Wife of General William Tecumseh Sherman, Eleanor was known for her many philanthropic activities. She was the daughter of the Honorable Thomas Ewing, who served on the cabinet of President Taylor. The President & the entire cabinet attended her 1850 wedding to General Sherman, who had lived with the family since the death of his father in 1829.
Wyoming Democrat. Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. 30 Nov, 1888, Fri.
Mrs Sherman Dead. The Wife of the Famous Soldier Passes Away in New York. New York, Nov. 29– Mrs. Ellen Ewing Sherman, wife of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, died at her home, 75 West Seventy first street.
Mrs. Sherman's husband was by her bedside when she passed away, as were her daughters Rachel and Lizzie, and her son, Tecumseh.
These three children, who have been living at home, have been very constant in their attendance in the sick room.
Mrs. Sherman was a daughter of Gen. Thomas Ewing, ex-governor of Ohio. Her death follows a series of heart troubles which have extended over about five years, but have taken on a serious aspect only within the last few weeks.
Besides the children who were with her when she died, she leaves another son, Thomas Ewing Sherman, a Jesuit student at Woodstock, Md., and two other daughters, Mrs. Minnie S. Fitch, of Edgemont, Pa., and Mrs. Ella M. Thackera, of Rosemond, Pa.
Mrs. Sherman was 64 years old, and her married life had extended over thirty-eight years.
The general is much prostrated by the loss of his wife.
Mrs. Sherman was a Catholic in religion, and stood very high in the councils of the church, Pope Pius 1X having once sent her as a testimonial of his testimonial of his esteem, as rosary of solid gold, with a fragment of "the true cross" set in the crucifix. This gift was highly prized by the faithful recipient.
The dead woman was an earnest worker in the charities of the church, and was widely known for her generosity and untiring zeal. She was one of the trustees in America of the Peter's pence fund.
The absent members of the Sherman family were sent for Tuesday, when it became evident that the wife and mother was failing. The two brothers of Mrs Sherman, Gen. Hugh Ewing and Mr. P.B.Ewing, of Lancaster, O., also received an urgent summons to New York.
The funeral services will be held at the Sixteenth Street Jesuit church.After these preliminary services the body will be taken to St. Louis, where the funeral mass will be said and the interment will take place.
The eldest son of Mrs. Sherman, thomas Ewing Sherman, is at present completing his theological studies at the Seminary of the Jesuits at Woodstock, Howard county, Md. In a little while he will be promoted to the sacred duty of the priesthood.
The abandonment of his brilliant prospects in the world by this talented young fellow some years ago, to devote himself to the church, was a matter of regret to the general, but Mrs. Sherman was filled with a holy joy at sacrificing her son to the Lord.