Northumberland County Biographies File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sandy Jensen. USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. WILLIAM RICHARD SUMMERS. WILLIAM RICHARD SUMMERS was born 27 Apr 1847 in Wiltshire, England. According to his naturalization papers, he emigrated from Liverpool and arrived in the United States on November 1863. Thefamily bible has a notation that William Richard Summers met Sarah Venn onthe boat from England. In the 1910 Census he was 60 years old living in Shamokin, Pa with my wife Sarah Venn and my two daughters Florence and Edna. William Richard Summers married Sarah Venn in 1870. The family biblehas them married at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Shamokin, Pa. The1910 Census shows them married 40 years. William Richard Summers parents were born in England. Sarah Venn and William Richard Summers had thirteenchildren: (1) Elizabeth Ann Summers (Mar 21, 1871-May 3, 1928) (2) WillieSummers (Dec 21-1872-Dec 21-1872) (3) Thomas Edward Summers (Jul 21,1874-May 9, 1986) (4) William Richard Summers Jr. (Dec 8, 1876-Sep 12,1917) (5) Elizabeth Jane Summers (Dec 18, 1878-Nov 7, 1901) (6) JohnSummers (Apr 9, 1881-Mar 15, 1933) (7) Richard Summers (Jan 10, 1883-?) (8)Sarah Summers, (December 29, 1884-Nov 10, 1965) (9) Mary Ann Summers (Nov17, 1886-Jan 19, 1957) (10) Edward Richard Summers (Sep 19, 1899-Mar 7,1946) (11) Martha Priscilla Summers (Jun 26, 1891-Jan 23, 1893) (12)Florence Irene Victoria Summers (Aug 7, 1894-Jul 13, 1928) (13) Edna Mae Summers (March 27, 1897-Feb 25, 1955) William Richard Summers decided tomine coal, so he went to the Pennsylvania coal region- Shamokin,Pennsylvania. According to his Anthracite Miners Certificate he receivedhis compentency certificate on 7 Sep 1889, at Shamokin, Northumberland Co,Pa. SARAH VENN, the wife of William R. Summers from England, was born inEngland in 1857. Her parents are John Venn and Eplenth (?). John Venn wasborn in 1825, in England and became a naturalized citizen of the UnitedStates on Sep 25, 1880, at Northumberland Co, Pa when he was 55 years old.John Venn and Eplenth had these children; Elizabeth Venn b. Feb 26, 1843,Martha Venn b. May 18, 1846, Thomas Edward Venn b. Mar 28, 1850,England-became a naturalized citizen of the United States on Sep 25, 1880,John Venn (Apr 16, 1852-1904), England-became a naturalized citizen of theUnited States on Sep 29, 1882, Sarah Venn Jul 29, 1854-Mar 14, 1932 WilliamSummers and Sarah Venn had thirteen children. It should be noted here thatSarah Venn had a daughter child number 11. Martha Priscilla Summers (Jun26, 1891-Jan 23, 1893). The Northumberland County, burial records have aMartha Summers born Jun 1891, died Jan 16, 1893, born to Margaret Carrolland William Richard Summers Jr (Sarah Venn's son). I am guessing here thatSarah Venn and Margaret Carroll had daughters born in the same month, namedthe daughters the same name and these two daughters died 14 days apart.Sarah Venn died on 14 Mar 1932 of Myocardial Degeneration. Sarah Venn isburied in Mount Peace Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pa. Times were rough then andmoney was short, so I could not be transported to be buried with my husbandin Shamokin Cemetery. Sarah is not alone though, her daughters MaryKondaras and Edna McGrath are also buried in Mount Peace. Sarah Venn was 75years old. WILLIAM RICHARD SUMMERS JR., the fourth child of William R. Summers (Apr 27, 1897-Apr 24, 1915) and Sarah Venn (Jul 29, 1854-Mar 14,1932). William married Margaret Carrell. Margaret and William had fourknown children: (1.) Thomas Summer, child of William R. Summers Jr. wasborn (before 1923-about 1960) In 1923 Thomas married May Zong inNorthumberland County, Pa. May and Thomas had ten children. I listed only afew I have found; 1. Robert Emmett Summers (Nov 18, 1929-Jan 14, 1995).Robert Emmett Summers, was the sixth of ten children born to Thomas Summers(1923-about 1960) and May Zong. Robert born on November 18, 1929. Robertmarried Betty June McGlinn on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1950. Robert diedon January 14, 1995. Betty and I had six children. (Note: Sandy Jensen does not have any information on who these six children were). They divorced on(?). when Robert was 66 years old. (2.) Martha Summers, child of William R.Summers Jr, was born June 1891 and died on Jan 16,1893. Martha is buried inthe Shamokin Cemetery, Shamokin, Pa. Martha was 2 years old. (3.) GertrudeSummers (1902-Dec 25, 1908)., child of William R. Summers Jr Gertrudeisburied in the Shamokin Cemetery, Shamokin, Pa. Gertrude was 6 years old.(4.) John C. Summers (Jan 19, 1906-Dec 28, 1908), child of William R.Summers Jr. John C. is buried in the Shamokin Cemetery, Shamokin, Pa. JohnC was 2 years old. JOHN SUMMERS the sixth child born to William RichardSummers (Apr 27, 1847-Apr 24, 1915) and Sarah Venn (Jul 29, 1854-Mar 14,1932). John born in Boggs Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania on 9 Apr1881. John lived in Coal Township, Shamokin, Pa in 1900 with his parentsand siblings; Edward Richard (Sep 19, 1889-Mar 7, 1946), Sarah "Sadie" (Dec29, 1884-Nov 10, 1965), Mary Ann (Nov 17, 1886-Jan 19, 1957), FlorenceIrene Victoria (Aug 7, 1894-Jul 13, 1928) and Edna Mae (Mar 27, 1897- Feb25, 1955). John was a coal miner by trade and as dad said the mines were ahard job, but we had to eat. In 1904 John lived in Wilburton #2, Pa withhis wife Lavina Bradley there John's first child Sarah was born. In1909John lived on Pine Street in Kulpmont. John lived in Kulpmont on Jan20th 1914 when Lavina Elizabeth died. We lived in Kulpmont until 1923.Between 1923 and 1929 John moved to Philadelphia. In the 1920's there was adepression in coal mining, railroads, and textiles. By 1930, the slump wasapparent, technology had eliminated more industrial jobs than it hadcreated. Business failures increased and unemployment soared. People withdwindling incomes nonetheless had to pay their creditors-it was apparentthat the U.S. was in the grip of economic breakdown. Millions of peoplelost their jobs, savings and homes. The depression not only brought adeflation of incomes, but also of hope. In 1932, John was reading the paperand saw that George Herman Ruth "Babe Ruth", received his 1933 contractfrom the New York Yankees and promptly sent it back. The Yankees asked Babeto take a cut in the $75,000 salary her received the season before, theyoffered him $70,000 that season, after he drew $80,00 the previous seasonin 1931..So this season in 1932, they offered him $60,000. In 1933 oneAmerican worker in every four was out of a job. John Summers died onLeighgow Street in Philadelphia on 15 Oct 1933. John Summers is buried inthe All Saints Lutheran Cemetery, Kulpmont, Pa. next to John's sisterFlorence, wife Lavina, son Marple, and son John. John Summers was 52 yearsold. John Summers and Lavina Bradley had 11 children: William ThomasSummers ( Apr 17, 1903-Mar 17, 1910) Sarah Summers (Dec 28, 1904-Jun 21,1982) John ""Jack" Summers (Apr 25, 1907-Jun 19, 1975) Marple Samuel "Sam"Richard Summers (Dec 9,1909-Jun 18,1972) Lewis E. Summers (Feb 20, 1912- Feb17, 1913) Lavina Elizabeth Summers, (Nov 12, 1913-Jan 20, 1914) GeorgeSummers (Jan 16, 1915-Mar 14, 1916) Robert "Bob" James Summers (Jun 8,1916-Aug 19, 1980) Edward "Ed" Lambrose Summers (Sep 22, 1919-Aug 4, 1974)Lavina Elizabeth Summers, II (Mar 14, 1921-Oct 15, 1921) Minnie Mae Summers(Oct 28,1923-Oct 30,1923) LAVINA F. BRADLEY was born on 19 December 1884,in Centrailia, Pennsylvania. Lavina was the only daughter of WilliamBradley (1860-15 Jun 1907) and Mary Davis (Dec 1859-22 Apr 1894). Lavinahad four brothers: William, John, Richard, and Samuel. Lavina Bradleymarried John Summers on 15 March 1902. WILLIAM THOMAS SUMMERS the firstchild born to John Summers and Lavina Bradley. I was born in Pennsylvania.I could not find a record of William's birth in the Northumberland CountyCourt House. William's death certificate States that he died inNorthumberland County, City of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania and is signed byWilliam Summers who lived in Kulpmont, county of Northumberland,Pennsylvania. This could either be his grandfather or uncle. AlthoughWilliam Thomas could have been born in Wilburton, which was Cunninghamtownship, Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Willaim Thomas is buried inShamokin Cemetery as proved by the Shamokin Cemetery records. WillaimThomas was born 17 Apr 1903 and died on St. Patrick's Day 17 Mar 1910. Hewas 6 years, 11 months old. SARAH SUMMERS (Dec 28, 1904-Jun 21, 1982) andWilbur Lee Spicer. Sarah Summers the second child born to John Summers andLavina Bradley, was born on 28 Dec 1904 and died on 21 Jun 1982. SarahSummers was born in Wilburton, Pa, Cunningham Township Columbia County.Fellen is not her real middle name, Sarah decided to take that name when mymail was being mixed up with other Sarah Summers who lived in Sunbury atthat time. Sarah spent all of her married years in Centre County, where herfather John was born. Sarah Summers married Wilbur Lee Spicer on 15 Mar1927. Wilbur and Sarah had nine children: (1) Rena Clair Spicer (15 Jun1928-21 Oct 1990) married George Norman McCracken on 26 Oct 1946. (2)Lavina Bessie Spicer (4 Apr 1929-?) . married Robert Styers on 24 December1947. (3) Freida Marie Spicer (14 Oct 1930 -?). married Robert Kent Jacobson May 1950. (4) Wilbur Lee Spicer Jr., ( 3 Dec 1931-?) married in 1955 toShirley ?. (5) Roy Edward Spicer (17 Jan 1933-?). married on 1 Jul 1950 toIda ?. (6) Bradley Eugene Spicer (7 Jul 1935-?). married Lee Ann ?. (7)Glen Charles Spicer (21 Sep 1936-?) born 21 Sep 1936. I married Mary Sadleron 1 Jun 1957. (8) Barbara Lorraine Spicer (2 Aug 1943-?). married DonaldSmithley on 10 Dec 1960.(9) Michael Lynn Spicer (25 Jan 1950-?). marriedPatricia Wilson on 8 Nov 1968. Sarah Summers lived to be 78 years old.Sarah is buried in Centre County Memorial Park, Boalsburg, State College,Pennsylvania. when Sarah died, she had 9 children, 28 grandchildren, and 24great-grandchildren. Wilbur Lee Spicer was born on 13 Sept 1907, Milesburgtownship, Centre County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of George Spicer andBessie Walker. He died: Jun 1981, he was 73. Wilbur served in the 1340thSCU Detachment Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He enlisted on 8 Mar 1945at Harrisburg, Pa. He achieved the rank of Private, and was honorablydischarged on 10 Oct 1945. Wilbur was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 241pounds, black hair and hazel eyes. His cause of death was cerebralThrombosis. Wilbur was a heating technician. He is buried at Centre County Memorial Park, State College, Pa. JOHN SUMMERS Jr (Apr 25, 1907-Jun 19,1975) and Marie Consuella Wingate. John Summers Jr., was the third childborn to John Summers and Lavina Bradley. John was born 25 Apr 1907. From Jul 10, 1894 to July 31, 1945, John served in the United States Army andwas promoted to the rank of Sergeant before he was discharged. John married Marie Wingate on 26 Apr 1930, Marie was the daughter of James Wingate and Mary Finch. Marie was born in Philadelphia, Pa on 16 Nov 1909. MarieWingate 7 May 1979 at the Ashland State Hospital. She is buried in AllSaints Lutheran Cemetery, Kulpmont, PA. Marie and John had eight children:John, Roy, Roberta, Fred, Marple, Anna Mae, Robert James. John Summers diedon Jun 19, 1975. He is buried in the All Saints Lutheran Cemetery,Kulpmont, Pa. next to his mother and father Lavina, John, and brother, Sam. MARPLE SAMUEL RICHARD SUMMERS (Dec 9, 1909-Jun 18, 1972) and Teresa Murray,and Irma Campbell, and Florence Frances Riley. Marple Samuel RichardSummers was born on 9 December 1909 in Kulpmont, Pennsylvania. Marple was19 when he married Teresa Murray, from Green Ridge on 16 November 1928.They divorced on 27 March 1933. When Marple was 25, he married IrmaCampbell. They married on 17 February 1934. We did not have any childrenand we never did divorce. Marple met Florence Minford in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania shortly after 1949. Marple moved in and they stayed common-lawmarried for twenty-five years until Marple died. FLORENCE FRANCES RILEY wasthe daughter of Clarence Joseph Riley and Florence Smith. She was born on12 Dec 1921 at Philadelphia, Pa. In 1937, she married (1) Raymond WilliamMinford. Raymond and Floss had four children; Raymond, Florence Dorothy,Marie Elizabeth, Edward Joseph Minford, Florence and Marple Summers had twochildren: Sandralee Summers, Lavina Bradley Summers. LEWIS E. SUMMERS. wasthe fifth child born to John Summers and Lavina Bradley. Lewis was born 20Feb 1912 at Wilburton #2 and died on 17 Feb 1913. Sandy Jensen has not beenable to find any record of my existence. This is from family recollection.There is no record of Lewis's birth or death in the Northumberland CountyCourthouse records nor the Shamokin Cemetery records. The CentrailiaCemetery records do not have any Summers buried in any of their cemeteries.The Zion Methodist Church in Arisits, PA is presently searching theircemetery records for me. LAVINA ELIZABETH SUMMERS I (Nov 12, 1913-Jan 20,1914), the sixth child born to John Summers and Lavina Bradley. Lavina wasborn on 12 Nov 1913, she died on 20 Jan 1914. She died of Whooping Cough.She is buried in the Shamokin Cemetery. I was 2 months old. GEORGE SUMMERS(Jan 16, 1915-Mar 14, 1916) , the seventh child born to John Summers andLavina Bradley. George was born on 16 Jan 1915 and died on 14 Mar 1916.ROBERT JAMES SUMMERS (Jun 8, 1916-Aug 19, 1980) and Mabel Viola Shaw RobertJames Summers, the eighth child born to John Summers and Lavina Bradley. Hewas born on June 8, 1916, at home on Pine Street in a small town calledKulpmont, Pennsylvania. Kulpmont is just a few miles east of Shamokin.Robert died the 19th day of August 1980. There were no children from thiscouple.MABLE VIOLA SHAW was the first of three children born to WilliamThomas Shaw and Elizabeth Garver. Mabel was born on Dec 31, 1915, inPhiladelphia, Pa. EDWARD LAMBROSE SUMMERS ( Sep 22, 1919-Nov 16, 1937)Edward Lambrose Summers was the ninth child born to John Summers and LavinaBradley. He was born on 22 Sep 1919 in Kulpmont, Pennsylvania. On 16 Nov1937, Edward married Irene Mildred Bistline. IRENE MILDRED BISTLINE was thedaughter of Roy Bistline and Lula Patton. Irene was born on Feb 2, 1921,Altoona, Pa. She died Jul 6, 1989 in Philadelphia, Pa. Irene and Edward had four beautiful children. (1.) Roy Edward Summers (13 Jan 1938 -7 Oct 1989)(2.) Irene Lavina Summers (27 Jan 1940- 23 Jun 1993) (3.) Betty June Summers (27 Jul 1944-4 Sep 1980) (4.) Irma Jean Summers (16 Jun 1947-still living).Edward died on 4 Aug 1974. SARAH SUMMERS (Dec 29, 1884-Nov 10, 1965) SarahSummers, the eigth child born to William Richard Summers (Apr 27, 1847-Apr24, 1915) and Sarah Venn (Jul 29, 1854-Mar 14, 1932). Sarahs born December 1885, and married Marple P. Jones. Sarah died sometime in the 1950's. Marple P. Jones was died on Jun 8, 1951, he was 69 years old. Her is buriedin Mount Peace Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pa. Sarahis buried with my father inthe Shamokin Cemetery, Northumberland Co, Pa. MARY ANN SUMMERS (Nov 17,1886- Jan 19, 1957) Mary Ann Summers, the nineth child of eight born toWilliam Richard Summers (Apr 27, 1847-Apr 24, 1915) and Sarah Venn (Jul 29,1854-Mar 14, 1932). Mary Ann Summers was born on November 17, 1888, inPennsylvania. Mary Ann Summers first married Adam Porteous. Mary Ann Summers and Adam Porteous had one child: William Adam. Mary Ann marriedsecond time to Angelo Kondaras. was born on April 17, 1883, in Greece. Hedied on May 3, 1955 EDWARD RICHARD SUMMERS (Sep 19, 1889- Mar 7, 1946)Edward Richard Summers was the tenth child of thirteen born to WilliamRichard Summers (Apr 27, 1847-Apr 24, 1915) and Sarah Venn (Jul 29,1854- Mar 14, 1932). Edward Richard Summers was born on September 19, 1889in Coal Township, Northumberland Co, Pa. Edward Richard Summers married IdaM. Kahney on Feb 15, 1910 in Northumberland Co, Pa. Ida M. Kahney is buriedin Shamokin Cemtery, next to her husband. Edward Richard Summers died onMar 7, 1946, he is buried in Shamokin Cemetery, Northumberland Co, Pa nextto Idah his wife. Edward Richard Summers and Idah Kahney had twelvechildren: Caroline Beatrice Summers (Aug 20, 1910-May 1961) Mary EdnaMartha Summers (May 29, 1912-Jul 18 1971) Sarah "Sally" Mae Summers (Jun 1,1914-still living) Ida Blanche Summers (Jul 27, 1916- Jan 5, 1978) EdwardRichard Summers Jr., (Jul 27, 1918-still living) William John "Tug" Summers(Jul 21, 1921-still living) Levina Summers (Mar 21, 1923-Feb 16, 1977)James John Lambrose Summers (Jun 14, 1925-Nov 16, 1978) Elizabeth AnnSummers (Oct 29, 1927-May 29, 1979) Levi Silvester Summers (Jan 17,1931-still living) Thomas Arnold Summers (Jan 27, 1935-Mar 4, 1983) EdnaMargaret Summers (Feb 12, 1937-still living) FLORENCE IRENE SUMMERS (Aug 7,1894-Jul 13, 1928) (Note: Sandy Jensen does not have anything on this childbut would very much like to obtain information) Florence Irene VictoriaSummers, was born 7 August 1894 in Boydtown, Pa, the present day town ofShamokin, Pa. Florence was the daughter of William Richard Summers (Apr 27,1847-Apr 24, 1915) and Sarah Venn (Jul 29, 1854- Mar 14, 1932. I died on Jul13, 1928. EDNA MAE SUMMERS and LeRoy Eisher and James L. Lambrose and JamesMcGrath Edna Mae Summers was the thirteenth child of thirteen born toWilliam Richard Summers (Apr 27, 1847-Apr 24, 1915) and Sarah Venn (Jul 29,1854-Mar 14, 1932). Edna Mae Summers was born Mar 27, 1897, in Boydtown theEast District of Coal Township, Town of Shamokin in Northumberland Co., Pa.Edna first married LeRoy Eisher in 1933, in Northumberland County, Pa. Ednamarried her second husband James L. Lambrose, date unknown. James J.Lambrose died Mar 7, 1928. In 1932, Edna Mae Summers was living at 213 E.5th Street in Chester, Pa. Edna paid for her mother Sarah (Venn) Summers' funeral. James J. Lambtose was first buried in Odd Fellows cemetery inPhiladelphia in 1950 Their bodies were moved to the present day Mount PeaceCemetery in Philadelphia. James J. Lambrose died of Gastric Hemorrhage.Edna married her third husband James McGrath. James McGrath died on Feb 7,1955, he was buried in New Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pa at 2nd andButler Streets. Edna Mae Summers died of Coronary Occlusion on Feb 25,1955, at Hemorrhage Hospital at 8:40 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa. She was 57years old. Edna is buried at Mount Peace Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pa. Edna Mae Summers' last residence was 2023 Wallace Street, (city unknown)