John Henry Sherburne

John H. Sherburne (January 29, 1877 – July 25, 1959) was an attorney, politician, and military officer from Boston. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School (1901), he practiced as the senior partner of a prominent Boston firm. A Republican, he served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1911 to 1917. A military veteran of more than 50 years, Sherburne served during the Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, and World War II and attained the rank of brigadier general. He commanded several Field Artillery units during the First World War and was the Adjutant General of Massachusetts during the second. Sherburne was a recipient of numerous military awards, including the Silver Star, Purple Heart, French Legion of Honor (Commander), and French Order of the Black Star (Commander).

A native of Boston, Sherburne graduated from Harvard College in 1899 and Harvard Law School in 1901. Sherburne practiced law in Boston throughout his career, and became the senior partner of a well-known law firm. Active in politics as a Republican, he served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1911 to 1917. In 1896, he joined a Massachusetts Militia battery as a private, and he served for 10 years before obtaining his commission. Sherburne went on to command batteries, battalions, and regiments as he advanced through the ranks, including service on the Texas-Mexico border during the Pancho Villa Expedition.

During World War I, Sherburne was promoted to brigadier general and commanded first the 167th Field Artillery Brigade, a unit of the 92nd Division, then the 51st Field Artillery Brigade, a unit of the 26th Division. After the war, Sherburne commanded the 169th Field Artillery Brigade, a unit of the Organized Reserve Corps' 94th Division. During World War II, Sherburne served as Adjutant General of Massachusetts. After the war, he was an inactive member of the Organized Reserve Corps until retiring in 1948.

In retirement, Sherburne resided in Brookline. He died in Boston on July 25, 1959. Sherburne was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.

Early life John Henry Sherburne was born in Boston on January 29, 1877, the son of John H. Sherburne (1845–1910) and Elizabeth Thayer (Nye) Sherburne. The senior Sherburne was an American Civil War veteran of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, who later practiced law and served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Massachusetts Senate.

The younger Sherburne attended Hopkinson's School, a private academy in Boston. He began attendance at Harvard College in 1895, and graduated with a A.B. degree in 1899. Sherburne was promoted to lance corporal in January 1899, corporal in May 1899, sergeant in May 1902, and first sergeant in January 1905. He was promoted to captain in October 1908 and was assigned to command the battery. In January 1913, Sherburne was promoted to major as commander of the Massachusetts National Guard's 1st Field Artillery Battalion, a unit of the 1st Massachusetts Field Artillery Regiment. In addition, he was a delegate to local, state, and national party conventions throughout his life. The article also included a testimonial from Sherburne regarding the abilities of the black soldiers he led during the war, whom he judged to be excellent in all respects. Sherburne remained in this position until 1938. Sherburne was president of the Massachusetts Safety Council from 1930 to 1940, and continued to serve in the Reserve after completing his brigade command. He died at the veterans' hospital in Jamaica Plain, Boston on July 25, 1959.