The Penn's Grove record., 1907-03-08
John Summerill 18th
Born, June 20th, i845.
Died, March 5th, 1907.

C~ A>O<
John Summerill, of the we'll known
firm of John Summerill & Bro, Of South
Penn's Grove, died at 10 o'clock Tuesday
morning, a week after being stricken with
paralysis of the right side, and never re-
gaining consciousness. He has not been
enjoying the best of health for the past
ten years and for the past two. years he
has had more or less trouble with his
heart. The Monday before he was
stricken III the night lie was out in the
lumber yard much of the day in the cold,
which may have had something to do
with bringing on the fatal attack.
The funeral will take place on Satur-
day 9th, services at his late residence at
IL O'clock. Interment in Emmanuel
Cemetery.
John Summerill was the elder son OF
John Summerill Bird. and Emily Smith
Parker. John Summerill 3rd. as one of
the leading public men in the state from
1880 until his death, December Is, 1866.
He taught school and was Township
Clerk before 1880. He was appointed
Justice of the Peace in 1885 and 1914
and Lay Judge Of the County Court in
1874. lie was elected to the Assembly in
1880, 1888, 1889 aud to the Senate in 1S49.
Being a stauncl and noted Democrat
he was South jerseys choice Tor the nom
ination for Governor in 1851 when George
f. Fort was dominated and elected.
In 1929 he began keeping store at South
PENIS Grove, then known as Helms
Cove. The business grew until he be-
came the foremost merchant in the nor
thern part of Salem County as a dealer in
dry goods, groceries, lumber, wood and
grain.
John Summerill 3rd died just as his
son reached manhood and left him a rich
and notable heritage in business and pol
tics which the son has filled, in partner
ship with his brother Joseph G. Sum-
merrill, for forty years.
For twenty years they were large deal
ers in grain and fertilizers, until Salem
County ceased to raise grain for export.
They dealt largely in coal, dry goods and
groceries until a few years ago.
They continue to deal in lumber, hav-
ing the only lumber yard in PENIS Grove,
but their largest business in late years
has been i'll furnishing shad fishermen
from Florida to Canada with their famous
Golden Irish Irvine and netting.
John Summerill 18th. took an interest in
politics, being considered the leading
Democrat of Upper Penns Neck by the
County and STATE leaders. He never held
but one office, hat of Chosen Free
holder, in IS72-73. He served as dele.
gate to State conventions several times
and was a district delegate to the national
convention which renominated Grover
Cleveland in 1888.
In 1879 he was nominated for the As
sembly but declined in favor OF the late
Henry Barber. In 1890 he was urged to
accept the nomination for State Senator,
but declined on account of his health,
being subject to heart trouble.
John Summerill 4th married Mary P,
daughter of the late William H.. and
Fannie Denny, by whom he had one son,
John c., who died November 26, 1887,
aged II years. She died in 1884. His
second wife is Hannah j., daughter of
Captain Thomas and the late Emily Nay
Tor. She survives him. They had only
one son, Joseph O.; who lived only nine
months.
In the obituary of John Summerill 3rd,
published at his death, was said: "As a
business man he was honorable and just,
and won the esteem and friendship of his
fellow citizens. In all his dealings he
was nottight and eXacting, but OH the con-
trary was too Ienient for his own personal
advantage-it being a prominent. trait in
his character to extend to a large class in
the community long credit and pecuniary
assistance. He was also liberal to the
poor. Many a person has come to his
store who had a large account, which he
never expected to collect, and would
state their difficulties, restitution and
want-to such he would invariably ex-
tend further help"
The same was true of his son, John
Summerill 4th., in whose death many
Ioor mel have lost an old friend and ben
efactor. Being kind to the poor, in fact
to everybody, he was also liberal in sup
port of Emmanuel Church, although not
| a COMMUNICATE.