Founder of Pomona College. Dr. Sumner settled with his family in Pomona in the 1880's and became the first pastor of Pilgrim Congregational Church. As a community leader, he supported the creation of a Christian college that would provide superior education for Southern California families, and soon began full-time work in developing Pomona College, a 40-year endeavor. In earlier years in served in the Union Army in the Civil War in the 45th Massachusetts Infantry (Militia).
From the Pomona Progress-Bulletin July 13, 1927
DR. SUMNER IS LAID TO REST
Founder of Pomona College Receives Last Tribute Of Valley Residents
Claremont-Three hymns, favorites of Dr. Charles Sumner, who passed away at his home Monday night following an illness of several weeks, were selected by his son Dr. George Sumner of Pomona college, to be sung at the simple funeral services held this afternoon in the Claremont church for the beloved founder of the college.
"Rock of Ages" "Lead Kindly Light" and "Sun of My Soul" were the hymns, sung by a quartet composed of Mrs. A.D. Stauffacher, Mrs. J.G. Born, Ralph Lyman and Warner Bently. The services held before hosts of grieving friends who had known Dr. Sumner since the time he moved to Pomona valley in 1887 as pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational church, were simple and avoided addresses, as the life and work of the pastor is known to every person in the valley.
The services were conducted by the Rev. A.D. Stauffacher, assisted by Dean Norton of the college. Floral tributes to the sterling character and kindliness of Dr. Sumner marked the final resting place in Claremont cemetery, forming a tall monument at the grave.
.................................
Father, George Sumner, a farmer; son of John and Abigail
(Pease) Sumner; descendant of William Sumner, who came
from England to Dorchester, Mass., in 1636. Mother, Julia (Fisk) Sumner; daughter of Nathan and Abigail (Lyon)
Fisk; granddaughter of Daniel Fisk, who was one of the first
two settlers of Sturbridge, Mass., in 1731; descendant of
Nathan Fisk, who came to this country from Weybred,
England, in 1638 and settled in Water town, Mass Cousin:
Charles E. Sumner, '63.
Preparatory training received at Southbndge High School
under Nathan Upham, LL.B. 1853, and at Wilhston Seminary
1856-58. Dissertation appointments Junior and Senior years;
speaker at Commencement; third prize in Brothers in Unity
Sophomore debate; member Kappa Sigma Epsilon, Psi
Upsilon, and Phi Beta Kappa.
Enlisted and was enrolled in Company A, 45th Massachusetts
Regiment (a nine-months regiment); in September,
1862, promoted to Sergeant; took part in several engagements
in North Carolina; discharged July 7, 1863; next week
recalled and during the riots of 1863 was stationed with his
regiment in Faneuil Hall, Boston; taught at Monson (Mass )
Academy 1863-65 and during last year there also took the
first year studies at Andover Theological Seminary, completed
his theological course at Andover in 1867 and subsequently
acted as principal of Monson Academy for a few months;
ordained to Congregational ministry January 2, 1868, at
Monson, where he held a pastorate until October, 1879;
subsequent pastorates: West Somerville, Mass, 1880-82,
Tucson, Ariz, 1882-84, Pilgrim Congregational Church,
Pomona, Calif., 1887-88, and Claremont, 1891-92; superintendent
of home mission work in Arizona and New Mexico
under American Missionary Society (now Congregational
Home Missionary Society), with his residence in Las Vegas,
N. Mex., 1884-86; moved to Los Angeles, Calif., November,
1886, and to Pomona March, 1887; one of the founders of
Pomona College (1887), to which he devoted nearly forty
years of his life as teacher and administrator (professor of
Biblical literature 1888-1899; general and financial secretary
1888-1896; member of board of trustees 1887-1897 and
1898-1927 and secretary of board 1887-1897 and 1900-1927;
also secretary of executive committee and of committee on
buildings and grounds); charter member of Pomona chapter
of Phi Beta Kappa in 1914; LL.D. Pomona 1910 (only honorary degree conferred by the college in first twenty-three
years of its existence); interested in orange and lemon growing
and served as president of Indian Hill Citrus Association and
San Dimas Orange Association and as director of San Dimas
Lemon Association; active in cooperative business movements
in Southern California as director of Pomona Valley Telephone
& Telegraph Union and San Dimas Mutual Water
Company; vice-president of Yale Club of Southern California
1918-19, acting secretary of Class of 1862 during 1925-26;
author: The Story of Pomona College (1914); member of
Claremont Congregational Church at time of death.
Married (1) October 7, 1869, in Southbndge, Mary Louisa,
daughter of John Porter Stedman. Children: Helen (B.A.
Pomona 1894), the wife of the Rev. Eugene H. Benson (B.A.
Pomona 1894, MA. University of California 1898); and
George Stedman (B.A. Pomona 1894, Yale 1895, Ph.D. Yale
1897). Mrs. Sumner died July 21, 1893. Married (2) January
26, 1904, in New York City, Mrs. May Frost Cole, who died
October 29, 1905.
Death due to bronchial pneumonia. Buried in Oak Park
Cemetery, Claremont. Survived by daughter, son, and seven
'grandchildren.
From the Pomona Progress-Bulletin July 13, 1927
DR. SUMNER IS LAID TO REST
Founder of Pomona College Receives Last Tribute Of Valley Residents
Claremont-Three hymns, favorites of Dr. Charles Sumner, who passed away at his home Monday night following an illness of several weeks, were selected by his son Dr. George Sumner of Pomona college, to be sung at the simple funeral services held this afternoon in the Claremont church for the beloved founder of the college.
"Rock of Ages" "Lead Kindly Light" and "Sun of My Soul" were the hymns, sung by a quartet composed of Mrs. A.D. Stauffacher, Mrs. J.G. Born, Ralph Lyman and Warner Bently. The services held before hosts of grieving friends who had known Dr. Sumner since the time he moved to Pomona valley in 1887 as pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational church, were simple and avoided addresses, as the life and work of the pastor is known to every person in the valley.
The services were conducted by the Rev. A.D. Stauffacher, assisted by Dean Norton of the college. Floral tributes to the sterling character and kindliness of Dr. Sumner marked the final resting place in Claremont cemetery, forming a tall monument at the grave.
.................................
Father, George Sumner, a farmer; son of John and Abigail
(Pease) Sumner; descendant of William Sumner, who came
from England to Dorchester, Mass., in 1636. Mother, Julia (Fisk) Sumner; daughter of Nathan and Abigail (Lyon)
Fisk; granddaughter of Daniel Fisk, who was one of the first
two settlers of Sturbridge, Mass., in 1731; descendant of
Nathan Fisk, who came to this country from Weybred,
England, in 1638 and settled in Water town, Mass Cousin:
Charles E. Sumner, '63.
Preparatory training received at Southbndge High School
under Nathan Upham, LL.B. 1853, and at Wilhston Seminary
1856-58. Dissertation appointments Junior and Senior years;
speaker at Commencement; third prize in Brothers in Unity
Sophomore debate; member Kappa Sigma Epsilon, Psi
Upsilon, and Phi Beta Kappa.
Enlisted and was enrolled in Company A, 45th Massachusetts
Regiment (a nine-months regiment); in September,
1862, promoted to Sergeant; took part in several engagements
in North Carolina; discharged July 7, 1863; next week
recalled and during the riots of 1863 was stationed with his
regiment in Faneuil Hall, Boston; taught at Monson (Mass )
Academy 1863-65 and during last year there also took the
first year studies at Andover Theological Seminary, completed
his theological course at Andover in 1867 and subsequently
acted as principal of Monson Academy for a few months;
ordained to Congregational ministry January 2, 1868, at
Monson, where he held a pastorate until October, 1879;
subsequent pastorates: West Somerville, Mass, 1880-82,
Tucson, Ariz, 1882-84, Pilgrim Congregational Church,
Pomona, Calif., 1887-88, and Claremont, 1891-92; superintendent
of home mission work in Arizona and New Mexico
under American Missionary Society (now Congregational
Home Missionary Society), with his residence in Las Vegas,
N. Mex., 1884-86; moved to Los Angeles, Calif., November,
1886, and to Pomona March, 1887; one of the founders of
Pomona College (1887), to which he devoted nearly forty
years of his life as teacher and administrator (professor of
Biblical literature 1888-1899; general and financial secretary
1888-1896; member of board of trustees 1887-1897 and
1898-1927 and secretary of board 1887-1897 and 1900-1927;
also secretary of executive committee and of committee on
buildings and grounds); charter member of Pomona chapter
of Phi Beta Kappa in 1914; LL.D. Pomona 1910 (only honorary degree conferred by the college in first twenty-three
years of its existence); interested in orange and lemon growing
and served as president of Indian Hill Citrus Association and
San Dimas Orange Association and as director of San Dimas
Lemon Association; active in cooperative business movements
in Southern California as director of Pomona Valley Telephone
& Telegraph Union and San Dimas Mutual Water
Company; vice-president of Yale Club of Southern California
1918-19, acting secretary of Class of 1862 during 1925-26;
author: The Story of Pomona College (1914); member of
Claremont Congregational Church at time of death.
Married (1) October 7, 1869, in Southbndge, Mary Louisa,
daughter of John Porter Stedman. Children: Helen (B.A.
Pomona 1894), the wife of the Rev. Eugene H. Benson (B.A.
Pomona 1894, MA. University of California 1898); and
George Stedman (B.A. Pomona 1894, Yale 1895, Ph.D. Yale
1897). Mrs. Sumner died July 21, 1893. Married (2) January
26, 1904, in New York City, Mrs. May Frost Cole, who died
October 29, 1905.
Death due to bronchial pneumonia. Buried in Oak Park
Cemetery, Claremont. Survived by daughter, son, and seven
'grandchildren.
Founder of Pomona College. Dr. Sumner settled with his family in Pomona in the 1880's and became the first pastor of Pilgrim Congregational Church. As a community leader, he supported the creation of a Christian college that would provide superior education for Southern California families, and soon began full-time work in developing Pomona College, a 40-year endeavor. In earlier years in served in the Union Army in the Civil War in the 45th Massachusetts Infantry (Militia).
From the Pomona Progress-Bulletin July 13, 1927
DR. SUMNER IS LAID TO REST
Founder of Pomona College Receives Last Tribute Of Valley Residents
Claremont-Three hymns, favorites of Dr. Charles Sumner, who passed away at his home Monday night following an illness of several weeks, were selected by his son Dr. George Sumner of Pomona college, to be sung at the simple funeral services held this afternoon in the Claremont church for the beloved founder of the college.
"Rock of Ages" "Lead Kindly Light" and "Sun of My Soul" were the hymns, sung by a quartet composed of Mrs. A.D. Stauffacher, Mrs. J.G. Born, Ralph Lyman and Warner Bently. The services held before hosts of grieving friends who had known Dr. Sumner since the time he moved to Pomona valley in 1887 as pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational church, were simple and avoided addresses, as the life and work of the pastor is known to every person in the valley.
The services were conducted by the Rev. A.D. Stauffacher, assisted by Dean Norton of the college. Floral tributes to the sterling character and kindliness of Dr. Sumner marked the final resting place in Claremont cemetery, forming a tall monument at the grave.
.................................
Father, George Sumner, a farmer; son of John and Abigail
(Pease) Sumner; descendant of William Sumner, who came
from England to Dorchester, Mass., in 1636. Mother, Julia (Fisk) Sumner; daughter of Nathan and Abigail (Lyon)
Fisk; granddaughter of Daniel Fisk, who was one of the first
two settlers of Sturbridge, Mass., in 1731; descendant of
Nathan Fisk, who came to this country from Weybred,
England, in 1638 and settled in Water town, Mass Cousin:
Charles E. Sumner, '63.
Preparatory training received at Southbndge High School
under Nathan Upham, LL.B. 1853, and at Wilhston Seminary
1856-58. Dissertation appointments Junior and Senior years;
speaker at Commencement; third prize in Brothers in Unity
Sophomore debate; member Kappa Sigma Epsilon, Psi
Upsilon, and Phi Beta Kappa.
Enlisted and was enrolled in Company A, 45th Massachusetts
Regiment (a nine-months regiment); in September,
1862, promoted to Sergeant; took part in several engagements
in North Carolina; discharged July 7, 1863; next week
recalled and during the riots of 1863 was stationed with his
regiment in Faneuil Hall, Boston; taught at Monson (Mass )
Academy 1863-65 and during last year there also took the
first year studies at Andover Theological Seminary, completed
his theological course at Andover in 1867 and subsequently
acted as principal of Monson Academy for a few months;
ordained to Congregational ministry January 2, 1868, at
Monson, where he held a pastorate until October, 1879;
subsequent pastorates: West Somerville, Mass, 1880-82,
Tucson, Ariz, 1882-84, Pilgrim Congregational Church,
Pomona, Calif., 1887-88, and Claremont, 1891-92; superintendent
of home mission work in Arizona and New Mexico
under American Missionary Society (now Congregational
Home Missionary Society), with his residence in Las Vegas,
N. Mex., 1884-86; moved to Los Angeles, Calif., November,
1886, and to Pomona March, 1887; one of the founders of
Pomona College (1887), to which he devoted nearly forty
years of his life as teacher and administrator (professor of
Biblical literature 1888-1899; general and financial secretary
1888-1896; member of board of trustees 1887-1897 and
1898-1927 and secretary of board 1887-1897 and 1900-1927;
also secretary of executive committee and of committee on
buildings and grounds); charter member of Pomona chapter
of Phi Beta Kappa in 1914; LL.D. Pomona 1910 (only honorary degree conferred by the college in first twenty-three
years of its existence); interested in orange and lemon growing
and served as president of Indian Hill Citrus Association and
San Dimas Orange Association and as director of San Dimas
Lemon Association; active in cooperative business movements
in Southern California as director of Pomona Valley Telephone
& Telegraph Union and San Dimas Mutual Water
Company; vice-president of Yale Club of Southern California
1918-19, acting secretary of Class of 1862 during 1925-26;
author: The Story of Pomona College (1914); member of
Claremont Congregational Church at time of death.
Married (1) October 7, 1869, in Southbndge, Mary Louisa,
daughter of John Porter Stedman. Children: Helen (B.A.
Pomona 1894), the wife of the Rev. Eugene H. Benson (B.A.
Pomona 1894, MA. University of California 1898); and
George Stedman (B.A. Pomona 1894, Yale 1895, Ph.D. Yale
1897). Mrs. Sumner died July 21, 1893. Married (2) January
26, 1904, in New York City, Mrs. May Frost Cole, who died
October 29, 1905.
Death due to bronchial pneumonia. Buried in Oak Park
Cemetery, Claremont. Survived by daughter, son, and seven
'grandchildren.
From the Pomona Progress-Bulletin July 13, 1927
DR. SUMNER IS LAID TO REST
Founder of Pomona College Receives Last Tribute Of Valley Residents
Claremont-Three hymns, favorites of Dr. Charles Sumner, who passed away at his home Monday night following an illness of several weeks, were selected by his son Dr. George Sumner of Pomona college, to be sung at the simple funeral services held this afternoon in the Claremont church for the beloved founder of the college.
"Rock of Ages" "Lead Kindly Light" and "Sun of My Soul" were the hymns, sung by a quartet composed of Mrs. A.D. Stauffacher, Mrs. J.G. Born, Ralph Lyman and Warner Bently. The services held before hosts of grieving friends who had known Dr. Sumner since the time he moved to Pomona valley in 1887 as pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational church, were simple and avoided addresses, as the life and work of the pastor is known to every person in the valley.
The services were conducted by the Rev. A.D. Stauffacher, assisted by Dean Norton of the college. Floral tributes to the sterling character and kindliness of Dr. Sumner marked the final resting place in Claremont cemetery, forming a tall monument at the grave.
.................................
Father, George Sumner, a farmer; son of John and Abigail
(Pease) Sumner; descendant of William Sumner, who came
from England to Dorchester, Mass., in 1636. Mother, Julia (Fisk) Sumner; daughter of Nathan and Abigail (Lyon)
Fisk; granddaughter of Daniel Fisk, who was one of the first
two settlers of Sturbridge, Mass., in 1731; descendant of
Nathan Fisk, who came to this country from Weybred,
England, in 1638 and settled in Water town, Mass Cousin:
Charles E. Sumner, '63.
Preparatory training received at Southbndge High School
under Nathan Upham, LL.B. 1853, and at Wilhston Seminary
1856-58. Dissertation appointments Junior and Senior years;
speaker at Commencement; third prize in Brothers in Unity
Sophomore debate; member Kappa Sigma Epsilon, Psi
Upsilon, and Phi Beta Kappa.
Enlisted and was enrolled in Company A, 45th Massachusetts
Regiment (a nine-months regiment); in September,
1862, promoted to Sergeant; took part in several engagements
in North Carolina; discharged July 7, 1863; next week
recalled and during the riots of 1863 was stationed with his
regiment in Faneuil Hall, Boston; taught at Monson (Mass )
Academy 1863-65 and during last year there also took the
first year studies at Andover Theological Seminary, completed
his theological course at Andover in 1867 and subsequently
acted as principal of Monson Academy for a few months;
ordained to Congregational ministry January 2, 1868, at
Monson, where he held a pastorate until October, 1879;
subsequent pastorates: West Somerville, Mass, 1880-82,
Tucson, Ariz, 1882-84, Pilgrim Congregational Church,
Pomona, Calif., 1887-88, and Claremont, 1891-92; superintendent
of home mission work in Arizona and New Mexico
under American Missionary Society (now Congregational
Home Missionary Society), with his residence in Las Vegas,
N. Mex., 1884-86; moved to Los Angeles, Calif., November,
1886, and to Pomona March, 1887; one of the founders of
Pomona College (1887), to which he devoted nearly forty
years of his life as teacher and administrator (professor of
Biblical literature 1888-1899; general and financial secretary
1888-1896; member of board of trustees 1887-1897 and
1898-1927 and secretary of board 1887-1897 and 1900-1927;
also secretary of executive committee and of committee on
buildings and grounds); charter member of Pomona chapter
of Phi Beta Kappa in 1914; LL.D. Pomona 1910 (only honorary degree conferred by the college in first twenty-three
years of its existence); interested in orange and lemon growing
and served as president of Indian Hill Citrus Association and
San Dimas Orange Association and as director of San Dimas
Lemon Association; active in cooperative business movements
in Southern California as director of Pomona Valley Telephone
& Telegraph Union and San Dimas Mutual Water
Company; vice-president of Yale Club of Southern California
1918-19, acting secretary of Class of 1862 during 1925-26;
author: The Story of Pomona College (1914); member of
Claremont Congregational Church at time of death.
Married (1) October 7, 1869, in Southbndge, Mary Louisa,
daughter of John Porter Stedman. Children: Helen (B.A.
Pomona 1894), the wife of the Rev. Eugene H. Benson (B.A.
Pomona 1894, MA. University of California 1898); and
George Stedman (B.A. Pomona 1894, Yale 1895, Ph.D. Yale
1897). Mrs. Sumner died July 21, 1893. Married (2) January
26, 1904, in New York City, Mrs. May Frost Cole, who died
October 29, 1905.
Death due to bronchial pneumonia. Buried in Oak Park
Cemetery, Claremont. Survived by daughter, son, and seven
'grandchildren.
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