Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 248

Oscar Summers, of the firm of O. & C. Summers, grocers at Fulton, was born in Sterling, Ill., June 5, 1842, and is the son of Ephraim and Mary L. (Dickson) Summers. He came to Fulton with his parents in 1846, and was educated in the city schools of this place.

He enlisted Oct. 8, 1861, as a private of Co. F, 52d Regt. Ill. Vol. Inf., was promoted Corporal, Sergeant and finally commissioned Captain. He re-enlisted as a veteran Jan. 1, 1864, and served till the close of the war, being in the 15th and 16th Army Corps and participating in all battles and engagements in which his regiment was represented. He took part in the battles of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battle of Corinth, Atlanta campaign, Sherman’s march to the sea, battle of Bentonville and other minor engagements.

In 1869 he formed a partnership, in the grocery business, with Mr. John L. Knight, at Fulton, which connection continued till the spring of 1871, when his brother Cloys bought out Mr. Knight and the present firm was established. The Summers Bros. carry a well assorted stock of general groceries, provisions and crockery, of an average value of $2,000.

Mr. Summers was married at Des Moines, Iowa, April 2, 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Exley, daughter of Thomas and B.M. Exley. Mrs. Summers was born in Clyde Township, this county. They have two children (daughters), Ruby E. and Margery A.