Cummings, Andrew J.

CUMMINGS, HALEY, MYERS, GREGG

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 9/30/2020 at 13:30:18

Andrew J. Cummings, a farmer of Iowa Township, was born in Pownal, Bennington Co., Vt., in 1827, and is a son of William and Sybil (Haley) Cummings. Both were natives of Vermont, he of Scotch and she of Irish descent. William Cummings was the son of John Cummings, who fought throughout the Revolutionary War, being at the time of his enlistment only fifteen years of age. His father fought by his side, but further than this specific history is not obtainable. John Cummings was later engaged in the War of 1812, and afterward became a farmer in Vermont. His father settled in Rhode Island when that country was under English rule, and was among the first settlers. He was a blacksmith by trade, and lived and died in that State. His son John reared a family of seven children, who were principally farmers or mechanics. Of these William, the father of our subject, wedded Sybil Haley, and lived and died in Vermont. His death occurred by accident when sixty-two years of age. He rented a farm there, and was the father of seven children – Betsy, Alonzo, Nancy, Lydia, Eliza, Andrew J., and Lyman and with the exception of our subject all are residents of Eastern States.

In February, 1854, A.J. Cummings came west and located on the tract of land on which he now resides, and later entered contiguous lands in company with his brother-in-law, who afterward sold Mr. Cummings his interests and returned to his home in Massachusetts. Upon the quarter section which our subject purchased was a small house, now long since removed. Mr. Cummings worked one year for Nathaniel McClure, and in April, 1855, Miss Phoebe A. Myers became his wife. Her parents were Joseph and Mary (Gregg) Myers, who were married in Pittsburgh, Pa., and were residents of Greene County, that State. They removed to near Salem, Ohio, in 1835, and in 1836 went to Peoria County, and then to Fulton County, Ill., in which latter county Mrs. Cummings was born.

Joseph Myers was three times married. His first wife was Mary Gregg, who bore five children, and after her death her cousin, Mary Gregg, became his wife. She bore seven children, of whom three are living. Hester Bennett became his third wife, and was the mother of two children, but neither of the parents mentioned are living. They Myers family came to Washington County in 1852, having been residents and the original owners of the site of Des Moines. This land Mr. Myers first purchased the claim for and afterward entered. He had owned other lands, but decided to remove to Washington County, where he lived the remainder of his life. His last wife died and was buried in this county.

After the marriage of our subject, the young couple began domestic life in the little cabin before mentioned, where they resided until 1866, when a new and commodious residence was completed, in which they yet reside. In the old cabin their six eldest children were born. There the prosperity of our subject really began. He gradually added more lands to his original purchase, and now owns one section in this township, and over these broad acres great herds of cattle and other stock thrive year after year. Five children were born after they moved into the new house. The names of all are respectively: Mary E., Byron O. and William A., are deceased: Lillie M. is the wife of Steward Alcorn; Charles S. and Joseph E.; Rosa B., Winnie, Wilmot, Irwin and Arthur A., all died in infancy. The family circle has oft been broken, but the three living children are all in robust health.

It is but a fitting tribute to one of the old residents of a county to say that from a child he has been ranked among the best citizens of the township. From our subject’s first location until the present time, in a social and financial sense, he has been an honorable and upright man. From beginning with $600 in 1854, he has made the capital multiply itself many times. And as the years increase, and gray hairs crown their heads, these good old people of whom we write can realize that the county is better for their having lived in it. Mr. Cummings has given agriculture his entire attention, and success greater than he ever dreamed of when young, is his. With pleasure this sketch is given to our readers, adding another name to the list of early settlers and successful families of Washington County.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Andrew J. Cummings, pages 382-383.