family relocated to Waco, Texas in 1852 via covered wagon. Kate was the fourth born of 13 McCall children, and she and her siblings were homeschooled. She graduated from the Waco Female College in 1865.

In 1867, Rotan accepted a teaching position at an East Waco school. It was there that she met Edward Rotan, a fellow educator, and the two married on August 22, 1869. The couple had nine children together, including Katherine Rotan Drinker, four