A. W. CUMMINS is a well-known citizen of Chartiers township, Washington county, having achieved an eminent and unusual success in his chosen vocation as an auctioneer. He has followed this business over eighteen years, his first trial having been made in March, 1874. Mr. Cummins is of Scotch descent (a country noted for the thrift and energy of her people, is " Bonny Scotland"), his grandfather having immigrated to America many years ago. He settled in Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., rented a farm of Mr. McElroy, who was blind, but had perfect confidence in his tenants who lived there for thirty-three years. Mr. Cummins was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Miller's Run. Robert Cummins was born August 19, 1836, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and in early life was married to Maria Dougherty, who was born on a farm that stood exactly on the line between Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Doughertys were early settlers of Virginia, where John Dougherty (father of Maria) grew to manhood and was married to Margaret Wilson. They lived and died near the Pennsylvania line in Virginia. To the union of Robert and Maria (Dougherty) Cummins three children were born: A. W. (subject of this sketch), Elizabeth (wife of John Patterson, of Cross Creek township, this county), and. Thomas (living on the farm with his brother, . A. W. ). The mother died in 1859, and for his second wife Robert Cummins was married to Esther Jane, reared in Chartiers township, daughter of John Howell, an early pioneer of Finley township, who passed his life in this county, dying about the year 1882. He was a strong and powerfully built man, in robust health, and died very suddenly. His widow is yet living in McConnell's Mills. Robert Cummins followed farming in both Chartiers and Mount Pleasant townships. In politics he was an ardent Republican, and in church connection a Presbyterian.
A. W. Cummins (the subject proper of this sketch) was born June 15, 1853, in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, being reared on the farm and educated in the country schools. On February 22, 1876, be was united in marriage with Jane Ann, daughter of Hugh and Jane (Shaw) Sprowl, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Harrison county, Ohio.
Hugh Sprowl was born in 1823, and at the age of twelve years came with his parents to Harrison county, Ohio. In early manhood be was married to Jane Shaw, and settling on a farm in Harrison county, remained there all his life. He died in 1874, followed by his wife in November, 1881.
After his marriage to Miss Sprowl, A. W. Cummins attended Duff's Commercial College for some time, and in 1877 settled at McConnell's Mills, engaging in the mercantile business, which be continued until 1885, soon becoming an expert salesman. He then began his prosperous life as an auctioneer and agriculturist, the latter vocation serving to aid the former profession, as a farmer would naturally know whereof he spoke, in estimating the qualities and value of an animal. In April of 1889 Mr. Cummins moved to the old MeElroy homestead of 103 acres, which was settled over a century ago, the house having been erected many years. His property has been acquired by tireless industry, vim and perseverance, coupled with an eloquent flow of language when describing goods, which gift has proved a valuable acquisition both to himself and those who have needed his services. He began the world at an early age, and undaunted by the harsh experiences of life, has been a "hustler" from the first. He owns nearly all the good buildings in McConnell's Mills. He is dealing extensively in stock, making a specialty of raising the National Delaine Merino sheep, selling nearly $2,000 worth of that breed last year. He is also raising Jersey cattle, and ships iarge, quantities of both kinds of stock to all points north, east and west. He is an active member of the Republican party, being chairman of the Republican committee in Chartiers township. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins are members of the Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church at Chartiers. The children born to their union are as follows: Nora Belle, Andrew Irvin, George Dilworth, Howard Leslie, Hugh Sterling and Laura Jane.
Text taken from page 470 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Donald Ackley of Santa Ana, CA as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]