Prof. William T. Sumner

PROF. WILLIAM T. SUMNER, of Mt. Vernon, is now occupying the position of Superintendent of Schools of Jefferson County. He is a well known and able educator, and therefore is well fitted for his present ofliee. The record of his life is as follows:

He was born in Rockport, Ind., on the 7th of November, 1850. His grandfather, Jesse Sumner, was a native of North Carolina, but in an early day emigrated to the Hoosier State, where John Sumner, the father of our subject, was born February 22, 1828. In 1854 the latter came to Illinois, locating in Madison County, and in 1866 took up his residence in Jefferson County, where his death occurred twenty years later. He married Rebecca Masterson, who was born in Kentucky December 25, 1829, and died July 4, 1889.

In the Sumner family were five brothers, of whom William T. is the eldest. Jesse T., who followed farming, died in 1892. Daniel and Harmon G. both carry on agricultural pursuits in Jefferson County, and George died in 1875, when twenty years of age.

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the old homestead farm and in the district schools of the neighborhood acquired his early education, which was afterward supplemented by a course in Ewing College. He entered that institution at the age of twenty years, and there pursued his studies for three years. When his education was completed, he embarked in teaching, which profession he successfully followed until 1885. The following year he was elected County Superintendent of Schools for four years, and so ably did he fill the ollice that on the expiration of his first term, in 1890, he was re-elected for another four years.

Professor Sumner was married in 1882, the lady of his choice being Miss Mamie Young, daughter of Robert S. Young, a prosperous farmer of Jefferson County. They are both cultivated and agreeable people, and in the community where they live have many warm friends. They also hold a high position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are taken as the passports into good society.

Mr. Sumner has most acceptably filled the office of County Superintendent, satisfaction being almost universally expressed in regard to his management of affairs.

"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Published by Chapman Publishing Company of Chicago in 1894
Page 430-431
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer