John William Summers Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1026-1029 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and 
	was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JOHN WILLIAM SUMMERS. 

	John William Summers, filling the office of city auditor at 
Yankton, was born in Kent, England, May 21, 1845. His father, John 
William Summers, was a native of the county of Essex, England, born 
July 18, 1821, but at an early age accompanied his parents on their 
removal to Kent county, the family settling in the town of Dartford, 
where John William Summers, Sr., was reared and spent his remaining 
days. His life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He reached 
the very advanced age of ninety years, passing away in 1909. In early 
manhood he had wedded Jane Allchin, a native of Horton Kirby, Kent 
county, England, born in 1828. She is still living at Dartford at the 
age of eighty-seven years. 

	John William Summers, whose name introduces this review, is the 
eldest in a family of eight children and was born, reared and educated 
in the town of Dartford. He left school at the age of sixteen years and 
for some time thereafter assisted his father in farm work but turned 
from agricultural pursuits to industrial interests and while yet a 
young man became a foreman with the Isaac Charles Cement Manufacturing 
Company. As time passed on he rose in the esteem and confidence of his 
employers, as he demonstrated his worth, his industry, energy and 
reliability, and was made manager of the branch plant at West Dreyton, 
Middlesex, where he continued for three and a half years. He next 
erected a lime manufacturing plant near Dunstavale, in the county of 
Middlesex, and managed that business until 1889, when he decided to 
come to the United States. He was commissioned by William Plankington 
to come to Yankton, South Dakota, to build the Yankton Portland cement 
plant and after this was completed he was made superintendent and 
continued to act in that capacity until March, 1909, when a change was 
effected in ownership, the plant passing into other hands after the 
death of Mr. Plankington. Mr. Summers continued as an employee but not 
as superintendent until May, 1910, when he was elected city auditor for 
a five years' term under the commission form of government. His work in 
this connection is highly efficient and satisfactory to all concerned. 
He devotes his time to the duties of the office and is making a most 
creditable record therein. 

	In 1867 Mr. Summers was united in marriage to Miss Julia 
Elizabeth Tolhurst, a native of Dartford, Kent county, England, and 
they have become parents of the following children: two who died in 
infancy; Mary Louise, who passed away while pursuing her education in 
Yankton; Elsie Kate, who died at the age of eighteen years; Florence, 
the wife of Charles Gaughran, a resident of Omaha, Nebraska; Maud Mary, 
also living in Omaha; Grace, the wife of Guy Livingston, of Yankton; 
Christina Julia, who is engaged in teaching kindergarten in Yankton; 
Dorothy, at home; John William, now of Arlington, Minnesota; and Ruth, 
who is also under the parental roof. 

	Mr. Summers has a military chapter in his life record, inasmuch 
as he served as a member of the Twelfth Kent Volunteers while in 
England. Following his arrival in the new world he began studying 
political situations and questions and has since given his vote to the 
republican party. He is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, A. F. &; 
A. M.; Yankton Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; Robert De Molay Commandery, 
No. 3, K. T.; and Oriental Consistory, No. 1, S. P. R. S. He has thus 
advanced far in Masonry and is in thorough sympathy with the purposes 
and teachings of the craft. He likewise has membership with the Knights 
of the Maccabees and with the Elks, while his religious faith is that 
of the Episcopal church. High and honorable principles have actuated 
him in all of his relations and have won for him the high regard of 
those with whom he has been brought in contact. Starting out in life 
for himself empty-handed at the age of sixteen years, he can truly be 
called a self-made man, for he has been both the architect and builder 
of his own fortune. He has worked earnestly and untiringly and, 
advancing step by step, his course has brought him to a creditable 
place.