Mineral County
Alexander Summerfield
Biography
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Nevada Genealogy Trails Mineral County Alexander Summerfield Biography |
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ALEXANDER SUMMERFIELD is the pioneer merchant of Hawthorne, having built the first store building in the town and stocked it with a good line of general merchandise in May, 1881. He is a Nevada pioneer of 1862, and six years before that he became a resident of California, so that his identification with the west covers almost a half century. Born in Poland in 1842. he was but fourteen years of age when he arrived in the Golden state, where he began earning his own living as a clerk in a store in the old town of Shasta, in Shasta county, California. He arrived there in October, 1856, and in 1858 removed to San Francisco, where he conducted several stores, meeting with fair success. He continued in business there until 1862, when he came to Nevada and engaged in mining. In this venture he also prospered. For twenty-three years he has been engaged in business in Hawthorne, during which time he has always paid one hundred cents on the dollar. He has made for himself in mercantile circles a reputation that is indeed enviable, never incurring an obligation that he has not met, nor making an engagement that he has not filled. He therefore has the good will of the people among whom he has been doing business for about a quarter of a century, and receives from them a liberal patronage. Hawthorne and its development have ever been subjects of deep interest to him, and every object for the welfare of the city has elicited his attention and aid. He has been a member of the school board and was postmaster for nine years. His political support is given the men and measures of the Republican party. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the grand lodges of the first two organizations, and has received a gold badge in recognition of twenty-five years' membership in the second. He is also connected with the Degree of Honor, as are his wife and daughter. The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Summerfield was in her maidenhood Miss Esther Bloomfield, and they were married in June. 1876. She is a native of New York, but was reared in Nevada, her father being Elias Bloomfield, one of the brave pioneer settlers of this state. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Summerfield: Soli, who was married and resides in Reno, Nevada, was elected a member of the state legislature, at the age of twenty-three, representing Esmeralda county; this young man has a bright future before him and will bring honor to himself and parents. The other children are Abe; Rose, now the wife of J. H. White, a resident of Hawthorne; Hattie, Myrtle and Frances, all at home with their parents. The family residence is one of the finest in Hawthorne, the attractive house being surrounded by fine grounds, and there is an excellent garden and an orchard in the rear. All of the trees have been planted by Mr. Summerfield. He and his wife are worthy pioneer people, and now have a most comfortable place in which to spend the evening of life amid peace and plenty.
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