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Below is a family biography included in The History of Perry County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ISAIAH CUMMINGS, one of the native pioneers of Perry County, was born February 19, 1823. He is one of a family of four sons and seven daughters born to the marriage of Uriah Cummings and Sarah Lanman, both of whom were natives of the “Old Dominion.” The father, when a youth, removed to Kentucky, where he married, and in 1809 or 1810 came to this county. He located on land entered by his father, Thomas Cummings, which is now known as Cummings’ Bottom. About 1815 he built a saw and grist-mill on Poison Creek, known as Cummings’ Mill, which he conducted until about 1829, when he returned to his farm and erected a store. This business he conducted until his death, which occurred July 30, 1831. When the county seat was removed from Troy to Rome he gave forty acres of land to the county upon which to erect the public buildings, with the condition that the land should revert to his heirs when the latter place ceased to be the county seat. Upon the removal of the county seat to Cannelton the heirs claimed the property, but by some technicality their claim was defeated. Isaiah Cummings remained at home until he was fourteen years of age, when he began the battle of life. He followed flat-boating, and worked on a farm for several years, and in 1847 taught a term of school. In May, 1846, he enlisted in the Sixth Regiment Louisiana Volunteers for the Mexican war, but before they reached the scene of hostilities the Rio Grande campaign was at an end, and the greater part of the regiment returned home. March 22, 1849, he married Nancy Butler, a daughter of Abel Butler, and located upon land previously purchased, where he has since resided. He now owns a farm of 140 acres of good land. February 20, 1870, his wife died, having borne him fourteen children, six of whom are living. They are William B., Isaiah, Ira G., James L., Julia F. (now Mrs. Henry Shoemaker), and Savannah J. (now Mrs. Samuel Hargis). May 20, 1873, he was married to Sarah (Elder) Bullard, a native of Perry County. Politically, Mr. Cummings is a Republican, and previous to the formation of that party was a Whig, having cast his first vote for Henry Clay. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Universalist Church. His wife is a Catholic.

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This family biography is one of 257 biographies included in The History of Perry County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Perry County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Perry County, Indiana family biographies here: Perry County, Indiana Biographies

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