa. Rosa died aboard ship and was buried at sea.
Philip Henry was born March 6, 1831. His birthplace is still a
mystery. There are no records available at Albany, New York,
Boston, Mass. (where their ship landed), nor at Somerset, Ohio.
Phil at various times claimed all three places. He arrived with
his parents in Somerset as a babe-in-arms and spent his childhood
here. The Sheridan family increased here by the births of Mary,
Michael, and John L. Sheridan attended school in Somerset until
the age of fourteen, at which time he went to work for various
businessmen, notably Fink and Dittoe.
In 1848 Congressman Thomas Ritchie, who knew both Phil and his
father, obtained an appointment to West Point for Phil. In 1851,
his third year at the Point, he was suspended for a year for
fighting with a fellow cadet, William Terrill, Va. Brig. Gen.,
Union. Phil graduated 34th in a class of 52 in July, 1853, and
was assigned to the 1st Infantry at Fort Duncan, Texas, as a 2nd
Lt. In 1855 he was transferred to the 4th Infantry in the Pacific
Northwest. In April, 1856, he was assigned to duty at the Grand
Ronde Indian Reservation in Yamhill County, Oregon, and was
promoted to 1st Lt.
~ Compiled by Bob Miller, Somerset, Ohio
