Augustus Frederick Sherman

He was division chief, with the title of chief clerk, 1909–1921; and, finally, confidential secretary to the Commissioner, 1921–1925. In 1916, in the absence of the Commissioner and the Assistant Commissioner, Sherman took over routine affairs on the island, as he was regarded as third in command. He was an untrained, yet highly gifted photographer who created hundreds of images documenting the new arrivals to America. Sherman was fascinated by the diverse origins and cultural backgrounds of his subjects, and created a series of portraits offering viewers a perspective on this period in American history.

• Name — Augustus Frederick Sherman • Born — July 9, 1865 • Birthplace — Lynn Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. • Died — 16 February 1925 • Place of death — New York City, U.S. • Resting Place — Pennsylvania, U.S. • Employer — U.S. Bureau of Immigration • Occupation — clerical administrator, Ellis Island; amateur photographer • Title — Chief Clerk

Sherman was born on July 9, 1865, in Lynn, Pennsylvania. He was of English descent on both sides of his family and was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. His father, Henry Nathaniel Sherman (1832-1887), was a commission merchant; his mother was Estella Theresa Sherman, née Handrick, (1838-1912). Augustus was graduated from high school in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

In 1884, he relocated to New York City to join his older brother, Henry Handrick Sherman (1860-1918); both pursued careers as clerks in the Democratic Party's Tammany Hall political machine. In 1887, Augustus was private secretary to John R. Voorhis (1829-1932), a prominent Tammany politician and former New York City Police commissioner. In 1893, Sherman was hired as a clerk under Ellis Island's Democratic immigration commissioner, Joseph H. Senner. He later left after being appointed private secretary to the New York City Police Commissioner, a position he held from 1893 to December 1894. In January 1895, he entered federal service in the Bureau of Immigration as a senior stenographer at Ellis Island, succeeding his brother there. During his years as chief clerk of Ellis Island he was in charge of the station's large clerical staff as well as its extensive correspondence. He also supervised immigrant appeals to the Commissioner made by those who had been excluded from entry by a board of special inquiry.