Nelson P. Summers, Dr. (1921)

COOK, DUNN, GOOCH, HILL, RIFE, SUMMERS

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/24/2009 at 17:26:50

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa

February 16, 1921

DR. NELSON P. SUMMERS

Nelson P. Summers was born May 25, 1846, near Porter, in Gallia county, Ohio, being a member of a family of 11 children, whose parents were David and Eliza Summers.

His early years were passed on a farm and later he was apprenticed to a shoemaker at which trade he became proficient. During the civil war, he enlisted as soon as old enough to be accepted, as a private in Company B, 193d Ohio Infantry. Soon after his discharge in 1865, he was united in marriage to Virginia Gooch, who became the mother of his family of six children. She came to Iowa after he had permanently located at Van Meter, where she died May 24, 1892. On June 27, 1900, he was united in marriage with Jessie M. Hill, who survives him.

As a young man his ambition was to become a physician, and after working at his regular vocation for several years, he secured sufficient funds to enable him to complete the medical course in the Columbus university at Columbus, Ohio. He practiced for a few years in Ohio, but in 1884 came to Iowa locating at Van Meter where his family soon joined him.

For the past 37 years he has faithfully administered to the needs of the people, day and night, over a constantly increasing territory, with but little care for his own inclinations, personal comfort or hope for reward in many instances. At the age of 19 years he was baptized and became a member of the Methodist church, while living in Ohio. His many acts of charity and desire to assist others at all times has won a large place in the hearts of the people of this vicinity who valued him, not only as a physician but as a sincere friend.

His last illness begun early in November, and terminated in death on the morning of Feb. 5, 1921. He bore his suffering with the utmost patience. The medical profession did everything possible and his wife and son gave him every attention, but there was no averting the final summons.

Those of his immediate family, who survive him are his wife, Jessie M. Summers; six children: Mrs. W. W. Cook of Dawson, Mrs. Ivol Rife of Des Moines, Mrs. Clarence Dunn and T. R. Summers of Van Meter, Carson Summers of West Side and Hal Summers of Sheldon. Also eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, three brothers and three sisters.

He was a member of the G.A.R., Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Fortitude Lodge No. 256, A.F. & A.M., Des Moines Consistory No. 2, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He was especially interested in Free Masonry and was the first district lecturer in Fortitude lodge. The growth and success of the order in Van Meter was largely due to his untiring efforts.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Elliott at the M. E. church and G. E. Ettinger of Casey, concluded with the Masonic burial service at the church and Van Meter cemetery, where the remains were laid to rest.