SUMMERS, William G.

SUMMERS, STONE

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 1/10/2005 at 12:03:17

Mills County Tribune
23 May 1901

Death of Mr. Summers

Another of Mills county’s oldest and most respected citizens has gone to his eternal reward. William G. Summers died at his home in White Cloud township Thursday evening at 11 o’clock. He had been ailing for the past two months from heart trouble and it became so pronounced the past week or two that it was evident his end was near. Mr. Summers can justly lay calm in being one of the eldest settlers in Mills county having been here since 1855. He was born near Pekin in Tazewell county, Illinois, March 25, 1831 and in consequence was a little over the 3 year score and ten traditionally allotted to man. As has been told, he moved to Mills county in 1855 and settled on the farm in White Cloud township where he has lived ever since. He was an excellent man although his manner was apparently rough. He was the one of the best hearted men in the world always obliging generous and hospitable. The funeral was held at his residence Sunday morning at 10 o’clock and it was then quite evident how high Mr. Summers stood in the affection and esteem of his neighbors and friends. The large country home was packed with the hundreds of people who came to pay their last respects to the deceased. The funeral procession to the Malvern cemetery was one of the largest that has been seen in years. No clergyman officiated at the funeral but instead it had been Mr. Summer’s last request that Gen. John. Y. Stone give an address in place of the customary sermon. This request was complied with and, an eloquent and masterly funeral oration was delivered by the general over his old acquaintance and friend. And so another of the old landmarks has left us to join that rapidly increasing number of Mills county citizens who have gone on before.