§ 47. How summons served, when personal service cannot be made. If personal service of the summons cannot be made upon a defendant in an action in a court not of record, by reason of his absence from the state, or his concealment therein, such service may be made by leaving a copy thereof at his last place of residence and by publishing a copy of the summons once in each of three successive weeks in a newspaper in the city or county where the property is situated.