Stephen W. Cummings is an agriculturist residing on section 33, Milo township, and he and his wife are the owners of two hundred and thirty two acres of rich and arable land. His birth occurred in the state of Pennsylvania on the 11th of September, 1843, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Winchester) Cummings, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts respectively. The father, who was engaged in business as a contractor, passed away in the Keystone state in 1851, while the mother died at Freeport, Illinois, in 1893. To them were born six children, three of whom survive, namely: Stephen W., of this review; Robert L., who is a resident of Freeport, Illinois; and Agnes, the widow of George M. Fugate of Freeport, Illinois, whose demise occurred in 1912.

      Stephen W. Cummings removed to Freeport, Illinois, when a lad of twelve years, and there learned the printer's trade. Subsequently he followed that occupation in Topeka, Kansas, for six years and afterward spent seven years as an employee of the Evening Wisconsin of Milwaukee, while during the next six years he worked on the Freeport Journal. He then turned his attention to agriculture pursuits and now operates a farm of two hundred and thirty two acres seven miles south of Manchester, Iowa. His undertakings in this connection have been attended with a gratifying measure of success and he has long been numbered among the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community.

      On the 7th of September, 1886, Mr. Cummings was united in marriage to Miss Abbie Taylor, who was born July 31, 1847, her parents being Reuben and Charlotte (Bixby) Taylor. The father, whose birth occurred in West Windsor county, Vermont, in October, 1793, passed away in 1870, while the mother, who was born at Springfield, Vermont, in August, 1804, was called to her final rest in 1887. In 1858 they had come to Iowa, locating first in Howard county and two years later in Hopkinton, Delaware county, where they resided for eight years. On the expiration of that period they purchased and located upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Milo township, spending the remainder of their lives thereon. Their children were nine in number. Stephen W. Cummings is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community which has been his home for so many years, and in the evening of well spent life is surrounded by material comforts and a host of friends.