US Congressman, Journalist. Born in Newton, New Jersey, he was raised in Schuykill County, Pennsylvania, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1855. The following year he settled in Winterset, Iowa, and was Prosecuting Attorney for Madison County from 1856 to 1858. During the Civil War he joined the Union Army and rose to the rank of colonel of the 39th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment (1862 to 1864). Upon returning home he began his life's work as publishing editor of the "Winterset Madisonian" newspaper. In 1876 Cummings was elected as a Republican to represent Iowa's 7th District in the US House of Representatives, and served one term, from 1877 to 1879. Defeated for reelection in 1878, he gave up political pursuits and returned to his newspaper business. He died in Winterset.
US Congressman, Journalist. Born in Newton, New Jersey, he was raised in Schuykill County, Pennsylvania, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1855. The following year he settled in Winterset, Iowa, and was Prosecuting Attorney for Madison County from 1856 to 1858. During the Civil War he joined the Union Army and rose to the rank of colonel of the 39th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment (1862 to 1864). Upon returning home he began his life's work as publishing editor of the "Winterset Madisonian" newspaper. In 1876 Cummings was elected as a Republican to represent Iowa's 7th District in the US House of Representatives, and served one term, from 1877 to 1879. Defeated for reelection in 1878, he gave up political pursuits and returned to his newspaper business. He died in Winterset.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Cummings memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
-
U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current
-
Iowa, Grand Army of the Republic Membership Records, 1861-1949
-
U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865
-
Iowa, U.S., Armed Forces Grave Registrations, 1835-1998
-
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
