Emmett Sherwood Collection

Emmett Sherwood was a resident of Dodge City his entire adult life. He was a career salesman working in downtown Dodge City during its heyday. He sold men’s clothing and shoes and later became a part owner in a store known as Bond’s Men's Wear. He was knowledgeable and enthusiastic student of local history and was a Dodge City “booster” in every way.

Emmett Sherwood was born on 05-16-1906 near Vici, Oklahoma. His parents were Jessie and Junie (Stevens) Sherwood. Sherwood moved to Dodge City at about age 18. His first job here was at the Dodge City Ice Cream and Produce Company. He started at the bottom level of employment and worked into the sales department, eventually becoming sales manager.

In 1925 he had the opportunity to interview for a sales job at Eckles Department Store, which was a leading retailer in Dodge City for many years. He was hired by the patriarch of the store, George Eckles. This was the beginning of a 23-year tenure with the Eckles organization. Due to Emmett’s skills and an attitude for serving customers in the best possible manner, he became well known in Dodge City and the surrounding area. People liked dealing with him for his knowledge of the products he was selling, mainly men’s clothing and shoes, and his penchant for shooting a straight deal. It was at Eckles where he met Nolen Bond and Bob Mattley, fellow employees who became lifetime friends and business associates.

In 1948, Emmett, Nolen, and Bob formed a partnership and went into business for themselves. Together they opened the Bond and Mattley men’s store on West Chestnut Street (now Wyatt Earp Boulevard). Emmett stayed with the firm until 1978, when the store was sold to Larry Burke. This completed a 30-year stint for Emmett with the partnership.

Though well past retirement age, Emmett embarked on his “fourth sale career” as he called it. He went to work for the Allen brothers, Jim and Virgil, at Sam’s Shoe Store. Emmett had known the Allen family for years, as each family’s children were friends with each other.

On the personal side, Emmett had taken enough time off from work to marry Leona Margaret Gretveldinger on 05-16-1927. Together they raised two sons, Thomas and Richard. Leona preceded her husband in death in 1990.

Emmett was known for his interest in local history. He was an enthusiastic supporter of all things regarding Dodge City. He was interviewed by several writers late in his life, and he was happy to recount all the changes he had seen in Dodge City over the years, especially in the downtown business district.

Emmett Sherwood died 03-30-2001 in Dodge City.