My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. TITUS CUMMINGS, a merchant of Cannelton, was born in Tobin Township, Perry Co., Ind., September 19, 1830. He is one of eight children born to Josiah and Sophia (Thrasher) Cummings, who were among the earliest settlers in the county. Titus received but a limited education such as the primitive schools of his day afforded. He was raised on the farm until seventeen years of age. At that age he began flat-boating on the river, and followed it for twelve years. At the end of that time he began clerking for Samuel Hargis, at Derby, where he remained four years. Succeeding this for four years he followed trading on the river in company with George Elder. In 1853 he located at Cannelton in the merchandise trade with Dennis Grissom. At the end of twelve months, upon his father’s death, he returned to Derby. From that date he followed trading and boating until the outbreak of the war. A militia company called the Union Greys was organized. Soon afterward most of the members volunteered in the United States service, and he was first lieutenant. That place he held until after the battle of Chickamauga, where he was wounded and there promoted to the captaincy. He was compelled to resign on account of his wound, and he was appointed military conductor on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Upon resigning his captain’s commission he returned home. That was in 1864, and he formed a partnership with M. V. Burnett which lasted until 1868, when he was elected county treasurer. For five years he sold goods at Hancock Mines in Kentucky, and then returned to Cannelton, where he has ever since been in trade. Catherine M. Adkins became his wife September, 1856, by whom he is the father of six children, only four now living. He is a member of the Masonic, A. O. U. W. and G. A. R. societies.