From William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas
HENRY T. SUMNER, attorney, came to Kansas in 1867, and settled at Baxter Springs, established the Baxter Springs Herald, a Republican organ and the first paper south of Ft. Scott in the State. After successfully conducting the Herald one year he sold out; then turned his attention to law practice until 1870, when he became a resident of El Dorado. Mr. Sumner is a native of New York, born in Madison County, June 28, 1834; was reared, educated and took up the study of law. In 1854 he came West and located in Coldwater, Mich., where under the preceptorship of Gov. G. A. Coe he continued the law studies. Subsequently he removed to Nashville, where in 1857 he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court at Nashville; was residing in Nashville, Ill., in 1861, at which time he enlisted in Company E. Sixth- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. For three years was on detached duty as clerk in the Adjutant General's Office, after which he was transferred by order of Gen. Rosecrans to take charge of the military postoffice in the Department of the Mississippi. This important duty he discharged for one year.
Was prompted Captain of First Regiment Alabama Cavalry, U. S. V. for gallant conduct at the battle of Corinth. Upon being discharged he went to Minnesota and again enlisted, and when mustered out, January 25, 1865, was in the Quartermaster's department in New Orleans. He continued, however, in the department until the forces reached Mobile. Mr. Sumner participated in seventeen general engagements. He was married in Illinois to Nancy N. Free, of St. Clair County. They have three children - Charles P., Georgie S., Alta R.
Mr. Sumner is S. V. Commander of Wallace Post G. A. R. of El Dorado.
The following was submitted by Glenda Todd
Henry Tudor Sumner, Jr. was born 28 Jun 1834 in Madison Co., NY, married Nancy N. Free 12 Jun 1858 in Nashville, Illinois, and died in McKinley, Oklahoma. Nancy was from St. Claire County, Illinois and was born in 1837. She was the daughter of William Hart Free and Mary Reddenhouse/Rittenhous. Children of Henry, Jr. and Nancy were: Charles Ptolemy Sumner, born 13 March 1859 in St. Louis, MO; Georgiana S., 29 Jan 1862 in St. Louis, MO; and Alta R., 03 Dec 1874 in Eldorado, Kansas. Henry was the son of Henry Tudor, Sr. and Lucinda Holmes who were married 01 Dec 1831. Other siblings of Henry were: Martha Ann, born 06 Apr 1833; Thomas Greenly, 26 Jun 1836; William Lyon, 19 Jul 1838; Eliza Jeanette, 18 Jul 1840; Charles Fletcher, 27 Apr 1842; and Juanita W. Sumner, 11 Oct 1853, all born in Stockbridge, New York.
Henry Tudor Sumner, Sr. was the son of Henry Peterson Sumner, born 10 Jun 1773 in Hebron, Tolland County, Connecticut and Mary "Polly" Asenath Goslee who died 09 July 1875. Henry’s emigrant ancestor was William Sumner, born 18 May 1628 in Bicester, Oxfordshire, England and died 06 Feb 1674/75 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. William married Elizabeth Clement Dorchester, Norfolk County, Massachusetts in 1650. Elizabeth was born 1633 in Steadinge, Berkshire, England and died 1687 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Henry first enlisted in the 64th Illinois, Cav. US on 23 Oct 1861 in Nashville, Illinois and transferred to Company B of the 1st Alabama Cav., US on 22 Jan 1863 as Captain. He resigned 29 July 1865 due to the Illinois of his wife and children. Henry, Jr. died 07 Aug 1901 in McKinley, Oklahoma.
(Researched and written by Glenda McWhirter Todd) Please advise if you have additions or corrections to this family.
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.