Walter Taylor Sumner

Background

Walter was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, United States. He was the son of Charles Davenport and Rintha (Thompson) Sumner.

Education

He graduated from Dartmouth College with the degree of B. S. in 1898 and subsequently went to Chicago, where he was associated with the Western Electric Company.

A connection with Hull-House brought him into contact with Jane Addams, who recommended him to the dean of the Episcopal cathedral as a person fitted to assist with the boys' work carried on there. Impressed with his spirit and abilities, the cathedral authorities offered to provide the means for his theological education if he felt disposed to enter the ministry.

As a result of their judgment that he had special qualifications for this calling, he enrolled at Western Theological Seminary, Chicago, and was graduated there in 1904.

Career

In 1904 Sumner was advanced to the priesthood, having been ordained deacon the preceding year. Before finishing his theological course he had become secretary to Bishop Anderson of the Diocese of Chicago and he continued to serve as such until 1906.

On January 6, 1915, he was consecrated bishop of Oregon, which position he held until his death.

During his ministry in Chicago these attracted nationwide attention. As chairman of the municipal vice commission he opposed successfully the policy of segregating vice in certain districts.

In 1909 he succeeded Jane Addams on the Chicago board of education and was instrumental in instituting regular meetings of parents for instruction pertaining to the moral welfare of their children. He attacked birth control and his refusal to marry except where the contracting parties presented certificates of physical fitness subjected him to much criticism.

His death occurred suddenly from a heart attack while he was visiting the Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland.

Achievements

• Walter Taylor Sumner was rector of St. George's Church and thereafter dean of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul and superintendent of the city missions of the Episcopal Church, Chicago. He was an able administrator and his diocese flourished during the period it was under his direction. He was also president of the Wendell Phillips Social Settlement and officially connected with almost all the important welfare agencies of the city. Sumner was one of the advisory council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Views

He was one of those who vigorously attacked a measure fostered by the Ku Klux Klan, which proposed to abolish private and parochial schools in Oregon. He took a prominent part also in opposing the repeal of the prohibition amendment to the Constitution.

Connections

He was married, January 1, 1918, to Myrtle Mitchell of Negaunee, Michigan, by whom he had two daughters, Elizabeth Ann and Mary Jane.

Father:

Charles Davenport Sumner

Mother:

Rintha (Thompson) Sumner

Wife:

Myrtle Mitchell

Daughter:

Mary Jane Sumner

Daughter:

Elizabeth Ann Sumner