Herbert Franklin Sheldon (c. 1831–1917) was an American politician and real estate businessman in Ottawa, Kansas. He served as Ottawa's mayor and was a state senator.[1]
Sheldon arrived in Ottawa in 1864. He was elected mayor of Ottawa in 1872.[2] He also served as county clerk and register of deeds.[3]
Sheldon rescued the hotel project that became Henry Hutchins Ludington's Ludington House Hotel in Ottawa[4] and funded the building's completion. He built his residence next to it.[5] It is now known as Gillette House and is part of Ottawa University.[6] Built as a residence for Sheldon,[6] it was used as a dormitory by the university and called Sheldon Hall.[7] It is at 718 South Cedar Street.[6]
Ludington House housed the First National Bank and a post office.[8]
Sheldon was president of the Temperance League and was an advocate for prohibition, helping lead the effort that made the county "dry" in his lifetime.[2]
The H. F. Sheldon building in Ottawa is 2-story Italianate brick building at 324 South Main Street was built in 1887. It is a contributing property to a historic district.[9]
Sheldon wrote Reminiscences of My Dealings with Criminals in the Early History of Franklin County, Kansas in 1916.[10]
He was a member of the Kansas State Senate in 1899.[11] He was a Republican.
His first two wives and several children died. He was a trustee of Ottawa University.[12] His brother Dwin M. Sheldon was a prominent businessman in Ottawa.[1]
herbert franklin sheldon.
kansas state senate h.f. sheldon.