Rhind, John Massey Scottish, 1860-1936 Cottrell, William T. American, 1878-1950 William Tecumseh Sherman Monument Bronze and Granite, 1900 Gift of Charles H. Hackley to the City of Muskegon

The William Tecumseh Sherman Monument, commissioned by Charles H. Hackley, philanthropist, businessman, and lumberman as a gift to the City of Muskegon, was sculpted by John Massey Rhind. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Rhind began his art studies under the tutorage of his father John Rhind, a respected and successful sculptor in the royal burgh. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy, and continued his education with Jules Dalou, in Lambeth, England. He then moved to Paris to continue his education for two more years. Upon completing his training he considered moving to the United States but was cautioned by his father not to do so because, "There is no sculptural art in America . . .You'll starve." At age 29, J. Massey Rhind finally emigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. In 1899, Rhind set up a studio and sculpture yard in Closter, New Jersey. In February 1890 John Jacob Astor III died and shortly thereafter a competition was announced to create three sets of bronze doors dedicated to him for Trinity Church, New York. Rhind entered the competition, and, along with Charles Niehaus and Karl Bitter, was awarded one of the sets of doors. After this success he never lacked for work and was to generate a large number of public monuments and architectural projects.

William T. Cottrell of the Harrison Granite Company of New York, designed the pedestal, made of Barre granite with a laurel wreath wrapped around the name, birth and death date.

William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, educator, and author. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–65), for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched earth" policies he implemented in conducting total war against the Confederate States. The monument of William Tecumseh Sherman is cast in bronze. Sherman is standing as if in action: left leg forward, sword hanging at his left, holding binoculars in his right hand with the case strap across his left shoulder. His gaze is focused and intense.