MOSES W. SUMMERS is a partner of the well known firm of Kelley & Summers owners of the celebrated Glencove herd of Poland-China swine, in Curran Township. Glencove Farm is prettily located on the prairie, two miles north of Curran and eight miles west of Springfield. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of tillage, well improved land, which is thoroughly tiled, hedged and fenced into convenient fields and is well watered by Spring Creek. He has here a large and commodious residence, substantial outbuildings and everything about the place is in good order.

Moses Summers, the father of our subject, was born in Onondaga County, N.Y., in 1818, and came of an old and prominent family of that State. He was a son of John Summers, a native of New York, who was a well-to-do and prominent farmer of Onondaga County, where his life was brought to a close at a ripe age. Moses Summers and one of his brothers came to Illinois in 1838 and located in Cass County near the town of Virginia, where he bought a farm and dealt to some extent in land. In 1858 he sold his possessions there and coming to Curran Township bought the place now occupied by our subject. He located here and engaged in farming for many years. His homestead originally comprised two hundred and forty acres, but he sold all but one hundred and sixty acres of his land. May 22, 1886, he closed his eyes in death in te pleasant home that he has built here. He was regarded as one of the most solid men of the township, and was prominent in educational matters as a School Director and in religious affairs as one of the foremost members of the Methodist church at New Salem, which he served as Class Leader. He was very active in securing the erection of the house of worship, and gave more than any other towards the expense of building. He was influential in the Sunday school and was Superintendent thereof. He was at one time a minister in the Methodist church, and he was twice married. His first wife was in her maidenhood Miss Ellenor Yaples.

The mother of our subject, whose name before her marriage was Mary R. Talbott, was born in Kentucky and was a daughter of David Talbott, who came here in 1835. For her parental history see sketch of William T. Talbott, of Gardner. The mother was reared in her Kentucky home and has been a resident of this county for fifty-five years. The following five children were born of her marriage: ruth, wife of Dr. Mathews, of Brownville, Neb.; Ella, Mrs. Hume, who died in Canada; Lottie, Mrs. E. B. Towl, of South Omaha, Neb.; E. Frances, at home with her mother; and our subject.

He of whom we write was born in Curran Township July 31, 1863, was reared on the home farm and obtained the basis of his education in the district schools, which he attended until he was seventeen years old. He then entered Lincoln University where he studied in a scientific course one year. He was then obliged to leave college and return home to take charge of the farm, as his father was an invalid, and for fifteen years it has been under his able management, he having full control of everything.

As we have noted our subject is extensively interested with his partner, Mr. Kelley, in raising full blooded Poland-China hogs, and they have what is considered the finest herd of that famous breed in the State. At the Sangamon County Fair they took the first premium on hogs, and Mr. Summers obtained the sweepstakes on yellow corn, besides getting the first premium for sweet corn. Mr. Summers is also interested in raising fancy poultry, bronze turkeys and in breeding Scotch collie or Shepherd dogs. He devotes much attention to the cattle and sheep business and is establishing a herd of Jerseys, his preference in sheep being for the celebrated Oxford Down breed.

October 25, 1888, our subject was married in Gardner Township to Miss Euna Baldwin, a native of this county. She is a daughter of William and Mary (Parkinson) Baldwin, formerly of this county but now of Arlington, Kan., where Mr. Baldwin is extensively engaged in farming. Mrs. Summers is a graduate of the High School at Springfield, is a woman of much culture, and is one of the leading members of society and of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Salem.

Mr. Summers is a well educated and intelligent young man and is popular with everyone. He is influential in public and political circles, and has been called upon to fill positions of trust and responsibility. He is at present Treasurer of the Board of Commissioners of Highways. In politics he is active in the interests of the Republican party and is a member of the Central Committee, representing Curran, and has taken part in the deliberations of his party as a delegate to State Conventions. He is a member of the Farmers Mutual Benefit Association at Curran. He was one of the jurymen during the six days trial of the celebrated Moshier murder case.