Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Cummings, Lawton |
Genealogy ID |
51641 |
Born |
07 JUN 1826 |
Birthplace |
Oswego, New York |
Deceased |
15 OCT 1905 |
Deceased where |
Mansfield, Tioga PA |
Cemetery |
Prospect Cemetery |
Occupation |
Baker, Carpenter Merchandiser |
Titles & honors |
Masons Builder of Classical Seminary Builder of the Soldiers Orphans School building |
Father |
Lawton C. Cummings |
Mother |
Polly McMillen |
Spouse |
Polly Hunt |
Children |
Nettie Cummings John Lee Cummings Ida Belle Cummings |
Reference |
Obit 1897 |
Notes |
Lawton Cummings was born in Oswego, New York, June 7, 1826, and was one of nine children born to Lawton C. and Polly (McMillan) Cummings, as follows: Maria, wife of James C. Skinner, of Evanston, Illinois; David , deceased; Lawton, of Mansfield; Frances, wife of L H. Robbins, of Mansfield; Edwin, deceased; Eunice, wife of Horace Case, of Coldwater, Michigan; Elliott , a resident of California; Lucy, and John, the last deceased. When the subject of this sketch was three years old his parents removed to Oneida county, New York. There he grew to manhood, attending school until his was fourteen years old, and later learning the carpenter’s trade. His mother died in 1840, and his father subsequently married Lurana Hoard, removing to Coldwater Michigan, and there passed the remaining years of his life. In 1850 Mr. Cummings came to Mansfield, Tioga county where he worked at his trade for a few years. In 1852 he embarked in merchandising, as a member of the firm of Hoard, Beach & Cummings, in which he continued several years. He was among the earliest subscribers to the Mansfield Classical Seminary fund and was employed as a foreman in the erection of the first building. He was actively engaged as a carpenter and builder up to 1887, when he and his son, John L, opened a bakery and confectionery, under the firm name of J. L. Cummings & Company, which has proven a prosperous venture. On December 12, 1852, Mr. Cummings married Polly Hunt, a daughter of Samuel Hunt, of Mansfield, to which union have been born three children: Nettie S., John L., and Ida Belle. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in religion , a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. [1897 History] CUMMINGS, Lawton [SRGP 51641] - Lawton Cummings, one of Mansfield's oldest business men, died last Sunday afternoon, aged over 79 years. The funeral service were held from his late residence Tuesday at 1:30, Rev. Theron R. Green officiating. Burial in Hope cemetery. - Mansfield Advertiser, 18 October 1905, p.3 CUMMINGS, Lawton [SRGP 51641] - Lawton Cummings, for more than half a century a resident of Mansfield and one of its oldest business men, passed away at his late residence Sunday afternoon, October 15, 1905. His death was not unexpected, as he had been confined to his bed for the past eight months. On January 13, 1903, he suffered a stroke of apoplexy, from which he never recovered, and his naturally strong constitution has been crumbling away. He was born in Pulaski, Oswego county, NY, June 7, 1826, and was the third son of Lawton Cummings, late of Coldwater, Mich. In 1852 he married Polly Hunt, who died in 1902. To them were born three children, Nettie, of Mansfield, John L., who died in 1904, and Mrs. P.E. Decker, of Athens, PA. One sister, Mrs. L.H. Robbins, of this place, and one brother in California also survive him. He came to Mansfield in 1850 and entered into partnership with Lyman Beach and Joseph Hoard in the mercantile business. Messrs. Beach and Hoard retiring, he conducted the business alone; later he was in the bakery business for a long time. By trade he was a carpenter and at times followed that occupation. He built the Hotel Allen, the residences of D.H. Pitts, Dr. Moody and others. His old home now occupied by Mrs. Fannie B. Pitts, was quite at the outskirts of town when built. He assisted in the building of the Classical Seminary, and at the time of its destruction by fire was the last man to leave the walls, coming down a rope when all other means of escape were cut off. He was a loyal worker in helping to build the Normal, was at one time a trustee, and always its friend, and always a stockholder. At the time of terrible epidemic of typhoid fever in 1874, he assisted in caring for the sick. He was public spirited, always interested in the welfare of the town, and took a deep interest in political affairs. He embraced the Christian religion and was baptized into the M.E. church. He was also a member of the first Masonic lodge instituted in Mansfield. The funeral services were held from his late residence Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, Rev. Theron R. Green officiating. The interment was made in Hope cemetery. - Mansfield Advertiser, 25 October 1905, p.2 |
