My Genealogy Hound

JAMES CUMMINGS, the subject of this sketch, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, in March, 1842. In 1848 he came to New Orleans, and after remaining there two years removed to Shellsburg, Wis., where he was destined to return several times in the course of a few years. Leaving home in 1852, he engaged his services to the firm of Lamar & Strockey, who were railroad contractors. Soon after this he attended Sinsinawa Mound College, in Grant county, Wis., where he pursued his studies two years. After leaving college Mr. Cummings entered the employ of Strockey & McCulley, who were then conducting the hardware business in Galena, Ill. It will be remembered that it was here in Galena that the man who was to become the head of the nation, and a restorer of liberty and freedom to all mankind equally, tanned hides, and dealt out the leathern thong in the store of his brother. We refer to the famed and distinguished Gen. U. S. Grant. Mr. Cummings knew, and associated with him intimately. Returning to Shellsburg, he clerked for J. M. Brewster & Co. in a variety store eight years. He was about this time appointed assistant sutler for the Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteers, being in the battles of Tupelo, Miss., Nashville, Spanish Fort, and Blakely, Ala. After the close of the war he clerked for McKey & Bro., of Shellsburg, E. H. Gratoit, Belmont, Wis., Stein & Bro., Darlington; operated in the hop-yards and cranberry marshes of Grand Rapids, Mich., returning finally to Shellsburg, Wis. In 1874 he came to Oronogo, Jasper county, and at present is in the employ of Chas. E. Elliott, the oldest merchant of the county. After a clerkship of about twenty years, he has invested in the mining lands of Mrs. Vivion and Jemison, with the view of leaving the monotonous toil of dealing out sugar and tape. These mines are new and only beginning to be developed by the firm of Whitfield, Rankin & Weathers, who are putting in engines and crushers sufficient to produce ore to the value of $2,300 per week, of which Mr. Cummings receives a stipulated royalty.