Spouse: Josephine Cummins

Parents: Frederick P. Cummins and

Born: 22 March 1843 in Conn. according to death certificate.

1870 Census lists birthplace as Indiana. This seems more likely and since his parents were married in Shelbyville IN., there is reason to believe he was born in Shelbyville or La Porte IN. the Conn. may come from the fact that his surviving sister, Mary Swan, lived in Bridgeport at the time of his death. Apparently they were close since a Fred Swan sent books on a regular basis to my mother (John's great grandaughter) Shirley Jean Cummins in the 1920's.

1860 census for La Porte IN. lists John W. Cummins as 17. making his birth also in 1843. The 1870 census lists him as 26 and living with his wife Josephine Cummins age 22 in the household of F.P. Cummins, his father.


Died: 29 June 1907 In Elkhart IN. at 308 W. Lexington Ave.

Children: Francis Walker Cummins (Connett)

Notes:
Death certificate lists mother as Francis Walker born in IN. and wife as Josephine Cummins born in La Porte IN.

Obituary:


From the Elkhart Truth dated 29 January 1907 Page 1

J. W. Cummins, Lake Shore Employee and Well known Citizen Succumbs to Apolexy.

Premonition of end?

To Friends He Had Expressed Fear That His Days Were Numbered - Died At Roundhouse Soon after Assuming Duties.


Engineer J. W. Cummins who died suddenly this morning was known by all railroad men on this division as one of the Lakeshore's oldest employees and he had ???????????? aquaintance in the city through his activity in politics and other public matters. His sudden death is a shock to the city.

Mr. Cummins was stricken with apolexy this morning about 5:30 o'clock at the lake shore foundhouse and died in a few minutes. He had jsut gone on duty, apparently in rugged health, and was about to leave on the wreaker when he was ???? with the fatal illness. He was carried into A. Mekel's office where he died. for everal weeks he had complained of occasional attacks and was considerably worried over his condition. To his intimate friends Mr. Cummins had recently made remarks which now indicate that he had a preminition of his sudden demise.

Active in public affairs and in politics and being a member of a number of ?????? he became well aquainted in Elkhart where he had lived for over 35 years. In recent years he had made his influence felt in 4th ward politics. After McKinley's nomination he left the democratic ranks and became affiliated with the republican party and had since been actively identified with it. A convention or any party gathering of consequence without the influence of "Jack" Cummins playing a prominent part in it has been a rarity in the last several years. Mr. Cummins was appoainted a member of the board of Police Commissioners by Gov ?????? and served from April 5, 1897 until July 9, 1898, when he resigned.

Interesting Military Career
The military record of Mr. Cummins was most interesting. He served as a lieutenant in Company I, Thirty-fifth indiana and was through the entire campaign of that regiment which is noted for the number and importance of its engagements. At the close of the war he became a captain in Conn's Veteran Light artillery. In his military carrer Mr. Cummins is said to have displayed extraordinary energy, a trait that he kept through life. Although when he was a brakeman on the La Porte division of the Lake Shore he sustained the loss of a limb he was able to render good service to the compan in work that was later assigned him.

Mr. Cummins had been in the employ of the Lake Shore Railroad for nearly 40 years and at the time of his death held the position of assistant road foreman of engins which was given him about one year ago. he entered the service of the company on the La Porte division and was later a fireman, continuing in that capacity for a year and a half when, in 1872, he was given an engin.
His Faternal Affiliations
Mr. Cummins was born in LaPorte, March 22, 1843 making him nearly 64 years of age at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, one sister, Mrs. M. E. Swan of Bridgeport, Conn., and a grandson Francis Connett, whom Mr. And Mrs. Cummins had adopted. His mother, the late Mrs. Connett, was their only child.
Mr. Cummins was a member of Elmer Post, N. 37, G. A. R.; of the Elkhart B. P. O. Elks lodge No. 425; a charter member of the Elkhart lodge Knights of Pythias and a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Elmer post will have immediate charge of teh funeral, which will be held from the late home, 308 West Lexington avenue. Services will be conducted at St. John's Episcopal church Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Chas S. Champlin officiating.

The pallbearers selected are: Judge James S. Dodge, J. M. Van Fleet, D. A. Fleming, Mark Floyd. Maj. J. D. Braden and Cyrus Seiler.