 West Hill Cemetery Sherman, Texas  Ellen D. Rotramel 1814 - 1918 Sherman Daily Democrat Saturday, August 17, 1912 pg. 4  front row - on the right, great-great-grandmother, Mrs. Ellen D. Rotramel; on the left, great-grandmother, Mrs. Hattie M. Sumner Top row - Grandfather Charles L. Sumner; mother, Mrs. Lota Sumner McClure & baby, Sam Sumner McClure A
family reunion held here recently in this city brought out some
interesting information regarding one of the pioneer families here.
Mrs. Lota Sumner McClure and son, Master Sam McClure of Fort
Worth were here for a visit with her father, Charles L. Sumner, agent
for the United States Express company; her grandmother, Mrs. Hattie M.
Sumner and great-grandmother, Mrs. Ellen D. Rotramel, and a photograph
of the five generations was made.
Mrs. Ellen D. Rotramel, whose maiden name was Frazier, was born on a large plantation, the home of her parents, 26 miles from Natchez, Mississippi, on September18, 1813, and is now nearing the close of her 99th year. Mrs. Hattie M. Sumner is 77 years of age. She was born 25 miles from Nashville, Tennessee, December 1, 1835. Her maiden name was Sanders and she was married to Sam Sumner in New Orleans and started to New York, the former home of her husband, but met with some friends on their way to Texas and joined them, arriving here in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Sumner's first home in Sherman was on Houston street where a part of the Murphy building now stands. Mr. Sumner was a watch maker and jewelryman and purchased property next to the corner of Travis and Houston streets on the north side of Houston street where he established himself for work, the family living in the rear of the store. Mrs. Sumner's parents did not come to Texas until several months after her arrival here. When questioned as to the appearance of the town upon her arrival here Mrs. Sumner stated there were only frame buildings scattered about at intervals and that they built the first sidewalks here. She recalls only one person now living in the city who was here then and that is Mrs. Shackleford, mother of Mrs. R. Walsh. She talks interestingly of the hardships endured during the war between the states. Her husband, being a northern man, was imprisoned at Little Rock, Arkansas, for 10 months and after being released, made his way northward and again made New York his home for about 3 years, during which time she was here with her mother and children. Another incident of interest was the great fire of 1875 which destroyed almost the entire city and in which Mr. and Mrs. Sumner lost heavily, she being in the millinery business and her husband postmaster. They also owned five buildings in the business district which were a total loss. Mr. Sumner died during his term as postmaster and she was chosen to finish out the term in his stead. Mrs. Rotramel is the mother of 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters. The daughters are Mrs. Mary Kennard of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mrs. Hattie V. Sumner of this city and Mrs. Josephine Blackburn of Tyler. The sons are all dead. She resides on South Throckmorton street and enjoys fairly good health. Mrs. Sumner's children are Mrs. Sophia Green of Denver, Colorado, and Messrs. Charley, Fred and Robert Sumner of this city. She lives with her son, Fred, at the corner of Brockett and Lee streets. C.L. Sumner is agent for the United States Express company and enjoys the friendship of a whole circle of friends. The Whitewright Sun Friday, March 23, 1917 pg. 6 Centenarian Died At Sherman Sherman, Tex., March 20 - Mrs. Ellen D. Rotrammel, Sherman's oldest and one of her best known citizens, is dead after having reached the ripe age of 103 years. Mrs. Rotrammel quietly passed away at her home, No. 611 Throckmorton street, last evening about 10 o'clock from the effects of paralysis suffered last Sunday morning. The end came peacefully and with little suffering. The funeral services were held this afternoon, conducted from the late residence in charge of Rev. R.C. Bell, pastor of the Houston Street Church of Christ. The remains were conveyed to West Hill cemetery where interment was made. On September 18, of last year Mrs. Rotrammel celebrated her 103rd anniversary in a quiet way at her home. West Hill Cemetery Elaine Nall Bay ©2016 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |