William Tecumseh Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio, on February 8, 1820. His father died while he was still young. William was then raised by family friend and neighbor, Thomas Ewing. William married Ewing's daughter, Ellen.
Sherman attended West Point where he graduated in 1840. Sherman became a general in the American Civil War. Following the war, Sherman continued as head of the US Army.
Sherman had many careers aside from serving in the army. He was a bank partner, the Superintendent at the Louisiana State Seminary and Military Academy, and president of the Fifth Street Railroad. He retired in 1883 and died on February 14, 1891, in New York City.