Smyrna times., 1895-03-27
IN MEMORIAM.
WILLIAM POLK CUMMINS.

On sunday, the 18th inst, at fifteen
minutes of 2 O'Clock, p. m. William Polk
Cummins in his 41st year, entered into
life eternal. He was born in Smyrna
on the 10Th day of April, 1853-the son
of David J. and Juliet Polk Cummins, |
the eldest of their six children. In |
his fourteenth year, he was sent to
Andalusia College, for a three years !
course of study and next to the |
Academy at Merchantville, New Jersey, |
preparatory for Princeton College. He |
entered that college in 1871 and grad |
uated in 1875. After graduation, he
returned home and assisted his father
in his business for year.
He then managed his fathers large
farm, known as "Glenferu," near
Smyrna, and conducted its extensive !
operations, involving the important in !
terests of varied fruit culture as well as
of the cereals, with skill and fidelity |
for a number of years. While there,
he married, February Goth, 1884, Sarah |
Esther, daughter of the Hon. James
Williams, ex Representative to Con- |
gress. They lived at "Glenfern" till |
two years ago, when they made Smyr- |
Ma their home. He entered into business |
relations with John Cosgriff, under the
firm name OF Cummins & Cosgriff, for the !
manufacture of drain tile. He was for
several years director in the National
Bank of Smyrna. In all of his business
relations, whether at the farm or in
town, he was the same careful, pains
taking, accurate, methOdical man, hav
ing a frmness of purpose and urbanity
of manners that secured not only the
respect, but the regard of all who had
dealings with him. For his aim to
"do right and justice" it is not too
much to say that he "won golden
opinions from all sorts of people"
The distinguishing feature of his
character in whatever occupation or
business intercourse manifested, was
cOascientiOusReSS, which seemed to
anchor his mind and soul against the
winds and waves of temptation and
selfishness: and to throw the clear
light of discrimination, according to
his best judgment, for the right, and
against the wrong. When once poised
in purpose, no "forceful argument" no
voice of persuasion could unsettle, or
beguile him. He was infexible yet
gentle; firm in his opinions, yet toler-
ant nt:-always working for the best re-
suits, without sacrifice Of principle.
All his life he has been a member of
ST. Peters Episcopal Church, which he
loved and served faithfully, He was
baptized in infancy, and while at
Princeton College was confirmed dur
ing his freshman year, He held the
Office of vest-ymsn and treasurer of st.
Peters Church for twelve years and
was also choirmaster for a longer per-
iOd Several times he was a delegate
to the Diocesan Convention. As he
was scrupulously attentive to the
duties of each Office and discharged all
with the regularity of system and un-
questioned fidelity, the church, espe-
Cially in these departments, loses a
most valuable worker.
His was a remarkable character in
every relation of life. As son he
manifested a love and obedience to his
parents to degree go superlative as to
fix the admiration of everyone: and
which the increase of manhood's years
instead of diminishing, only eonspic-
uously strengthened. In his devotion
to his mother, which was evidenced by
daily exhibition of tepderest affection,
one could 9se at the meeting and
! greeting of mother and son, perfect
| picture of both maternal and tilial
love. He did more than obey
the command, "Honor Thy Father
and Thy Mother" He made it broad
enough to include his wIfe's parents in
honor and love. 1t was not necessary
to repeat the proverh to him. "My Son,
hear the instruction of Thy Father,
and forsake not the law of Thy
Mother"
AS husband no less of him can be
said than that in his heart, the tie Of
marriage was sacred; that marital love
was the synonym of devout loyalty to
wife, whose every wish was his pleas
ure, whose every suffering, his pain
an exemplar of the highest form of
domestic life and the dispenser OF
homes sweet influences for it's largest
circle.
Hia Christian life, through all his
years passed here, is a lovely pattern,
known aud read of all our citizens.
The church mourns his loss, but knows
for him ITO die is gain" Now comes
the hour of trial when his frmness of
conviction and fearlessness of spirit are
brought to the last great test in the
conflict with the skiing of terrors."
Bravely be wrestled on that bright
Sunday morning. 1t has been our lot
tn witness many death-bed scenes: but
never one like this. Possessed of full
consciousness, of sound mind and mem-
ory, Of strong voice aud power of
speech and acute hearing he knew
the "last enemy" as'well as be did his
soygowipg relatives: and in the midst
Of excruciating pain, he could say Il
must bear it," Recognizing the irwin
Cible power Of death, and that his hour
Of departure was near at hand, he asked
that the members of the families should
come. one by one, and bid him farewell.
For each he had a word of encourage
ment and message. Deep sorrow was