Born in Detroit to a family of German immigrants, Sommer first studied drawing at the age of 11 with <a href=" https://findartvalue.com/artist/julius-gari-melchers">Julius Gari Melchers</a>. Pursuing a career in commercial lithography, Sommer apprenticed at Calvert Lithography in Detroit, 1881-88, and subsequently worked at various lithography shops in Boston, New York, and England. In 1890, he w