William Summers was a successful businessman during Feilding's earlier years. He manufactured aerated water and cordial on Gladston Street. The business was started in 1878, by Summers and his partner Mayhew. After Mayhew passed away in 1884, Summers continued running the business on it's own, and it grew to "include a floorage space of nearly 3000 square feet". His trade extended far into the district, including Bulls, Halcombe, and Sadon.
Summers was born in Wiltshire in 1856, and spent some years in Chippenham at Smart's Cordial Factory, which is presumably where he learnt his trade. He landed in Aotearoa in 1872, on the ship Scimitar, and was a well-known Freemason and Forester. Summers married Sarah Jane Dowden, and they had one daughter together. Sarah passed away in October 1885.