Joseph D. Summerville
Encyclopedia
Joseph D. Summerville served as the 15th Vice President of Liberia from 1902 until his death in 1905 under Presidents Garretson W. Gibson
and Arthur Barclay
, making him the only person to serve as vice president under two separate presidents.
Born on May 4, 1860 in Buchanan
, Grand Bassa County
, Summerville was trained as a clerk. He later worked for several American
and English
foreign trade businesses. In 1886, he was appointed as auditor of Grand Bassa by President Hilary R. W. Johnson
, and he successfully ran for the House of Representatives
as a representative for Grand Bass in the 1887 elections
. Upon completion of his term in 1889, he was commissioned as a major in the Liberian militia and was appointed superintendent of Grand Bassa County by President Johnson. He was later knighted as a Commander in the Order of African Redemption
by President Joseph James Cheeseman
. Summerville was elected as a senator from Grand Bassa in the 1893 elections
, serving a single term. In 1898, he was again appointed superintendent of Grand Bassa by President William D. Coleman
.
Summerville was elected vice president in the 1901 elections
under President Garretson W. Gibson
, and was reelected in 1903
and 1905
under President Arthur Barclay
. However, Summerville died on July 27, 1905 prior to taking office for his third term. As no constitutional provision allowed for the replacement of a vice president, meaning that President Barclay would have been forced to serve his entire term without a vice president, the constitution was amended in 1905 to allow for a special election to be held in the event of the vice presidency's vacancy.
Garretson W. Gibson
Garretson Wilmot Gibson was the 14th President of Liberia from 11 December 1900, to 4 January 1904. Born in Maryland, in the United States, his family emigrated to Liberia in 1835. After receiving an education in mission schools, he returned to Maryland to study theology...
and Arthur Barclay
Arthur Barclay
Arthur Barclay was the 15th President of Liberia, serving from 1904 to 1912.-Early life and education:Barclay was born at Bridgetown, Barbados, on July 31, 1854, the tenth of twelve children of Anthony and Sarah Barclay...
, making him the only person to serve as vice president under two separate presidents.
Born on May 4, 1860 in Buchanan
Buchanan, Liberia
Buchanan is the third largest city in Liberia, lying on Waterhouse Bay, part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is referred to as Gbezohn in the local Bassa language. As of the 2008 census, Buchanan has a population of 34,270. Of this, 16,984 were male and 17,286 female....
, Grand Bassa County
Grand Bassa County
Grand Bassa is a county in the west-central portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has eight districts. Buchanan serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
, Summerville was trained as a clerk. He later worked for several American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
foreign trade businesses. In 1886, he was appointed as auditor of Grand Bassa by President Hilary R. W. Johnson
Hilary R. W. Johnson
Hilary Richard Wright Johnson served as the 11th President of Liberia from 1884 to 1892. He was elected four times. He served as Secretary of State before his presidency, under the administration of Edward James Roye....
, and he successfully ran for the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Liberia
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the bicameral Liberian Legislature. Legislative elections took place on 11 October 2005, and the elected members took office in January 2006.-Candidate eligibility:...
as a representative for Grand Bass in the 1887 elections
Liberian general election, 1887
General elections were held in Liberia in 1887. In the presidential election, the result was a victory for incumbent Hilary R. W. Johnson of the True Whig Party , who was re-elected for a third term....
. Upon completion of his term in 1889, he was commissioned as a major in the Liberian militia and was appointed superintendent of Grand Bassa County by President Johnson. He was later knighted as a Commander in the Order of African Redemption
Liberian Humane Order of African Redemption
Liberian Humane Order of African Redemption was founded on January 13, 1879 during the presidency of Anthony W. Gardiner. It is awarded for humanitarian work in Liberia, for acts supporting and assisting the Liberian nation and to individuals who have played a prominent role in the emancipation of...
by President Joseph James Cheeseman
Joseph James Cheeseman
Joseph James Cheeseman was the 12th President of Liberia. He was born in Edina, Grand Bassa County, Liberia and was elected three times on the True Whig ticket...
. Summerville was elected as a senator from Grand Bassa in the 1893 elections
Liberian general election, 1893
General elections were held in Liberia in 1893. In the presidential election, incumbent Joseph James Cheeseman of the True Whig Party was re-elected for a second term....
, serving a single term. In 1898, he was again appointed superintendent of Grand Bassa by President William D. Coleman
William D. Coleman
William David Coleman was an American born Liberian politician. A True Whig Party member, he was the 13th President of Liberia, serving from 1896 to 1900. Immigrating to Liberia in 1853, he worked his way up to election to the House of Representatives and served as Speaker of the House...
.
Summerville was elected vice president in the 1901 elections
Liberian general election, 1901
General elections were held in Liberia in 1901. In the presidential election, incumbent Garreston W. Gibson of the True Whig Party was elected for the first time, having originally taken office after the resignation of William D. Coleman in December 1900. He defeated Coleman, who ran on the...
under President Garretson W. Gibson
Garretson W. Gibson
Garretson Wilmot Gibson was the 14th President of Liberia from 11 December 1900, to 4 January 1904. Born in Maryland, in the United States, his family emigrated to Liberia in 1835. After receiving an education in mission schools, he returned to Maryland to study theology...
, and was reelected in 1903
Liberian general election, 1903
General elections were held in Liberia in 1903. In the presidential election Arthur Barclay of the True Whig Party was elected. He defeated former President William D. Coleman, who ran on the People's Party ticket. Barclay took office on 4 January 1904...
and 1905
Liberian general election, 1903
General elections were held in Liberia in 1903. In the presidential election Arthur Barclay of the True Whig Party was elected. He defeated former President William D. Coleman, who ran on the People's Party ticket. Barclay took office on 4 January 1904...
under President Arthur Barclay
Arthur Barclay
Arthur Barclay was the 15th President of Liberia, serving from 1904 to 1912.-Early life and education:Barclay was born at Bridgetown, Barbados, on July 31, 1854, the tenth of twelve children of Anthony and Sarah Barclay...
. However, Summerville died on July 27, 1905 prior to taking office for his third term. As no constitutional provision allowed for the replacement of a vice president, meaning that President Barclay would have been forced to serve his entire term without a vice president, the constitution was amended in 1905 to allow for a special election to be held in the event of the vice presidency's vacancy.