J.D. SUMMERS

From "Past and Present of Eaton county" - 1906

JOSEPH D. SUMMERS is distinctively one of the representative business men and influential citizens of Grand Ledge, of which city he is now serving his second term as mayor. The estimation placed upon him by his fellow citizens is clearly shown in the preferments which have come to him as a public official, and Grand Ledge has not a more loyal and progressive citizen than is he.

Mr. Summers is native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Ashland county, Ohio, July 4, 1844, and being a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Stine) Summers, who were numbered among the pioneers of Eaton township, this county, whither they came from Ohio in 1853, and here they passed the remainder of their lives. The present mayor of Grand Ledge was about nine years of age at the time of the family removal to Eaton county, and he was reared on the home farm, securing his educational training in the common schools of the place and period. For a number of years he continued identified with agricultural pursuits, and for a decade he was engaged in business in the city of Charlotte, then removing to Grand Ledge, which beautiful little city has since been his home.

He took up his residence here in 1873, and thereafter operated a saw mill and conducted a general lumber business until 1891, when he became one of the interested principals in the Grand Ledge Sewer Pipe Company, with which he was identified until 1900, when he again engaged in the lumber business, becoming a member of the firm of Hall & Summers, and they now control a most flourishing enterprise, handling lumber, lime, cement, sash, doors, blinds and general building materials. Mr. Summers is also president of the Grand Ledge Gas Company and has other local capitalistic interests. He has ever given an unequivocal allegiance to the Republican party and has been an active worker in its ranks.

Mr. Summers enlisted in February, 1864, in the Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served until the close of the war, and he was mustered out of the service at Jackson, Michigan, in July, 1865. He was with General Sherman on his march to the sea, and was in several engagements but came through without injury. He was president of the village of Grand Ledge before its incorporation as a city, and is now serving his second term as mayor, his administration being progressive, discriminating and businesslike, so that all interests of the municipality are well safeguarded. He is also' a member of the board of supervisors of the county. He is the owner of one of the beautiful homes of the city, his fine modern residence being located in East Jefferson street.

Mr. Summers has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Delaney, died in 1885, leaving no children. He later married Miss Augusta Chadwick, who was born and reared in Grand Ledge, Michigan, and they have two children, Walter and Florence.