# Sherwood E. Stratton — Struggles and Triumphs character guide

> Sherwood E. Stratton in Struggles and Triumphs by P. T. Barnum.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Stratton, Stratton, Sherwood, poor Stratton, Mr. Sherwood E. Stratton

**First appearance:** 0013-xi-general-tom-thumb-in-england

## Snapshot

The Connecticut father of General Tom Thumb, dragged from Bridgeport into European sightseeing and reluctantly paying francs for dubious battlefield relics.

## Who they are

Stratton is the plain-spoken parent who accompanies Barnum and his tiny son across Europe, grumbling at four-in-the-morning departures and "darned old fields of wheat." His wife's gentle prodding—"do try to be like somebody, once in your life"—exposes the domestic friction beneath the tour's glamour. His penny-wise suspicion of the Waterloo boot-sellers gives the early chapters their comic, skeptical counterweight to Barnum's own enthusiasm.

## In the story

### [IX: The Road to Riches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/ix-the-road-to-riches)

Mentioned as part of the dramatic company; Mr. Sothern, a character actor, was also a member.

### [X: Another Successful Speculation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/x-another-successful-speculation)

Father of Charles S. Stratton; brings the child to meet Barnum at the Franklin Hotel.

### [In France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xii-in-france)

Accompanies the General as preceptor and translator; the General learns French quickly.

### [XIII: In Belgium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xiii-in-belgium)

Father of General Tom Thumb; suffers through the Waterloo excursion, is swindled by a farmer, and falls asleep during a haircut.

### [XVI: At Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xvi-at-home)

Father of General Tom Thumb; settles in Bridgeport with a fortune, builds a mansion, and arranges marriages for his daughters.

### [Other Enterprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xxiii-other-enterprises)

Father of General Tom Thumb; admitted as a partner in the traveling menagerie venture.

### [Public Lecturing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/chapters/xlii-public-lecturing)

Not directly mentioned in this chapter; excluded from active check-in.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters/sherwood_e_stratton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/struggles_and_triumphs_se/characters