Mrs. G.E. Sullenger, who came to Hamilton as a bride over 50 years ago, died yesterday morning at the Daly hospital after many weeks of illness. She was one of the community's best known women and her early life activities included school teaching in Iowa. She was born at Tuscumba Ala., September 11, 1859, and was in her 79th year when death claimed her.
    Relatives are the husband and an adopted daughter, Mrs. Earl Gray of Missoula, and the grandchildren, William Gray of Hamilton and Mary Elwood Gray of Missoula. Mrs. Sullenger's life ws closely identified with the Christian church and she was known for her unselfish nature and a desire to help others.
    The body is at the Wright Funeral Home, where services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. L.O. White of the Missoula Christian Church Interment will be at Corvallis,
Ravalli Republican, Thursday, June 23, 1938

    Helen V. Summers, 92, of Hamilton, died Sunday at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. She was born March 18, 1899 in Faulk County, SD, the daughter of Edward and Anna Gardner.
    She was formerly a school teacher in Wyoming and South Dakota.  On December 23, 1927, she married Charles A. Summers in Redfield, SD. The couple moved to Mineral County in 1929, to Washington state in 1943 and then to Hamilton in 1948.
    Survivors include six nieces and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters and a brother. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton with Rev. David Donkle officiating.
    The Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Abstract from the Ravalli Republic, November 12, 1991

CORVALLIS MATRON PASSES AT DALY HOSPITAL; WAS 89 YEARS OF AGE
    Death claimed Mrs. Mary Frances Summers, 89, at Daly hospital yesterday at 2:50 pm. She entered the hospital with a broken hip June 14, when she fell at her Corvallis home.
    Mary F. Chaffin was born at Rogersville, near Sprinfield, Missouri, May 28, 1864 and came to the Bitter Root with her husband and baby daughter in 1886. She was married to Lafayette (Fate) Summers near Rogersville, October 21, 1883. The entire wedding party was on horseback. Mr. Summers passed away in October 1931 and his wife will be laid to rest next to his grave in the family plot. Her parents were Joseph and Eliza Chaffin, her father coming to the valley in the 70's. He died while here and is buried in the family plot.
    Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Corvallis Community church with Rev. Jesse Dove officiating. The pallbearers will be George and William Brown, Ernest Matthews, Robert Bay, Virgin Chaffin, and Gene Sperry.
Abstract from: The Western News, August 27, 1953

JOHN A. SUMMERS DIES IN CALIFORNIA
PIONEER CROSSES DIVIDE AFTER LINGERING ILLNESS OF CANCER - FUNERAL WEDNESDAY.
    The funeral of the late John A. Summers will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, under the auspices of the Masonic lodge of Hamilton. The body will arrive this evening and a Masonic service will be held in Masonic hall, at 11:30 o'clock. Interment will be made in Corvallis cemetery. The funeral announcement was give out by Sheriff Chaffin, upon receipt of telegraphic advices from his sister, Mrs. Summers. Mr. Summers died Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Santa Monica, California. Cancer, from which he had suffered for four years, was the cause of death.
    John A. Summers was a well-known pioneer of the Bitter Root Valley and Missoula. He was born at Galloway, Green county, Missouri, 65 years ago. He landed in Missoula in 1871 and established a blacksmith shop. In 1877, he went to Corvallis where he married Judith Chaffin and made his home for many years. He conducted a blacksmith shop there for years and developed a ranch adjoining the townsite. Disposing of his holdings, he purchased the large ranch near Hamilton that was afterwards platted by Winstanley & Reeser. After disposing of this property, Mr. Summers purchased the old Stanley ranch near Corvallis, built a fine home and resided there for several years.
    About 1908, Mr. and Mrs. Summers moved to Missoula, purchasing the home on University Avenue, which is now home of Mr. and Mrs. D.J. Haviland. Mr. Summers' health failed four years ago and he went to live in southern California, hoping to find benefit in the milder climate. He is survived by his wife, by four daughters, Misses Inez, Margaret, Jeanette, and Louise Summers; by three sons, Fred, Herbert, and Leland; by his mother, Mrs. Mary O. Summers, now living at Hamilton; by four sisters, Mrs. Alex Mitchell of Alder grove, B.C., Mrs. T.M. Doran and Mrs. John Parsley of Hamilton, and Mrs. Tobias Galbraith of Galloway, Missouri; and by one brother, Joseph L. Summers of Corvallis. There is also a large family connection through the Bitter Root Valley and in Missoula.
The Western News, January 19, 1915

J.L. SUMMERS PASSES
    J.L. Summers, a well known pioneer, died at his home in Corvallis last Sunday. The family were all at home that day except Mrs. Bay, a daughter, and had enjoyed the occasion as Mr. Summers had seemed in such good spirits. He had finished his dinner and had been looking at a paper, falling asleep, he collapsed in his chair. He had been under the doctor's care for several years.
    Joseph Lafayette Summers was born in Date county, Missouri, January 25, 1858. He came to Montana in the spring of 1881 and returned to Missouri in the fall of 1883 to wed Mary Chaffin on October 21, 1883. they would have celebrated their 48th anniversary October 21. They returned to Montana in 1887. To them were born two children, Mrs. Frank Price of Corvallis, and Mrs. Hans Bay of Long Beach, California. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Frank Price, Mrs. Hans Bay and Russell Bay and one great grandchild. Also three sisters, Mrs. T.M. Doran of Hamilton, Mrs. Ella Galbraith of Springfield and Mrs. Alex Mitchell of Denver, Colorado. Mr. Summers had one brother, John A. Summers, who passed away several years ago. Services were held at the United Church by Rev. James F. Swallow. Interment was made in the Corvallis Cemetery. The pall bearers were Rev. C.J. Tabor, Rev. R.L. Meyers, and Rev. S.J. Powell, B.J. Smith, James D. St. John, and Matt Vaughn.
The Western News, October 15, 1931, page 3

JUDITH SUMMERS, NONAGENARIAN, PIONEER OF THE BITTER ROOT, DIES
    Death came shortly after noon, Wednesday, October 27 at Daly hospital to Mrs. Judith Summers who had been a patient, in grave condition, for several weeks following a stroke which she sustained at Lewistown, Montana, while visiting with her son. The passing from this world of Judith Summers takes from our midst one of the few true pioneers of the early settlement days of the Bitter Root valley.
    Mrs. Summers was one of the 11 children of the late pioneer settlers, Elijah and Margaret Chaffin, who crossed the plains via covered wagon, coming to Corvallis first in 1864. Judith was born at Ft. Scott, Kansas, March 28, 1861. The Chaffins continued from the Bitter Root to Oregon, but, preferring the Bitter Root, returned here in 1865.
    Judith Chaffin was married to John Summers January 6, 1878 at Corvallis when Rev. W. Hall, a double wedding also united in marriage her sister, Miss Nancy Chaffin to Gilbert Simmons. The Summers resided in the Corvallis district for many years, later resided in Missoula for four years while their children attended the university, and then moved to Santa Monica, California where Mr. Summers died January 15, 1915.
    Mrs. Summers moved to Portland, Oregon in 1920 and since then, until recently, Portland was her home. Recently, she has been living with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Johnson in Hamilton.
    During her span of life, Mrs. Summers witnessed the vast change which has taken place in the Bitter Root valley, a change which included the Indian days of the Salish residence here, the passage through the valley of the Nez Perce under Chief Joseph, the influx of settlers following the removal of the Salish from this valley, the "Big Ditch boom days," and the growth of the economy of the valley. In all of these events, she took her part, lived an exemplary life and gained the respect of all who knew her as a kindly, capable housewife and mother.
    Funeral services will be conducted at Dowling chapel at two o'clock Saturday with Rev. Harry Soloos officiating. Burial will be made in the family plot in Corvallis cemetery. The pallbearers will be six nephews; Lee, Homer and Mason Simmons, Gilbert, Glenn, and Dean Chaffin.
    Those who survive Mrs. Summers are the following children: Mrs. Harry Johnson of Hamilton; Laland F. Summers, Lewistown, Montana; Mrs. John Ashby, Vancouver, Washington; Mrs. Louise Perrior, Santa Monica, California. They will all be here for the last rites. Grand children are Bob Summers, Seattle; Mrs. Barbara Bernatz, Racine, Wisconsin; John Ashby in the army at Fort Ord, California. There are three great grandchildren: Benny and Juda Brooke Bernatz of Racine and Roger Ashby of Fort Ord.
    Three of Mrs. Summers' children preceded her in death. They were Herbert L. Summers who died in May 1950; Margaret Elliott who passed away in September 1953; and Fred Summers who died last December. Of her ten brothers and sisters, Mrs. Summers is survived by her brother, Moses Chaffin of Corvallis.
    Mrs. Summers was a member of the Presbyterian church, Portland, Oregon, and was a charter member of the Leona chapter, OES, Hamilton.
The Western News, October 28, 1954

“Lefty” Summers Native Of Valley Died In Oregon Rites Thursday
    Funeral services are to be conducted at the Dowling chapel Thursday at 2 p.m. in tribute of Leland F. Summers, native of Grantsdale district, and son of pioneer residents of the Bitter Root, Mr. and Mrs. John (Juda) Summers. Mr. Summers passed away Monday, October 18 at Woodburn, Oregon following a year of deteriorating health Death was attributed to cancer. The funeral services will be conducted by Rev Robert Sherwood and will be followed with ritual of Corvallis Lodge No 39 AF&AM in Corvallis cemetery where he will be laid to rest at the family plot beside his first wife. Pallbearers will be Claud Osburn, Jamie Osburn, Ernie Osburn, Alfred Simmons, Benson Bernatz, Albert Nickel, C.E. Syverson, Robert Ufford.
    Leland Summers was reared in the Grantsdale and Corvallis localities where he attended school before moving with his parents to Santa Monica, Calif where he completed his schooling. He then entered the Us Army during world War One. Following his discharge after termination of hostilities, he returned to the Bitter Root and was wed in 1920 to Veva Benson. The couple made their home in Darby where for years he was associated with the operation of the Darby Mercantile, for years operated by the late Herbert “Hub” Summers. Mrs. Veva (Benson) Summers passed away in 1920.
    During these years, Leland took an active interest in the athletics and particularly baseball, playing on several valley teams. He was a splendid athlete and was one of the better baseball players ever developed in the Bitter Root, which in the day of his youth was very baseball conscious, producing a number of amateur and semiprofessional teams of high calibre. Because he was a “southpaw” Leland earned the sobriquet of “Lefty” which stuck with him throughout his entire life.
    Summers became an employee of the Montana State Employment Service in working here and moving to Lewistown, Mont. in 1950 where he was office manager until he retired in 1964. Meantime, in March 1946, he was married to Florence Hay Million, a member of the Hay family of Corvallis. After his retirement, the couple moved to Woodburn, Oregon where they resided until his death. “Lefty” Summers possessed an engaging personality, owned a wealth of friends where he resided, and despite the fact that he has not lived in the valley for years still owns many friends here who join his widow and family in mourning his departure.
    He is survived by the widow, Florence; by a son, Bob of Portland and a daughter, Mrs. Fred (Barbara) Bernatz of Hamilton; by his sister, Mrs. Harry (Jeannette) Johnson, Hamilton; six grandchildren, Benson Bernatz, Brooke Bernatz, Steve Summers, Bob Summers, Bradley Summers, and Gigi Summers. Also surviving are three step grandchildren, Bob Million, Vancouver, Wash; Mrs. Dan (Martha) Taylor and Mrs. Bob (Florence) Ufford, both of Seattle.
    Family members from beyond the Bitter Root horizon who will be here for the funeral include Mrs. Summers, and her daughters, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Ufford, with their husbands; the son Bob Summers, a nephew, John Ashby, and his wife of Tacoma; a brother of Mrs. Summers, William (Buz) Hay and wife, Woodburn, Oregon.
The Western News, October 21, 1971

"CHARLIE" J. SWANSON, 96, DIES SUNDAY IN STEVI
     Death claimed prominent Corvallis area orchardist and rancher "Charlie" J. Swanson, 96, Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at North Valley Nursing Home in Stevensville, following several years of deteriorating health. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Dowling Funeral Home. Rev. Carl Rohr will officiate and interment will be in the family plot in Corvallis cemetery. Pallbearers will be the grandsons of Mr. Swanson. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Gerloff, Oscar Berggren, Chester Nelson, Ed Grimes, Ralph Holmlund, and Jimmy James.
    Carl John Swanson was born August 7, 1880 in Sandsjo, Johkoping, Sweden and came to American in the fall of 1903. He first settled in Rockford, Illinois, then moved to Oregon, Illinois where he worked in a piano factory. At the latter place, he met and married Emma Christina (Johansdotter) Lynde on March 9, 1907.
    Mrs. Swanson died September 16, 1971. Survivors include daughter, Mrs. Morris (Helen) Strange, Stevensville; Mrs. Clarence (Mabel) Popham, Corvallis; son, Carl John Swanson, Corvallis; brother, Robert and sister, Hannah in Sweden; nephew, Evar Swanson, Turlock, California; grandchildren Mrs. Wayne L (Georgiann Strange) Dayton, and Bill Strange of Stevensville; Mrs. C.A. (Joanne Popham) Just, Oakes, N.D.; Robert E.L. Popham, Stevensville; Donald Popham, Missoula; Mrs. Dale (Diane Popham) Huhtanen, Rapelje, Montana; James and Charlie Swanson of Corvallis; 16 great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter.
    The Swansons were preceded in death by a daughter, Annette. Memorials may be made to the Faith Lutheran church in care of Mrs. Robert (Rachel) Gerloff.
Abstract from: The Western News, May 10, 1977


MRS. C.J. SWANSON DIED, RESIDENT OF CORVALLIS AREA FOR 51 YEARS.
       Mrs. Swanson had been in ill health for several months before she expired at Valley View Estates nursing home, being hospitalized much of the time. A large number of family members and numerous friends congregated at the Dowling chapel in Hamilton, Monday afternoon, to attend the funeral services conducted by Pastor Carl Rohr. Thereafter, the funeral cortege traveled to Corvallis cemetery where interment was made. Pall bearers were grandsons: Charles Swanson, James Swanson, Robert Popham, Don Popham, Bill Strange, and Wayne Dayton. Pfc. Charles Swanson flew to the Bitter Root from his post of duty at Ft. Gordon, Georgia, to attend his grandmother's last rites. The honorary pallbearers were Robert Gerloff, Pete Swanson, Oscar Bergren, Ivan Gustafson, Ralph Holmlund, and Chester Nelson.
    Emma Christina (Jonasdotter) Lynde was born at Vaxjo, Sweden, January 4, 1885, and as a girl of sixteen years of age, came to the United States to reside with her uncle and aunt at DeKalb, Illinois. There she met Charles Swanson and they were married at Oregon, Illinois, March 9, 1907.  
    Survivors of Mrs. Swanson are her husband, Charles John Swanson, and son Carl; daughters, Mrs. Morris (Helen) Strange and Mrs. Clarence (Mable) Popham. Another daughter, Annette, preceded the mother in death. A brother, Gunnar, survives in Sweden. Grandchildren surviving are: Mrs. Wayne L. (Georgiann Strange) Dayton, and Bill Strange of Stevensville; Robert Popham, Corvallis and Stevensville; Don Popham, Missoula; Mrs. Dale (Dianne) Huhtanen, Rosebud, Montana; Mrs. C.A. (Joanne) Just, Oakes, N.D.; James Swanson, Corvallis; Charles Swanson, in the army. There are fourteen great grandchildren.
Abstract from: The Western News, September 22, 1971