Jacob Sommer
Jacob Sommer was an officer in the American Revolution, a Pennsylvania State Senator, and an Associate Judge who lived in Moreland Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The neighborhood of Somerton in northeast Philadelphia was named for him.
Early life
Born in Philadelphia, Jacob Sommer was the son of Johannes and Anna Eva Sommer. The Sommer family emigrated from Freistett, Baden, Germany, arriving in Philadelphia in 1752. John Sommer, Jacob's father, purchased property in the Manor of Moreland in 1761 where he was later recorded as a town supervisor in 1773 and a tax collector in 1775.Prisoner of war
During the American Revolution, toward the end of the Philadelphia campaign, the Battle of Crooked Billet occurred in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, about six miles distant from a village in Moreland called Smithfield. The battle occurred on May 1, 1778, the same date that Ensign Jacob Sommers of the Pennsylvania militia was taken prisoner at his home. Ensign Jacob Sommer was held prisoner on Long Island for four years until his release in 1782.Political career
The political career of Jacob Sommer of Moreland included running for the following elected offices, all for representation in Philadelphia County:| Year | Office | Affiliation | Result |
| 1802 | PA House of Representatives | Republican | Lost |
| 1803 | PA House of Representatives | No party | Lost |
| 1804 | PA House of Representatives | Federalist Quid | Lost |
| 1805–1809 | PA State Senate | Federalist Constitutional Republican Quid | Won, 4-year term |
| 1809 | PA State Senate | Federalist | Lost |
| 1816 | US House of Representatives | New School Republican | Lost |
| 1818 | US House of Representatives | Republican | Lost |
Jacob Sommer was commissioned as an associate judge for the District Court of Philadelphia from 1811-1821. He continued to be known as a judge in subsequent years because in 1824, Judge Jacob Sommer was a member of the correspondence committee to elect Andrew Jackson for U.S. President.