William C. F. CUMMINGS

CUMMINGS, MCKELVY, MACK, WILSON, CLARK, NOBLE, MOSS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/2/2013 at 21:45:14

William C. F. Cummings, one of the early pioneers of this county, made his first appearance in South Haven Township, in 1873, and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of laud on section 26. He put up a plank house 16x28 feet in dimensions, and occupied this several years while he proceeded with the improvement of his property. His nearest market for some time was at Wichita, to which his grain and produce was transported laboriously overland with teams. The country was in its wild and uncultivated state, with not even a wagon road, and nothing to mark a path to any point except an Indian trail. The red man still prowled around, while buffalo and other wild animals were plentiful, deer, antelopes, and a great many wolves. The present site of South Haven was marked by a solitary store. Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which he was obliged to labor, Mr. Cummings was prospered, and in due time added eighty acres to his original purchase. He placed one hundred and eighty acres under the plow, reserving the balance for pasture and meadow. He planted an orchard of apple trees, and set out two hundred peach trees, besides trees of the smaller fruits. The necessary buildings were also erected, the plank house giving place to a modern and comfortable residence. Mr. Cummings resided there until the fall of 1881, when he removed to South Haven, where he has a pleasant home, including a neat frame dwelling with the other necessary structures, and five lots. He still retains possession of his farm property, and has the management of its operations.

The subject of this sketch was born in Erie County, Pa., June 7, 1823, and was reared as a farmer’s boy. The father, John Cummings, was a native of Strasburg, Pa., where he lived until reaching manhood, and then went to Erie County, that State. There in due time he was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of Michael McKelvy. Grandfather McKelvy was a native of Virginia, whence he removed with his family to Erie County, Pa., during its pioneer days. John Cummings. died in that county in 1829. The paternal grandfather, John Cummings, Sr., was a native of Germany, and emigrated to America when a young man, settling near Strasburg, Pa., where he spent the remainder of his life. When a youth of sixteen years, William Cummings migrated to Buffalo, N. Y., where he learned blacksmithing with his brother John, and where he lived five years. Then starting out again, he commenced traveling over different parts of the United States and Canada, working at his trade as opportunity afforded, he likewise spent three years on the lakes as fireman on steamers running from Buffalo to Chicago. Finally he located in Kendall County, Ill., where he took unto himself a wife and helpmate, being married in 1856, to Miss Anna E., daughter of James and Margaret (Wilson) Mack. Mrs. Cummings was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to America with her parents in 1846, when a child of six years. They lived for a time in New York City, then removed to Illinois, and from there to Wright County. Iowa. In the latter county the parents spent their last days. The father was a native of Paisley, and the mother of Glasgow, Scotland. They were married in the latter city, where for a number of years Mr. Mack occupied himself as a weaver. In their own country they were members in good standing of the Baptist Church. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cummings removed to Wright County, Iowa, where Mr. Cummings worked at his trade, and also prosecuted farming about nine years. We next find him in Davis County, Mo., where he sojourned about seven years, after which he returned to Iowa. From there, in 1873, he came to this county.

There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cummings. eleven children, six of whom are living, viz: Addie, Mrs. James Clark, of South Haven; Anna, Mrs. William Noble, of Sumner County; Wilson; Mattie, the wife of Albert Moss, of South Haven; Charles, and Daisy. The five deceased are Marion, who died at the age of six years; Rosanna, who died when four years old; William who died aged sixteen months; Andrew, and Allen, twins, who closed their infant eyes at the ages of two and three months. Mrs. Cummings is a member in good standing of the Christian Church. Mr. Cummings, politically, votes the Democratic ticket, but otherwise than serving as Justice of the Peace for one term, has had very little to do with public affairs.

John Cummings, the father of our subject, went to Canada during the year of 1812, and being a citizen of the United States, was arrested as a spy, convicted and sentenced to be shot. He, however, succeeded in effecting his escape before the day appointed for execution, receiving, it is believed, assistance from the Masonic lodge, of which he was a member.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Sumner County Kansas - 1890