Arthur E. Summerfield | |
---|---|
54th United States Postmaster General | |
In office January 21, 1953 – January 20, 1961 |
|
President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
Preceded by | Jesse M. Donaldson |
Succeeded by | J. Edward Day |
Personal details | |
Born |
Pinconning, Michigan, United States |
March 17, 1899
Died | April 26, 1972 West Palm Beach, Florida, United States |
(aged 73)
Resting place | Sunset Hills Cemetery, Flint, Michigan, United States |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Miriam Graim Summerfield (m. 1918 - 1972, his death) |
Children | Gertrude Miriam Summerfield MacArthur Arthur Ellsworth Summerfield, Jr. |
Profession | Politician |
Arthur Ellsworth Summerfield (March 17, 1899 – April 26, 1972) was a U.S. political figure who served as the 54th Postmaster General of the United States from 1953 to 1961.
Summerfield was born in Pinconning, Michigan on March 17, 1899, the son of Cora Edith Ellsworth, (Born in Indiana on April 11, 1877 - Died in Flint, Michigan on January 18, 1933) and William Henry Summerfield, (Born in Zilwaukee, Michigan in 1876 - Died in Flint, Michigan in 1938).
He before to embarking on his political career, Summerfield had become well known in Michigan as the owner of one of the largest General Motors automobile dealerships in the state; and one of the largest in the Midwest. On July 22, 1918, Summerfield married, the former Miriam Wealthy Graim, (Born in Alma, Michigan on September 7, 1898 - Died in Flint, Michigan on February 12, 1987). They had two children:
Summerfield ran unsuccessfully for the governorship of his home state of Michigan in 1946. He served as the chairman of the Republican National Committee between 1952 and 1953. At the 1952 Republican National Convention he played a key role in winning the GOP presidential nomination for General Dwight Eisenhower. As Michigan's delegate chairman Summerfield convinced the large, uncommitted Michigan delegation to support Eisenhower, thus providing "Ike" with a major boost before the voting.
In December 1952, President-Elect Eisenhower chose Summerfield as the federal Postmaster General; he served in that post from 1953 until 1961. His assistant postmaster was former U.S. Representative Ben H. Guill of Texas.