The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-07-31

lima, succeeded him, although the re-
publicans controlled all the other
standing committees.
Born In Pennsylvania
Born February IL, 1850, near Car
michaels, Pa, Mr.. Cummins was the
son of Thomas and Sarah Cummins.
His father was carpenter and the
son picked up the elements Of that
trade as nm odd-tiMe helper to his
parent. He attended public school
and later entered college at Waynes-
boro. Early in his college career he
felt the call Of the west and, bor-E
rowing $50 from banker uncle. set
out of the territory beyond the Mis-
sissippi.
After u long journey he landed in
Of untold riches easily acquired in
that then virgin country were in a
class with some Of the myths re-
counted in the hooks OF his school.
days. After his liquid assets had
dwindled to 50, he obtained place
in the office Of the recorder Of Clay
ton county. The pay was small and
when II became necessary to refur-s
nish his wardrobe he went into the
country, where as q carpenter. he
helped to build mill, receiving 81. go
u day.
Later Mr.. Cummins got a job in
the express office ut MacGregor, in
Clayton county, on the Mississippi.
There occurred the thing destined to
change mis- whole future. A college
friend at Fort Wayne. Ind, offered
him Il job as assistant surveyor of
Allen county. With many misgivings
the young man took the job and soon
began work as q railroad builder.
The immediate job was completing
a link Of the Cincinnati, Richmond 4
Fort Wayne railroad through a
swamp. Cummins had no experience.
and was depending on his surveyor
friend to coach him, but the friend
passed him in the swamp without
stopping and SO the new surveyor
was left to sink or swim.
Built Road Through Swamp
Senator Cummins liked to tell
friends about those days: how with
great trepidation he went out over
the line; dismissed the workmen for
the day SO they would not immedi-
ately learn of his ignorance Of the
job he had tackled, and then began
| careful canvass Of the work that had
been done SO as to get ideas on which
to proceed.
In the end he did the Job SO we'll
|tthat he was called to position with
the Northern Central Of Michigan,
which he constructed. It was while
engaged in this work that he met
the young woman who later became
Mrs. Cummins, then Miss Ida l.. Gal
lery. Of Eaton Rapids, Mich.
The work on the Michigan road at
tracted the attention OF capitalists,
and he was offered a position by
those who were building the Rio
Grande. Cummins started for Dem
yer, but he never got there. While
waiting for his train in Chicago a
friend suggested that he remain and
study law, which he did.
Became . Lawyer
After being admitted to the bar in
Chicago, he removed to Des Moincs,
where he worked his way to the
front rapidly.
1t was without his own consent that
he broke into politics in 1887 when
some republicans bolted their party
and named him as an independent
candidate for the legislature. He was
elected and served one term. Five
years later when the leaders of the
republican party in Iowa set about
to reclaim the state from democratic
rule. he was made the chairman of
the state convention.
Soon after Mr.. Cumnins made his
first fight for place in the United
States senate, but was defeated by a
narrow margin. He rallied TO his
support many young men, and the
party divided into Cummins and anti
cummins elements. In 1901, after a
stormy campaign, he was elected gov
ernor, place he held until his
election to the senate.
While governor he started al
thorough investigation of railroad
taxation, rates, earnings and capital
ization and engaged in long strug-
gle against some of the practices of
the rail carriers in his state. On his
recommendation the legislature put
Through the two-cent fare law, the
anti-pass law, the joint freight rate
Jaw. an act limiting hours Of railroad
employees. and the primary election
law.
Senator Cummins in 1874 married
Miss Gallery, to whom one daughter,
Kate, was born. Mrs. Cummins died
in February, 1919, and after that
time the senator lived with his two
sisters. Anna and Margaret Cummins.
Besides his sisters, his family con-
sisted of two brothers. h. +. Cum
mlns, q manufacturer. Of Chicago, aud
:: =. Cummins. an attorney, Of Des
MOines.