Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 667 - 668 

SIDNEY C. SUMMERS came to the eastern part of this county in October, 1874, and purchased a quarter-section of land in Minneha Township at $4.35 per acre. Since that time he has been a continuous resident here, giving his attention to the cultivation of the soil, and building up one of the most desirable homesteads in Sedgwick County. His property lies on section 7, and with the exception of six acres assigned as right of way to the 'Frisco Railroad, Mr. Summers owns 240 acres in Minneha, and 160 acres in Park Township, all of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. His first purchase is now valued at $75 per acre, and considering the price which he paid it is hardly necessary to state that he has been diligent in all those things tending to enhance its value.

             Mr. Summers was born and reared on a farm in Iredell County, N. C., first opening his eyes to the light Feb. 4, 1844. His parents, Hiram and Nancy Summers, were also natives of that State, and spent their last years there, where they passed from earth, at the ages of sixty and forty years respectively. Young Summers was reared to farming pursuits, and left his native State in 1864 for Illinois. From there, eleven years later, he migrated to Kansas, and has since made his home in this county. In addition to general farming he is now extensively engaged in stock-raising, dealing mostly in horses and hogs.

             Upon the outbreak of the late war young Summers enlisted in a South Carolina regiment, and afterward served in the navy at Charleston for a term of eighteen months. He was present at the bombardment of Ft. Sumter, and was subsequently taken prisoner by the troops of Gen. Sherman, and sent to New York, remaining a prisoner of war three months, and until released at the close of the conflict by the United States Government. He remains loyal to the principles in which he was reared, and still holds to the belief that the South was justifiable in the prosecution of the war against the North. His father was a man of property, and a slaveholder. Mr. Summers has in his possession a large roll of Confederate $20 bills, dated at Richmond, Va., Feb. 17, 1864, which now, after a lapse of twenty-four years, are in a good state of preservation.

             Mr. Summers not long after the close of the war took up his residence in Henry County, Ill., and on the 27th of September, 1865, in that county was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Young, who was born in Scotland, July 3, 1847, and came with her parents to the United States when a child. They located first in Ogle County, whence they removed to Princeton, and subsequently to Henry County, where they live in the enjoyment of good health.

             Mr. and Mrs. Summers are the parents of nine children. Their eldest, Mary N., was born Aug. 16, 1866; William Harrison, March 19, 1869; James Franklin, Aug. 22, 1871; John Clingman, May 1, 1874; Maggie C. and Alice J. (twins), March 8, 1877; Hiram, March 11, 1878; Annie, Dec. 18, 1881; Mabel Grace, Dec. 13, 1885; and Bertie, who was born Nov. 4, 1880, and died Feb. 1, 1881. Mary N. was married, June 29, 1885, to J. H. Harpstrit, a prosperous farmer of Minneha Township, who operates on section 4, near the Summers' homestead. The children have all been well educated, and present a bright and intellectual group of which the parents may well be proud.

             The residence of Mr. Summers was erected in 1875, and both it and the barn are neat and substantial structures, fully in keeping with the enterprise and thrift which have also brought about many other substantial improvements upon the place. Not the least among them is a thrifty young orchard, which is already yielding handsome returns to the hand which planted it, and, as may be supposed, is the object of his especial care. Mr. Summers several years ago was seriously injured by a horse falling upon him, and since that time has been able to perform but little hard labor. He has been the Assessor of his district for four consecutive years, and in politics is decidedly Democratic.

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