Eleanor Sherman Thackara

Eleanor Mary Sherman Thackara (1859 - 1915), is most known as the daughter of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman of American Civil War fame and his wife, Ellen Ewing Sherman.

Early life

Childhood

Known as “Ellie” in the correspondence between her and her father, she was one of eight children, but little is known about her childhood. In 1879 and at the age of 20, Eleanor met Alexander Montgomery Thackara in Washington, D. C. The two began a courtship that lasted a year before their marriage on May 5, 1880.

Family

In 1881, the Lt. Thackara left military service, moving to Philadelphia with Eleanor to join the family business. While there, the couple spent three years in the town of Rosemont where Eleanor gave birth to four children, Alexander Montgomery “Mont”, William Sherman “Sherman”, Elizabeth, and Eleanor. Eleanor was also mentioned in the New York Evangelist as an upcoming writer as she weighed in on the idea of training schools in Philadelphia, but little else is known about her career in writing.

Later life

Philanthropy

In 1897, Thackara was appointed by President William McKinley to serve as US Consul in Le Havre, France, moving the entire family overseas. While living in France, Eleanor’s she served with the Red Cross in Paris, and received awards for her work in the organization.

In 1905, Thackara was re-stationed as Consul General in Berlin and Eleanor was elected President of the American Women’s Club, a social organization.

Death

In 1913, Eleanor and Thackara returned to Paris when President Woodrow Wilson appointed the Lieutenant as Consul General once again. She died two years after their return.

Eleanor Sherman Thackara died on July 18, 1915. She was survived by her four children and her husband Alexander.