Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 2).djvu/50

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CUMMINGS
CUMMINGS

such purposes. After the proclamation of par- don to the Mormons, in accordance with the tem- porizing pohcy adopted by Buchanan's administra- tion, Grov. Gumming objected to the farther advance of the army, but, notwithstanding his protest, it was marched into Salt Lake City, and did much to preserve order. Gov. Gumming held his office till 1861, when he was succeeded by Stephen S. Harding. — Alfred's nephew, Alfred, b. in Augusta, Ga., 30 Jan., 1829, was gi-aduated at the U. S. military academy in 1849. He was aide to Gen. Twiggs at New Orleans in 1851-'3, was made first lieutenant on 3 March, 1855, and captain in the 10th infantry, 20 Julv. 1856. He was on the Utah expedition of 1859-'60, and on 19 Jan., 1861, resigned, and was soon commissioned lieutenant- colonel in the Confederate army. He rose to the rank of brigadier-general, and served until disabled by wounds received at the battle of Jonesboro. Ga., 31 Aug., 1864. After the war he became a planter near Rome, Ga.


CUMMINGS, Amos Jay, journalist, b. in Conk- ling, N. Y., in 1842. His father edited and pub- lished a weekly religious paper in Irvington, and the youth entered the printing-office at the age of twelve years. After attaining manhood, he trav- elled and worked at the case in many states of the Union and in Canada. Pie also visited Mexico, Central America, and Europe. At the beginning of the civil war he was a compositor on the New York " Tribune," but soon joined a regiment of vol- unteers, and fought in the battles of Fredericksburg and ChancellorsviJle. Soon afterward he returned to work at the " Tribune " establishment, becoming successively night editor, city editor, and political editor of that paper. For many years he was on the editorial staff of the New York "Sun." In 1885-'6 he was president of the New York press club. Mr. Cummings is known as a ready extem- poraneous speaker. In 1886 he was elected to con- gress, of which he is still a member.


CUMMINGS, Andrew Boyd, naval officer, b. in Philadelpliia, Pa., 22 June, 1830; d. in New Orleans, La., 18 March, 1863. He entered the U. S. navy as midshipman in April, 1847, and was suc- cessively advanced through the different grades until he became lieutenant-commander in July, 1862. During the passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and the capture of New Orleans, he was executive officer of the " liichmond.'" During the subsequent engagement with the Ijatteries at Port Hudson he fell mortally wounded while cheering the men at their guns. He was removed to New Orleans, but died four days later. Admiral Porter said in a letter written at that time: " He was a gallant officer, and too good a jnan to lose." Ad- miral Farragut wrote: " Poor Cummings was a great loss, both to the country and to his family."


CUMMINGS, Asa, clergyman, b. in Andover, Mass., 29 Sept., 1791; d. at sea, 5 June, 1856. He was graduated at Harvard in 1817, and during 1819-'20 was a tutor at Bowdoin, meanwhile studying at Andover theological seminary. In February, 1821, he was ordained and became pastor of the Congre- gational church in North Yarmouth, Me., holding that charge until 1829. Physical infirmities com- pelled him to relinquish preaching, and he accepted the editorship of the " Christian Mirror," at that time the organ of the Maine missionary society. Some years later, owing to conflicting opinions on the slavery question, concerning which the Maine mis- sionary society was unwilling to take positive ground, the paper became his personal property, and he continued in editorial control of the "Mirror" until the close of 1855. A few months later he sailed for Aspinwall, on a visit to his daughter and for the benefit of his health. On the return voyage, soon after leaving the isllimus. he died. He published a " Memoir of Dr. Edward Pavson " (Boston, 1846).


CUMMINGS, Ebenezer Edson, clergyman, b. in Claremonf, N. H., 9 Nov., 1800; d. in Concord, 22 Feb., 1886. He was graduated at Waterville (now Colby university) in 1828, and ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Salisbury, N. H., in Sep- tember of the same year. From 1832-'64 he was pastor of churches in Concord, N. H. He was especially active in promoting the educational interests of his state, having been president of the board of trustees of the New London institution from its beginning, and for some time a trustee of Colby university. In 1855 he received the degree of D. D. from Dartmouth. Dr. Cummings published several sermons, and left in manuscript " The Bap- tist Ministry of New Hampshire for the First Century of our History."


CUMMINGS, Jeremiah Williams, b. in Washington, D. C, 5 April, 1823; d. in New York, 4 Jan., 1866. He studied at the College of the Propaganda, Rome, where he took the highest honors, and in 1848 returned to the United States. He was first stationed at the old cathedral of St. Patrick, on Mott street. In 1856 he built St. Stephen's church, and was its pastor until his death. Father Cummings was an effective preacher, a popular lecturer, and a promoter of sacred music. He published " Italian Legends " (New York, 1859); " Songs for Catholic Schools " (1862); " Spiritual Progress" (1865); and "The Silver Stole," and contributed to the " American Cyclopa?dia."


CUMMINGS, John, tanner, b. in Woburn, Mass., 26 Feb., 1785; d. there, 8 June, 1867. He early established himself in the tanning business, devoting his winter months to that occupation, while his summers were spent in farming. His hides were obtained from farmers through his own exertions in travelling on horseback to collect them, and bark was brought in from the ad- jacent country. About 1830 he began the manu- facture of high grades of leather as a special- ty, and gained reputation for the quality of his goods, supplying manufacturers throughout New England. Subsequently, when enamelled leather came into use, he became one of the largest tanners in the state. He continued in business until late in life, when he was succeeded by his eldest son. Mr. Cummings probably taught more young men the business of tanning than any other leather manufacturer in Massachusetts.


CUMMINGS, Joseph, educator, b. in Falmouth county, Me., 3 March, 1817; d. in P]vanston, III., 7 May, 1890. He was graduated at Wesleyan university in the summer of 1840, and then taught at Amenia, N. Y., seminary, becoming its principal in 1843. In 1846 he joined the New England conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was stationed successively at Maiden, Chelsea Hanover street, and Bromfield street (Boston) churches. He then became professor of theology in the Methodist general biblical institute in Concord, N. II., remaining there for the year 1853-'4, after which, until 1857, he was president of Genesee college at Lima, N. Y. From 1857 till 1875 he was president of Wesleyan university, and from 1875 till 1877 professor of mental philosophy and political economy in that institution. He preached at Maiden during 1877-'9, and at Harvard street church, Cambridge, during 1880-'l. In 1881 he became president of Northwestern university, Evanston, 111. He was a delegate to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in