WEBB SUMMERS, one of the prominent stockmen of Howell County, is a native of Georgia, born in Fannin County, March 3, 1854, to the marriage of Thomas and Mary (Ensley) Summers.
The father was a native of North Carolina, but moved to a farm in Georgia and there died before the war. After his death his widow came to Missouri, located in Dent County and from there moved to Howell County in 1874, making her home near West Plains for some time. She now makes her home with her son, Webb, and is comfortable and contented. She was the mother of seven children: William, who died in 1889, was a soldier in the Confederate Army and a prominent farmer and stockman (he was married); Eliza A., the wife of Rufus Brambrett, resides in this county; Paulina J., wife of John Edmonson, a farmer of this county; Elizabeth, the wife of Ansman Henry, a farmer of this county; Mary married William Weeks, a farmer here; George is a farmer of this county, and Webb, our subject, who is the youngest child. Grandfather and Grandmother Ensley came to Missouri with the mother of our subject and both died in this State, the grandmother in Dent and the grandfather in Howell County, the latter when ninety-three years of age. The grandfather helped move the Indians from North Carolina westward.
Our subject grew to manhood on a farm and while still quite young engaged in farming and stockraising. He has a farm one mile east of West Plains and it is one of the best in the county. He started with little capital and by his industry, and after overcoming many difficulties, became the owner of a good property. He has 122 acres of land, all under cultivation, and it is said to be the best stock farm in Howell County. He is engaged in buying and shipping stock and is wide-awake and progressive. Previous to coming to this county in 1878 he had resided for three years in western Missouri and Kansas. Mr. Summers is interested in the grocery firm of Linsay & Summers, on Washington Avenue, near the depot, and he is interested in other business enterprises, being connected with the livery business in West Plains. When Mr. Summers came to this county he was $75 in debt and had to walk from Kansas to this county. In sixteen years he has made a good property, owns a fine farm and is good for $10,000 in the bank. Politically he is a Democrat and socially a K. of P. of West Plains. Mr. Summers was married in Howell County to Miss Florence N. Livesay, daughter of J. M. and Ann Livesay, and they have an interesting family of four children: Noble, Myrtle, Carrie and Byron. Mr. and Mrs. Summers are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and liberal contributors to the same.