Hon. Laurel Summers was born October 2, 1812, and his birth place was in Montgomery County, Kentucky. He was a son of Enoch and Elsie (Hadden) Summers, who were also natives of that State. In 1830 young Laurel decided to learn a trade and went to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he became a brick-maker's apprentice. Having mastered the trade he secured work as a journeyman and saved his hard earnings until having accumulated a small amount of money he decided to come farther west. In 1837 he settled in the Territory of Iowa in what is now Scott County, entered a tract of Government land and embarked in farming. In connection with his agricultural interests he and his brother dealt to some extent in live stock, driving the stock overland from Indiana. In 1838 he was selected by his friends as a candidate for the lower branch of the Territorial Legislature, and was unanimously elected. His career during the term made him many friends and ardent supporters, and he was subsequently elected to succeed himself the two succeeding terms. In 1844 he was elected to the Legislative Council and served two years, and in 1850 he was elected to the State Legislature. In 1853 he was appointed United States marshal of the District of Iowa under President Pierce. He served through President Pierce's administration and was reappointed under James Buchanan and served four more years. During his term in the Legislative Council it was his vote that located the capital at Iowa City, for which he deserved great credit at the time, owing to its central location. Prior to the war and during his political career there were few men in the State of Iowa who wielded the influence that Mr. Summers did. He was noted for his honesty and integrity and thought all men were like himself until he found them otherwise.
In May, 1841, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of Sterling and Ann Parkhurst, who were pioneer settlers of Scott County.
Mr. Summers after retiring from participation in the conduct of State affairs served his home city four terms as mayor, and was also deputy sheriff under Harvey Leonard three years. In 1874 he was elected one of the trustees of the lowa Agricultural College at Ames and served in that capacity for four years. Fifteen years prior to his death his health began failing, caused no doubt by overexertion mentally, and he gradually went down until April 15, 1890, when he passed away, leaving a family and a large number of friends in all parts of the State to mourn his loss.
BIOGRAPHIES