SUMERLIN, Rufus: Died 1911

SUMERLIN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/6/2016 at 01:52:17

FORMER KEOSAUQUAN DEAD
Rufus Sumerlin, Old Time Editor Passes Away

A few days since we received a copy of the Mattoon (Ill.,) Daily Commercial, published by Adolph Sumerlin, Rufus Sumerlin, who died at the National Soldiers Home at Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, where he had been living several years.

Our oldest readers will perhaps recollect Rufus Sumerlin as being a resident of Keosauqua in an early day. He was born in North Carolina in 1827, and came with his parents to this county in 1836. In 1846 he entered the office of the Iowa Democrat, published at this place by Co. James Shepherd, and learned the printing trade. In 1847 he enlisted in the Mexican war and served to the close, seeing much hard service. Of his company of 116 men only 35 lived to return to their homes. In 1853, Mr. Sumerlin and Seth Millington purchased the Iowa Democrat, and Sumerlin remained with the paper three years. In 1859 he established the Jeffersonian Democrat at Memphis, Mo.

In 1864 he purchased the Shelbyvill (Ill.) Leader, and later had a half interest in the Springfield (Mo.) Leader and in 1872 founded the Mattoon, (Ill.) Commercial, and later published the Toledo (Ill.) Democrat and was appointed postmaster at Toledo under Cleveland's administration.

Several years ago Mr. Sumerlin attended an old settlesr's(sp) reunion at Keosauqua. He was a man of force and energy as well as ability as a writer. He was buried in the National cemetery at Washington.

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Thurs. 9 March 1911

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 224, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA