Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-01-31
CHARLES q. CUMMINGS.

In the death Of Charles Bradley Cum.
mings Norway has lost her foremost son
aud business man. Mr.. Cummings
death occurred Thursday morning, Jan.
20 He had been In very poor health
for some time. He WAS the son Of
Stephen Cummings, Jr., and Frances
Whitney Cummings. Born 10 this town
December Is, 1884, he was but little over
sixty-four years OF age. He was educat-
ed In the public schools OF Norway. He
learned the trade Of cabinet making with
his grandfather, w. G. Whitney.
In 1861 he married Frances K. Staples
Of Bethel. His family consisted OF
Charles s., who died In 1897, stephen
B.. Fred H., Geo. l., Edwin s., and
Fannie w.
As q cabinet maker he was eminently
successful, and with his own hands
constructed the furniture with which he
commenced housekeeping In most
humble manner and laid the foundation
for the extensive trade In this line OF
business In which the firm has engaged
for years. As his business increased he
erected the building where the furniture
store and office now are, In 1868, where
he lived until few years ago, when be
moved to his elegant home opposite.
The lumber business next attracted
his attention, In which, like the furni-
ture undertaking, he was highly sue
cessful. At one time engaged 10 the
manufacture Of clothespins at the Falls,
at another operating the Hayden foun-
dry and later In the manufacture Of
box shook and boxes ut the power just
below Bridge Street.
As fortune smiled upon him, and his
sons grew to manhood and entered the
firm Of c. B. Cummings & Sons, he
added to his already extensive business
that Of milling-having one Of the best
grist mills 10 the State pan cake shop
and box factory.
In the great fire of 1894 the firm suf-
fered greatly. The box factory, grlst
mill and pan cake shop were reduced TO
ashes. With that determination and
presidency which were the peculiar
characteristics Of the man, be built
better and larger, with all the latest im-
provements adding steam heating
plant. Thus the man Of strictly honest
business principle became the main stay
Ut the prosperous and enterprislng
village.
In the increase Of population he built
houses to supply the enlarged demand for
tenements. He furnished for the farmers
an excellent market for pine, birch and
wood. In the manufacture OF the same
he employed q large number Of men
who would otherwise have sought en-
ployment In other parts. The firm be-
came the largest owner Of real estate,
aud consequently for years the heaviest
tax payers-a burden borne without
complaint and cheerfully.
Kind and generous TO the poor and
unfortunate, be was In marked degree
one Of the people, always sharing with
them his abundance. His happiest hours
were passed with bis workmen and their
families At his lake cottage, "Goat
Island"
The 6rst great blow, from which be
never recovered, came to him In the loss
OF his eldest >son, Charles s., who WAS
his main support in all enterprises. The
other members Of the family survive
him, each son being installed 1t the
head Of some branch Of the firms busi-
ness except Fred a., who withdrew from
the copartnership some years ago.
Fannie W. Il In Emerson College Of
0ratory, B0sten. Two brothers, John
n. Cummings and stephen II. Cum-
mings, and one slster, Mn. Harriet
Tibbetts Of Fryeburg, are living.
Thus Norway has lost one OF her
nobleet cons, man Of great natural
ability; honest, kind TO 0thers' faults,
Of most happy disposition; loved and
honored By III bis townspeopls. 10
polltis : KspsblIcsns z rslleioe BAT