William Eugene Sumrow 1869-1949 (100)

William E. Sumrow in his uniform from the
Spanish American War.

William Eugene Sumrow was born on 04 Jul 1869 in Double Bridges Township, Lauderdale County, Tennessee. His birth and death date can be found on his death certificate, which also gives his parents' names. He was the fifth child of his parents Benjamin Franklin Sumerow and Nancy Elizabeth Brandon. Like his father, he was of short, stocky build with very light blond hair and icy blue eyes. His life began in tragedy when his father died while William was still an infant.


In the 1870 Federal Census, a one year old William can be found in District 7, Lauderdale, Tennessee with his widowed mother and his older siblings:

William Sumrow with his widowed mother and siblings in the 1870 Federal Census in Lauderdale County, TN.

A few years after his father's death, William's mother married again (in 1873), to Isaac Winston, a distant cousin on her mother's side. Isaac proved to be a poor choice for a husband, since he was a violent man, and inclined to drink which made him worse. He was a bad example for Nancy's young boys, and it was a dangerous situation for all of them. After one of his violent outbursts, William's mother decided to take her family and move as far away as possible. Her brother had moved to Denton County Texas, many years before, and she decided to join him there.

William in the 1880 Federal Census living with his mother, and three brothers in Denton County, Texas.

William Eugene Sumrow (1869-1949)

They left Tennessee with a train of covered wagons, and set off across country. At one point on the long trek, they came across a field of wild strawberries. The wheels of the wagons crushed the berries, so that the air was rich with strawberry scent. William told this story to his children, many years after the event. In 1880, the family can be found in Precinct 1, Denton, Texas, United States.  They lived in Denton County for many years.

We know from family lore and from census records that William had a first marriage, though we have yet to learn the identity of his first wife. Shortly after that first marriage, he left America to serve his county. William's tombstone reflects his service during the Spanish-American War. His military records show that he joined the army 31 December 1896, at the age of twenty-seven. He left American soil and sailed to the Philippine Islands, where he was stationed on the island of Jolo. He fought from there throughout his service. He was discharged Dec 1899 as a Sargeant in the 23rd Texas Infantry.

During his service, he learned that his wife had fallen in love with another man, and wanted a divorce. He signed the papers to free her to marry again, but then he was not anxious to return to his lonely home. When the war was over, the troupes were being shipped back to America, but he decided that he would take advantage of the unique opportunity to explore the orient. So, he and a traveling buddy had the ship drop them off in Hong Kong. From there they walked across China and India, before finally catching a transport ship home to America. It took him over a year to complete his trek, so he does not show up in the 1900 Census.

A few years after he returned home to Texas, he met a lovely young woman who was working as a clerk at her uncle's dry goods store. She helped William find his supplies, and he fell in love with her. He began to frequent the store, and then to court the young lady. Ida Ophelia Gilley consented to marry him, and on 03 May 1903, they took a train to the courthouse in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma. Rumor has it that after obtaining their license there, they were married on the train before returning to Texas.

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His marriage is proved by his marriage certificate, which gives the following:

William and Ida Sumrow posing for
their wedding picture.

CHICKASAW NATION MARRIAGES ARDMORE COURTHOUSE GROOM INDEX 1895 - 1907

Transcribed by MARY TURNER KINARD COPYRIGHT 27 APR 1992 Mary Kinard

Groom SUMROW, WILLIAM E

Age 33

Bride GILLEY, EDA APHELIA [Ida Ophelia]

Age 22

Date 3 MAY 1903 

Residence DUNCAN

Book (Clerk's Record Book G)

Page 261

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William and Ida had the following children:

1) Merritt Blair Surow b. 13 Apr 1904 in Altus, Jackson, Oklahoma; d. 16 Aug 1965 in Bexar, Texas m. Sophie Lokey

2) James Oran Sumrow  b. 9 Jan 1906 Denton, Denton, TX; d. 13 Nov 1990 Roswell, Chaves, New Mexico m. Adaline Smith

3) Vera May Sumrow 6 Apr 1907 Denton, Denton, TX; d. 1 Apr 1995 in Alvin, Brazoria, TX m. 1st Clyde Russell Owens, 2nd ____ Scarborough

4) Zora Elizabeth Sumrow b. 26 Feb 1910 Denton, Denton, TX; d. 2 Sep 1999 Jacksonville, Duval, FL m. 1st James Lee Owens, 2nd ___ Suggs, 3rd ____ Da Aman

5) Infant Daughter Sumrow b. 16 May 1912 Denton, Denton, TX; d. 16 May 1912 Denton, Denton, TX

6) William Franklin Sumrow b. 5 Sep 1913 Denton, Denton, TX; d. 5 Aug 1975 Chactaw, Oklahoma, Oklahoma m. Crystal Hale Lokey

7) Thomas Ellis Sumrow b. 11 Nov 1917 in Denton, Denton, TX; d. 20 Jun 1972 in Houston, Harris, TX m. Eunice Parker

8) Royce Sumrow b. 28 Sep 1920 Papalote, Bee, Texas; d. 15 Dec 2008 Huntington Beach, Orange, CA m. Allene Hyatt Whitcomb

9) Weldon Sumrow b. 13 Jul 1923 in Winters, Runnels, TX; d. Jun 1946 Hico, Hamilton, TX m. unknown

"William E. Sumroe" and family in the 1910 Census in Denton County, Texas.

They lived in Denton city, Denton County, Texas where they can be found in the 1910 Census. After her parents died, Ida inherited Gilley land, so they relocated to one of her father's farms in Bee County, Texas where they can be found in the 1920 Census. 

William & Ida with most of their children at a family
gathering. Weldon had died before this picture was taken.
Ida had lost her nose to cancer.

William Sumrow in the 1920 Federal Census in Bee County, Texas.

Since they inherited several properties, they tended to move around a great deal. Sometimes they would lease out a farm for some years, only to move there when it became vacant. In 1930, they can be found in Precinct 4, Willacy County, Texas for the Census. William spent a great deal of time traveling around to keep an eye on his extensive property, to advise his tenants on farming, and to do maintenance work when required. He believed in hard work, and was rarely idle.

"W.E. Sumrow" and family in the 1930 Census in Willacy County, Texas.

The top part of the state is cut off in this map, but this give some indication of how William E. Sumrow and his family lived in many far-flung places in the state during his life.

William and Ida began life as Hard-Shell Baptists, a particularly strict sect that had strong Calvinistic leanings. Royce said that they were drummed out of the church for asking too many questions, but that may have been due to their already becoming involved with the Bible study group that later became known as the Jehovah's Witnesses (founded by Charles T. Russell and Joseph F. Rutherford). This made them even stricter parents than they had already been, and caused great tension in their home. Their insistence on hard work, and pious lifestyle was difficult enough for their rambunctious sons, but add to that the lack of any type of holiday or recreation to relieve the tension, and it made for an uncomfortable home life. Most of the boys chose to leave home at an early age, rather than continue to deal with their difficult parents. This must have been a great source of sorrow to William and Ida.

William Sumrow in the 1940 Census. They had given their land to eldest son, Merrit Sumrow, and were
living as borders in the home of Fred Henson in Arch, Roosevelt County, New Mexico where they
 could be near some of their grandchildren.

In his eightieth year, William was still a spry fellow who took care of many household chores. In September, the weather turned cold, and he decided it was time to put the air conditioner in the barn for the winter. He had already removed the cumbersome machine from the window when he stumbled over a hose left carelessly across the lawn. In his fall, the heavy air conditioner landed on top of him. He died of internal bleeding, on 23 Sep 1949, and was buried on 25 Sep 1949 in Hico Cemetery, in Hico, Hamilton County, Texas. 

His grave marker can be found in Hico Cemetery. It is a Double Tombstone, which reads: Ida O. Sumrow Sept. 8 1880 June 20. 1953 "Mother" William E. Sumrow Texas Sgt. 23 Infantry Sp Am War July 4, 1869 Sept. 23, 1949 "Father". Near them is their son, whose stone reads: Weldon Eugene Sumrow July 13, 1923 June 2, 1946.