Schrum, Elisha

Elisha Schrum, 86 years of age, the oldest citizen of Big Sandy, 
passed from this life at 3 o'clock Thursday morning at his home. 
(1923) 

Funeral services were held in his home with the Rev W R Arrington 
officiating. Mrs Grady Ferrell sang, "Death is Only a Dream" which 
was very impressive. Mrs Ruth Wood played the piano. After the 
services he was taken to the Grice Cemetery and laid to rest with 
the members of his loved ones who had preceded him in death. 

Mr Schrum was born in North Carolina in 1837. At the age of 21 with 
his two older brothers, Jacob and John, came to Texas and settled 
ten miles west of Gilmer, where several of his children still live. 
He served the entire four years in the Civil War without receiving 
one scratch of injury. His service record shows that he was in 
Company D,10 Texas Dismounted Calvary. He enlisted in 1861 in Upshur 
County, Texas. 

Mr Schrum was a great conversationalist--often young boys would crowd 
around him to hear him tell of his war tales. They never grew old to 
them. Till his very last hours he would joke with the physicians. He 
was a devoted husband and father and was ever ready to help those who 
needed him. It has been said that he, through gratis, made all the 
coffins for the dead for miles around his pioneer home for many years 
after the close of the war. 

Mr Schrum was twice married. He was first, in 1866, united in marriage 
with Arie Williams, daughter of P K Williams, who preceded him in death 
in 1872. In 1883, he married the former Mollie Cumbie, daughter of W B 
Cumbie, Sr. He reared a large family--six daughters and six sons. Three 
infants preceded him in death and two grown sons, Gibb and Elisha Jr. He 
left to mourn his death a devoted wife and the following: Mesdames Homer 
Odom of Gilmer, Anna Dickenson of Stamford, Texas, M C and F C Florence 
of Rhonesboro, and Misses Ara Schrum and Beulah Schrum of Big Sandy; H F 
Schrum of Stamford, Texas, C M Schrum of Big Sandy, Texas; Roger and 
Jake Schrum of Rhonesboro. Seventeen grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs 
Lawrence Wade, Mrs Lem Wilburn and Mrs Adolphus King and two brothers, 
John Schrum and Frank Schrum and a host of nieces and nephews.