Jacob Summers alist

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At the age of 16 Jacob enlisted to serve during the Mexican–American War, enlisting in Company K of the 2nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Mexico and the United States both claimed to own Texas. This led to the start of the Mexican American war. For soldiers like Jacob, the war meant long marches, extreme heat, and disease. His regiment saw considerable fighting and at the close of the war Jacob received a medal for his excellent conduct and bravery. 

When the war ended Jacob was just eighteen years old. He returned north and married the girl next door, Elizabeth Walters. He establishes the Excelsior House, which was located in the center the developing village. This was an important hub in the community, which hosted events and meetings. The first village elections were even held there. 

Jacob was employed by the village to plant and tend to the trees in Clinton Park. He wrote a petition to the village fathers for an increase to his pay because of great damage caused by school children. He warned if the children were not prevented from playing on the park grounds there wouldn't be a living tree left in Clinton Park. 

He lived long enough to see the town grow and his family expand around him. In 1896, after accidentally cutting his foot, an infection set in killing him at the age 76.






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