Joseph Summer (1823 - 1892)

Born 11 Oct 1823 in Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Died 21 Aug 1892 at age 68 in Elkhart, Indiana

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Carla Muskopf [send private message]

Biography

Born 11 OCT 1823. Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania. ^[1]

Died 21 AUG 1892. Elkhart, Indiana. ^[1]

Note: JOSEPH SUMMERS, son of Jacob and Leah Summers, was born on the 11th of October 1823, in Lancaster Co., Pa. He began to teach school in his 17th year. He attended the Strasburg Academy for two years and then resumed his work as teacher in which vocation he achieved much success. On the 8th of December 1846 he was united in matrimony to Barbara Souders by Bish. Christian Herr. On the 15th of March, 1847 he moved to Holmes Co., Ohio, settling on a farm near Millersburg. He lived there 17 years dividing his time between farming and teaching. He also made two trips to California. In the spring of 1850 he and twelve other men from Zanesville, Ohio, organized the Zanesville Mining Co., and on the 28th of March he left home with teams and wagons, going by way of Cincinnati, St. Louis, Salt Lake City and San Francisco. He arrived at Dry Town, Cal., Oct. 23. A great part of this journey was performed on foot and through a country inhabited by the Indian and the buffalo. His anecdotes of this journey and the valuable lessons he drew from his observations, afforded many an hour's profitable entertainment.

On the 12th of December he started homeward, going by way of Sacramento and San Francisco. He took passage on the steamer Chesapeak on the 30th of January 1851. On account of contrary winds he was on the sea eleven days. At Trinidad and Salmon he remained several months. On the 22d of October he left Trinidad for Panama, thence to San Juan, New Orleans and Havana, Cuba. After enduring many privations and hardships he reached home in December 1851.

In the spring of 1853 he left home on his second trip to California, remaining there six years. After his return he lived one year in Ohio and then moved to LaGrange Co., Ind., where he lived one year, moving to Elkhart Co., five miles south of Elkhart. In the fall of 1870 he moved to Elkhart, entering the employ of the Mennonite Publishing Co., (then J. F. Funk & Bro.), on the 19th of September, remaining in the employ of the same until his death, serving as proof reader and editor of the "Words of Cheer." His exactness and carefulness in details eminently fitted him for the work in which he was so long engaged.

Two years ago he was afflicted with lagrippe, from the effects of which he never entirely recovered, being continually harassed with a cough, and gradually his almost iron constitution gave way, rheumatism also setting in at times. His clock-like regularity at his post continued however, and his genial "good morning" to the employees as he passed them on his way through the building, up to his desk, as well as his sociable qualities endeared him to all. About New Years the employees combined and presented him with a fine office chair as a token of their esteem for "Uncle Joseph," as he was called. That he was deeply susceptible of such kindly recognition was shown by his emotion as he expressed his thanks and good wishes to the doners.

On the morning of the 11th of August he was stricken with palsy, rendering his left side helpless and insensible to pain or feeling. From the very first the physicians entertained but little hope of his recovery, although after the first few days he seemed to rally so that there were hopes that he might at least be spared for some time. But there seemed to be a constant pain at the back of his head, apparently caused by clogging of the blood, and besides he experienced some difficulty in breathing, as he had not enough strength left to rid himself of the phlegm that kept gathering on his lungs. When not delirious his mind was upon spiritual things, and when his mind wandered he spoke mostly of his work at the office, especially that in connection with the "Words of Cheer." A few days before his death he desired his Sunday school class to come to him, which request was gladly. complied with. It was an affecting scene as he took by the hand one after another of the boys whom he had so faithfully taught and gave them kind advice and admonished them to live and labor for God that their lives might be useful and their labors a lasting benefit to themselves and others. He also sent a message to all the readers of the "Words of Cheer," for whose welfare he seemed at all times to be deeply interested. He desired every one that came to see him, to come up to his bedside, shake hands and speak to him. He expressed an implicit confidence in God and his only hope and trust was in Jesus Christ as his Savior. Bro. J. F. Funk was sent for just as he was closing the services at the church on Sunday August 21st; when he came to him and he asked him if he should pray with him, he answered in the affirmative, and when the prayer was concluded he. responded with a hearty "Amen." About an hour later he calmly fell asleep. He was a faithful and devoted Christian and a member of the church in Elkhart ever since its first organization. He also was a zealous worker in the Sunday school, and a faithful helper in every work to promote the cause of Christ and his church.

He was buried on the 24th at the Olive meeting-house. Services were held by J. S. Coffman and J. F. Funk at the meeting-house in Elkhart, and by J. F. Funk at the Olive meeting-house from the text Rev: 14:13, selected by himself. He leaves a sorrowing companion and nine brothers and sisters to mourn his departure. Peace to his ashes.

Marriage 8 DEC 1846. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Source: S20
2. ↑ Source: S20

• Source: S20 Note: obituary