Crider - McDowell Family Tree

John Milton SUMNER was always referred to by Samuel, Miriam and Jesse HAYS as "Milton Hays". I did not know his name was Sumner until I was fully grown, when I asked Dad who "Milton Sumner" in the Family Bible was. My Father, Samuel P. Hays(b.1901) believed that Milton was an illigetimate child of his Mother,Eliza Jane (SUMNER) HAYS. Milton's birth cetificate shows his Father as Silas SUNER. MIlton performed in the Pleasenton Coronet Band--per his obituary and an old card that shows that organization. He helped his Mother raise his brothers and sister after the death of Samule P. HAYS(b.1847). At some point he went to Kansas city, attended and graduated from the "Sweeneys Automobile School" at 2312 East 15th St., Kansas City, Mo. He graduated on June 1, 1911, per the Diploma he received, now in the possession of Barbara J. (HAYS) BELL. After his graduation, according to his brother, Samuel P. HAYS (b.1901), he got a job as a chauffer for a "rich family in Kansas City.' He drove them to a parade, and sitting in the wether in the open cab of the limosine, he caught the flu. He returned to Pleasenton where he died.

Excerpt from "Register Report for Levi SUMNER" by Barbara Bell.