Cumings, Ebenezer B.

CUMINGS, HUBBARD, KENDRICK, YOUNG

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 9/29/2020 at 13:15:22

Ebenezer B. Cumings was born in Bridgeport, N. H., in 1810. He is the son of John H. and Mary (Hubbard) Cumings. They were married in that State, and were probably born there, but full information cannot be obtained. They left that rocky State and located in Steubenville, Harrison Co., Ohio, six weeks after the birth of our subject. John H. Cumings was a blacksmith by trade, and at once opened a forge in Steubenville. One of his first achievements was the manufacture of a rag wheel for a paper mill of that place, which was operated for many years and is, perhaps, yet running. Five children were born to them in New Hampshire – Luther, John H., Sarah, Amos and Ebenezer. The eldest son learned the trade and worked with his father for several years. The father died when fifty-five years of age.

Our subject, Ebenezer Cumings, was married to Elizabeth Kendrick, in 1821, who bore two children: Calvin, deceased, and Mary Alepha, now the wife of Miles Beek, of Henry County, Iowa. Mr. Cumings learned the trade of boat-building, and for a number of years built flatboats which were loaded with flour at Steubenville, and were then floated down to New Orleans. In 1823 he removed to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he farmed and also burned several kilns of brick. The next year the death of Mrs. Cumings occurred, after which he removed to St. Clair County, Ill., where he also burned brick and erected some town property.

While a resident of Centerville Mr. Cumings returned to Ohio and was wedded to Miss Matilda Young, of Canal Dover. The young bride was taken back to Illinois, and for seven years they resided in Centerville, where Mr. Cumings was engaged in the occupation above mentioned, and in addition he built two residences and improved the town property which he owned. His money was carefully saved, but only a living was made during the first years of their wedded life. While living in Centerville, Emily, Nancy and John were born. They accompanied their parents to the western country in 1847, where Mr. Cumings entered the northeast one-quarter of section 31 upon which he still resides. The family found quarters in an old log house that had been long unoccupied, and had only part of a clapboard roof, while the prairies swarmed with rattlesnakes, Mr. Cumings wanted to go back to Illinois, but his wife like the broad prairies too much to leave.

After spending two years, hoping that his wife would agree to go back to Illinois our subject concluded to stay, although he felt as if it was a hopeless task to undertake to farm so remote from navigation, and with no stock to eat his grain even if he raised any. The first land he owned was not entered by himself, but was purchased from Thomas Parish, who made him a deed to forty acres for $80, upon which he built his log cabin, and split rails to fence a part of his land. Mr. Cumings brought but little cash when he came. After paying for his 40-acre tract, purchasing a cow, and one sow and seven pigs, he bethought him that a few bushels of wheat would not be amiss, and so expended his remaining cash for ten bushels. This left him without a dollar. The winter was coming on and the team had to be cared for. He could purchase two stacks of oats from a neighbor if he had the money, but this was as scarce as good clothes with our subject. Learning that Saunders Bros., of Mt. Pleasant, had money, Mr. Cumings decided to borrow some if possible. Although a stranger, he boldly walked in and asked if he could borrow $10 to buy oats for his team during the winter. Upon learning that he was an actual settler, the money was handed him and the oats purchased. These men have done a business amounting to thousands of dollars between them, and their friendship has never diminished. The old log house that yet stands was built the next year. Rails were drawn and a field fenced, which produced a splendid crop, and before he was aware of it Mr. Cumings had grain to sell. The log cabin was gladdened by the birth of a son, Sylvester, and as the children grew and his flock increased, the happiness and prosperity of the family became proverbial.

The mother of our subject made her home with him during the latter years of her life, and her death occurred when eighty-five years of age, in the old log cabin already mentioned. All the land was broken by Mr. Cumings with oxen, and the products of one wheat crop gave him such a start that from that day everything has gone easy with him. A grand frame house was erected, and the stately trees have all be grown since 1849. He has increased his 40-acre tract by hundreds of acres, and has given his own son Calvin a handsome farm adjoining his own, and yet remains for himself 240 acres of choice land. As they have grown in years so have Mr. and Mrs. Cumings grown in popularity and in wealth. Thirteen grandchildren do them honor, and among the pioneers of Washington County none are more highly esteemed. Calvin wedded Nancy Coppack; Emily is the wife of Harvey Millhome; David wedded Nancy McKee; Enos is the husband of Jessie Noble. The remaining children are unmarried and reside upon the old home farm, happy in the love of a devoted mother and indulgent father, who is yet a hale and hearty man at seventy-seven years.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Ebenezer B Cumings, pages 625-626.