John A. Summers
History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
May be copied for non-profit purposes.
USGENWEB Montana Archives

John A. Summers, a prominent and successful stock raiser 
of the Bitter Root Valley was born in Taney County Missouri, 
August 22, 1849. In an early day his ancestors came from 
England to the colony of Virginia and they were Loyalists 
during the Revolutionary War. The grandfather of our subject, 
John Summers, was born in Virginia, but in an early day 
removed to Kentucky where he was among the brave pioneers. 
His son, Henry L, the father of our subject, was born in 
that State in 1824, was married in Missouri to Miss Mary 
Olive Samuel, a native of Tennessee, and they had seven 
children. Although of Southern birth, Mr. Summers was a 
Union man during the late war. His death occurred in 1861 
from the effects of a severe cold. His wife is still 
living, aged sixty-two years.John A. their eldest child, 
received his education in the public schools of his native 
State. At the age of eighteenyears he began learning the 
blacksmith's trade and two years afterward made the 
journey to Montana. He came by railto Corinne and 
walked the remainder of the distance paying $10.00 
for the privilege of joining a party who carried his 
blankets for him. After arriving in this State, Mr. 
Summers worked as a journeyman at Deer Lodge for 
three years,receiving $5 a day; next conducted a 
blacksmith shop at Blackfoot City two seasons; 
traveled through Oregon and California; in the 
following spring returned to Montana; conducted a 
shop at Missoula one year; followed that occupation 
in Corvallis from 1875 until 1883; and in the latter 
year came to what is now the town of Grantsdale.Mr. 
Summers purchased 480 acres of his present farm and 
has since been successfully engaged in raising, 
buying and selling cattle. He has added to his 
original purchase until he now owns 800 acres on 
which in 1888 he erected a beautiful and commodious 
residence.Mr. Summers was married January 6, 1878 
to Miss Judie Chaffin, a daughter of Elijah Chaffin. 
She was born nearFort Scott Kansas and came with her 
parents to Montana in 1864. To this union have been 
born six children--Mary M (deceased at the age of 
three years), Viola Inez, Maggie F., Nettie Edith, 
Frederick and Herbert L.

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