CUMMINGS, William F. - 1912 Bio (1867-1920)

CUMMINGS, CASE, BARNES, MARSHALL

Posted By: Debbie Nash - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/12/2005 at 21:54:04

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II
Pages 462-463

WILLIAM F. CUMMINGS

“William F. CUMMINGS, an enterprising and successful farmer and stockman of Buchanan township, is the owner of a tract of eighty acres of rich and productive land. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Jefferson county, his birth having occurred in Buchanan township, on the 6th of February, 1867. His parents, Samuel A. and Maria (CASE) CUMMINGS, were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. It was in 1843 that Samuel A. CUMMINGS came to Jefferson county, Iowa, with his parents, with whom he continued to reside until they were called to their final rest. He has been identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, purchasing the home farm after the death of his parents and having since been actively engaged in its further cultivation and improvement. He has now attained the ripe old age of eighty-one years and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community, in which he has resided for almost seven decades. His wife passed away on the 1st of July, 1879.

William F. CUMMINGS was reared to manhood in his native county, attending the district schools in the acquirement of an education. On attaining his majority he left the parental roof and began the operation of a rented farm, being thus engaged for four years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a tract of eighty acres in Buchanan township and began its improvement. The operation of that place has claimed his time and energies continuously since, and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. In addition to the production of cereals he devotes considerable attention to stock, raising forty head of hogs each year and keeping twenty head of cattle and eight head of horses.

On the 27th of November, 1895, Mr. CUMMINGS was united in marriage to Miss Alva E. BARNES, a daughter of John C. and Sarah (MARSHALL) BARNES, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, came to Jefferson county at an early day, purchased and improved a farm and continued its operation until 1895. In that year he disposed of the property and removed to Fairfield, where both he and his wife still reside. To Mr. and Mrs. William F. CUMMINGS has been born a son, Charles L., who is now thirteen years of age.

Mr. CUMMINGS is a republican in his political views and is now serving in the capacity of township trustee. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Fairfield, Iowa. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. He has remained a resident of Jefferson county from his birth to the present time and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.”

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.