My Genealogy Hound

ALFRED B. COMMINGS. The ancestors of Mr. Commings were of German and Scotch birth, and settled in Bradford county. His grandparents lived and died there, and among their children was Harvey Commings, father of Alfred S., who during the early part of his life followed the occupation of farming. He afterward engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, and followed that occupation until his death, which took place in 1888, when he was seventy-four years old. He married in early life Almira Stedman, a descendant of the well known Stedman family of Lycoming county, and she died at the age of forty-two years.

Harvey Commings was a Conservative Democrat during his manhood, and both he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Church. To them were born children as follows, besides Alfred B.; Ophelia married Burton Scouton, moved to Missouri in 1871, and engaged in farming; Juliet (deceased) married John Annis, of Monroeton, Bradford county; Charles R. (deceased), a jeweler at Harrisburg, married Emma Funk, of Rockville, Dauphin county, and they had four children; Plumey (unmarried) died at the age of eighteen years; Ella is living in Bradford county; Frank E. married Ella Walfinger, and is engaged in the jewelry business at Harrisburg.

Alfred B. Commings was born Oct. 16, 1849, at Holland Hill, and received his early education there. When only twelve years of age, fired with patriotism, he ran away from home and enlisted at Harrisburg, as a drummer boy, in the 194th P. V. I., Company K. Capt. Clarence Updegraft commanding. The child-soldier participated in the battles of Gettysburg, City Point, Petersburg, and numerous smaller engagements, and when his term of service had expired he joined the 18th Pa. Cavalry. This command was sent to pursue the famous guerrilla Gen. Moseby, and needless to say had some very thrilling experiences. When Mr. Commings returned from the war, although still a boy in years, he was a seasoned veteran, and began the life of a man by engaging in the lumber business at Williamsport. There he remained for two years, and the following two years ran the stage lines from Troy. The following seventeen years he operated a successful livery, sale and exchange business, into which he drifted naturally through his connection with the stage lines, his stables being located at Harrisburg. From the expiration of the period above mentioned until now Mr. Commings has been closely identified with the hotel business, though he still deals in fine-bred horses. For nine years he conducted the popular cafe at Harrisburg known as the Hershey Cafe. He has successfully conducted hotels at Carlisle, Lancaster, Reading, Lebanon, Millersburg and Elkton, Md., and at the present time he is the proprietor of the well known “American House” at Mechanicsburg. Mr. Commings is recognized as one of the best judges of horseflesh in the eastern part of the State. No horse show or race meet is complete without him. He has probably entered more horses in races than any man in Pennsylvania to-day, and he has a long list of victories to his credit. Mr. Commings is a true lover of horses, and his stables contain some of the best bred horses in the State.

Mr. Commings married Gertrude Hillier, who was born at Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, and is a descendant of an old English family. One son, Frederick, has been born to them, and he is at present manager of the “American House” at Mechanicsburg.