Wormely (1884), now in the State library; a photograph (1873), the last likeness ever taken, engraved in the state memorial volume; Thomas Crawford's bust (1874) in the Boston art museum; Martin Milmore's bust (1874) in the state-house, a copy of which is in the Metropolitan art museum, New York; a bronze statue by Thomas Ball (1878) in the Public garden, Boston; and a statuette in plaster by Miss Whitney (1877), an admirable likeness. The illustration on page 747 represents Mr. Sumner's tomb in Mt. Auburn cemetery, near Boston. — His brother, George, political economist, b. in Boston, Mass., 5 Feb., 1817: d. there, 6 Oct., 1863, studied at the universities of Heidelberg and Berlin, and travelled through Europe, Asia, and Africa, devoting himself to the study of the customs and institutions of various countries, and especially to comparative jurisprudence, international law, economic subjects, and philanthropic organizations. After his return to the United States he associated himself with Dr. Samuel G. Howe in the effort to establish schools for idiots. He lectured extensively on philanthropic subjects, and contributed to the “North American” and the “Democratic” reviews and to French and German periodicals. Alexander von Humboldt praised the accuracy of his research, and Alexis de Tocqueville spoke of him as knowing European politics better than any European with whom he was acquainted. His essay on the education of the feeble-minded was translated into French and Italian. He delivered an address at Cambridge in 1845 entitled “emoirs of the Pilgrims at Leyden,” which was published in the “Collections” of the Massachusetts historical society. His advocacy of the system of solitary confinement in prisons led to its adoption in French penitentiaries, which furnished the subject for a pamphlet entitled “The Pennsylvania System of Prison Discipline Triumphant in France” (Philadelphia, 1847) and an “Address on the Progress of Reform in France.” An oration before the authorities of Boston was also published (Boston, 1859), and in the American edition of Alphonse M. L. de Lamartine's “History of the Girondists” he printed a reply to the author's strictures on American institutions.
SUMNER, Charles Allen, stenographer, b. in
Great Barrington, Mass., 2 Aug., 1835. His father,
Judge Increase Sumner, was a distant relative of
the Increase that is noted elsewhere. The son
studied at Trinity, but was not graduated. He
subsequently studied law, and was admitted to the
bar, but his chief attention was given to the
practice of stenography. In 1856 he sailed for California,
and reported for the legislature in 1857-'61.
He settled at San Francisco, and between the
legislative sessions he was engaged in the state and
county courts, in law-reporting, and general
editorial duties till 1860, when he entered the Republican
canvass. The following year he edited the
“Herald and Mirror,” in which his opposition to
the “Shafter” land bill succeeded in defeating it.
Removing to Virginia City, Nev., Mr. Sumner was
made assistant-quartermaster in the U. S. forces in
1862, became colonel in 1864, and served as state
senator in 1865-'8, being president pro tempore
during one session. Meanwhile he had been twice an
unsuccessful Republican candidate for congress.
He returned to San Francisco in 1868, and began to
advocate a government postal telegraph in the
“Herald,” of which he was editor. After this he was
appointed official note-taker of the city, and in
1875 and 1880 official reporter of the supreme court.
In 1878 he was defeated as a Democratic candidate
for congress, but he was elected in 1882. There he
opposed the Pacific railroads, and introduced a
postal telegraph bill. Trinity gave him the
degree of A. M. in 1887. He has published “Shorthand
and Reporting” (New York, 1882); “Golden
Gate Sketches” (1884); “Travel in Southern
Europe” (1885); and “Sumners' Poems,” with his
brother, Samuel B. Summer (1887).
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SUMNER, Edwin Vose, soldier, b. in Boston, Mass., 30 Jan., 1797; d. in Syracuse, N. Y., 21 March, 1863. Young Sumner was educated at Milton (Mass.) academy, and entered the army in 1819 as 2d lieutenant of infantry. He served in the Black Hawk war, became captain of the 2d dragoons in 1833, and was employed on the western frontier, where he distinguished himself as an Indian fighter. In 1838 he was placed in command of the School of cavalry practice at Carlisle, Pa. He was promoted major in 1846, and in the Mexican war led the cavalry charge at Cerro Gordo in April, 1847, commanded the reserves at Contreras and Churubusco, and at the head of the cavalry at Molino del Rey checked the advance of 5,000 Mexican lancers. He was governor of New Mexico in 1851-'3, when he visited Europe to report on improvements in cavalry. In 1855 he was promoted colonel of the 1st cavalry, and made a successful expedition against the Cheyennes. In command of the Department of the West in 1858 he rendered efficient service during the Kansas troubles. In March, 1861, he was appointed brigadier-general in the regular army, and sent to relieve Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, in command of the Department of the Pacific, but was recalled in the following year to the command of the 1st corps of the Army of the Potomac. He commanded the left wing at the siege of Yorktown. At Fair Oaks, where McClellan's army was divided by the Chickahominy and the left wing was heavily attacked, the orders to Sumner to cross the river and re-enforce that wing found him with his corps drawn out and ready to move instantly. In the seven days' battles he was twice wounded. In 1862 he was appointed major-general of volunteers, led the 2d corps at the battle of Antietam, where he was wounded, and commanded one of the three grand divisions of Burnside's army at Fredericksburg, his division being the first to cross the Rappahannock. At his own request he was relieved in 1863, and, being appointed to the Department of the Missouri, he was on his way thither when he died. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for Cerro Gordo, colonel for Molino del Rey, and major-general in the regular army for services before Richmond. Gen. Sumner's last words, as he with great effort waved a glass of wine above his head, were: “God save my country, the United of America.” — His son, Edwin Vose, served with merit through the civil war, and was appointed major of the 5th cavalry in 1879 and inspector of rifle practice. In 1898 he was made brigadier-general of volunteers and ordered to the front.
