Teacher and entrepreneur Moses Sherman was instrumentally involved in the development of Los Angeles in the mid-19th century.

There are many examples of gifted teachers who become successful entrepreneurs. One of these was Moses Sherman, a 19th-century educator and businessman.

Moses was born in West Rupert, Bennington County, Vermont, on December 3, 1853. He earned his teaching certificate at the Oswego Normal School located in Oswego, New York. He inaugurated his career as a teacher in Salem, New York, and later taught in Wisconsin. In 1874, when he was just 21 years old, Moses ventured west to Prescott, Arizona, to teach school. After two years there, Moses left the classroom to go into business, successfully investing in mining, cattle ranching, and real estate. In addition, he was appointed the State Superintendent of Public Instruction by then Arizona Governor John C. Fremont. 

The former educator relocated to Los Angeles in 1890, where he formed the original downtown electric street railway. Eventually he sold this business to railroad tycoon Henry Huntington. In addition to his electric car interests, Moses was involved in the development of the southern half of the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood. He owned extensive property in Culver City, Del Rey, and Tejon Ranch.

This remarkable teacher and entrepreneur passed away on December 9, 1932, in Balboa, Orange County, California. He was 78 years old. He is interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Los Angeles County, California.

In 1966, fellow businessman Arnold D. Haskell founded a research library and botanical gardens in Corona Del Mar, which he christened the Sherman Library and Gardens in honor of his former mentor, Moses Sherman. To learn more about these institutions, click on this link: Sherman Library and Gardens.