Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-09-14
DIED.

DIED,
Ate and proiraeiencss, "Wednesday the 18Th
sant 10 minutes before O'Clock I. NJ JOHN VAN LEW
IN the S'hyear OF Ills age The friends and acquainanees OF the
family respectfully invited attend his funeral from
residence, this evening >. O'Clock without farther notice.
On Sunday the 9th ult at o'clock in the morning,
the White Sulphur Springs, Va. the Hon. LEWIS SUM.
MERS for more that 81 past OF the Judges OF the
General Court OF Virginia.
To attempt tho culogy OF such would be much
out OF place. us is unnecessary His death is felt by every
to be loss, and roparabe-to the State with
the most important and vital interests of which he has
Tor ~ years o public service idenhed-to is Judicial
Circuit over which for nearly quarter OF century he has
presided with distinguished abity-and to the community
OF sorowing neighbos and friends with which he
especially cOnnccted-as well 10 that attached circle OF
relatives, who bereaved of one who them the
most uiieconate and consideIatc OF Fathers
Judge Summers was born the 9Th OF November, l77S,
in Fniriax county, Na being the eldest OF George aud
Ann 5. Summers. His father several times u member
OF the Legislature Va, Delegate from Fairfax county
His mother, from whom he unques,iOnably derived many
OF the strong points OF hs character only proceeded him
the grave about five weeks.
Judge Summers entered upon the duties of active life u
ring the Presidency OF the elder Adoms With the aror
which distinguished the Virginia youth of that period he
threw himself into the republican paanx and did what
nm lay to achieve the civic victory that bore Mr. Jefferson
into the Presidential Chair To the political principles upon
embraced he afterwards adhered throughout his long
and varied life with undertaking ruuess and consiancy.
In leOS he removed the West, settling for short time
in Galpos Ohio during which period he for several
years member OF the Senate in the Legislature of that
State.
In 1914 he took up his residence in Kanuwha county,
where he has continued since reside In lsl7-lS
he served in the Legislature of Virginia. and February
1919, he was chosen of the Judges OF the General
Court andthc Judge OF the kanawha Judicial Circuit then
but recently created. For time he member OF
the Board of Public Works OF Virginia. and in 1929 was
elected to the Convention called TO revise the Constitution
OF Virginia.
In all these relations his strong, original and yigo
rous mind has been indeby impressed upon the times and
the events with which he connected.
As Judge he has been, nearly twenty five years
most able, faithful and aborous. One If u thousand ev
dences OF his worth and value this arduous and response
be office found in the fact that the district eN
pec mat ms place can be fully and adequately supplied.
As statesman, his and his efforts have ceased
TO be given To the promotion OF the best coun
try. Most OF all that Virginia has accomplish in the great
work OF Internal Improvement may be ascrbed the un
firing perseverance and 10 the signal ability with which Judge
Summers has continued, all times, and under every dis
couagemen 10 press this vital interest OF the
wealth the OF the Legislature and people
And wherein any failure has occurred in the beneficial
sequences of the policy recommended by him. that failure
clearly be traced to the default of those who neglected
refused carry out his designs their completion
In that most remarkable assembage of the age the
Convention for the amendment of the Constitution of Va
which sat in ls29-'3O, the sterling vigorous and prac
cal character of Judge Summers mind made him. before
the close OF Its deliberations OF useful if not one of
the most conspicuous members OF that illustrious body As
Tic able champion of the principles of elective govern
meni he IN that assembly, performed services and acquired
reputation which will his memory be cher.
shcd with warm and respectful affection by the people of
Western Virginia.
But distinguished the subject of this notice for
his public WORTH and for the substantial services which he
has conferred upon his country private life that we
behold the real WORTH the highest excellence OF his char
acier Never was there devoted afiectonate and
considerate relative His ia pcty was especially rcmar
kabe. Oh, it was beautiful that old man. venerable
IN age and usirous in public service the leader Scnatcs
and the official expounder of the laws of his country tend
ing, with the aecionate and tenderness and soic.
tude OF childhood upon the aged mother, who until few
weeks ago. still lived receive aud expect services
: "A in ohe
social relation, he equally exemplary aeconatc and
constant.
JUDGE SUMMERS was early imbued with pous feelings
and with religious instruction by parental care and bv the
pastoral nature of the Rector of Christ Church. Alexandria
by whom all the children Of tie Parish were regularly cat
echised in the Church and the Judge has often described
to the writer OF this notice. his vivid recollection OF the les
sons which he then and there received Although the pecu
liar evil vi the times which succeeded undoubtedly cxcrc
sed huttlu Influence upon him upon most Of his con-
emporaes, yet the impressions of that carly age hc has
himself declared ciaccd and for many wears
past they have been fc all their original dstnctness and
force, and have been deepening aud until
We eryenty trust sincere and humble pety had become
the fixed habit Of his soul; and several weeks since his
and dearest friend expressed the conviction that
upon the first suitable opportunity JUDGE SUMMERS would
seek TO be admitted into yet closer and perfect union
with the body Of Christ his Savior the Church of God
which he purchased with his own blood
The remains of Judge Summers arrived at this place
from the White Sulphur, early Tuesday morning and
the first notice which OF citizens received of the
severe loss which they and the country had sustained
from the olng Of the various Church bells of the village
The shock the greater nasmuch previous accounts
had indicated rnpd Improvement Of the Judges health
On Wednesday afternoon very large number Of the cit
OF the county assembled Walnut Grove the late re-
sidercc of Judge Summers, witness the deposit of his
remains in the family bura ground And as the body was
LEI down into It's dark resting place by the still fresh grave
OF his MOTHER II seemed 10 the sonowing company that
the 6ll-conaie Son about that tender gunr.
danshp Of tho aged Parent which death had but for few
short weeks interrupted.-KGndDha Rep.