Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Volume I and Volume II, Lewis
Publishing Company, 1904, pp. 44-47.  Carlisle Co.

MARCUS L. CUMMINS

     Marcus L. Cummins, who is now living a retired life in Arlington,
was one of the extensive landowners of Carlisle county and has been
very successful in his life work.  He well merits the rest which he is
now enjoying, and the fruits of his former toil supply him with all of
the necessities and many of the comforts and luxuries of life.  He was
born upon a farm in Nelson county, Kentucky, June 27, 1829, and is a
son of Michael and Nancy (Lent) Cummins.  His father was a native of
Anderson county, Kentucky, born on the 10th of July, 1786, and was a
son of Matthew Cummins, whose birth occurred in Halifax county,
Virginia, and who was of Irish descent.  At the time the colonists
attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression Matthew Cummins
joined the American army and fought in the Revolutionary war, loyally
aiding in the struggle which resulted in the independence of the
nation.  He was a weaver by trade and became an early settler of
Anderson county, Kentucky, taking an active and helpful part in its
pioneer development and progress.  There he lived until called to his
final rest.  He was the father of eleven sons and seven daughters, and
seven of the sons served their country in the was of 1812 and had a
remarkable record, all escaping injuries and being able to return to
their homes at the close of hostilities.
     Michael Cummins, the father of our subject, was born in Anderson
county and reared there amid the wild scenes of frontier life.  After
arriving at years of maturity he wedded Nancy Lent, the wedding taking
place on Christmas day of 1810.  She was a daughter of William Lent,
who died in Nelcon county, kentucky, April 10, 1836, in the
eighty-fifth year of his age.  He was a native of London, England, and
came to America when seventeen years of age.  He, too, was a hero of
the Revolutionary war, participating in the battles of Brandywine,
Princeton and many other engagements which added to the sum of
victories that ultimately quelled British power in the United States.
In 1784 he was married in Virginia, and after the death of his first
wife was again married.  Removing to Nelson county, Kentucky, he there
took part in its pioneer development, and was one of its leading,
influential and honored citizens; for over fifty years he was an
ardent and active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and lived
an exemplary life.  For twenty-five years or more his home was the
regular preaching place in pioneer days.
    To Michael and Nancy Cummins were born the following children:
Mary O., William L., Elizabeth L., Matthew N. and Nancy P., all of
whom are now deceased; John E., a resident farmer of Carlisle county,
Kentucky; and Marcus L.  In January, 1832, the parents came to what is
now Carlisle county, Kentucky, settling near Milburn, on O'Bion creek,
and there they spent their remaining days, the father devoting his
energies to agricultural pursuits.  He was a Whig in his political
views and during the Civil war remained a stalwart advocate of the
Union cause, using his influence as far as possible that Kentucky
might remain in the Union; and he felt great rejoicing when the
legislature finally voted to retain the place which it held in this
great government and not join forces with the Confederates.  Both Mr.
and Mrs. Cummins are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and their many excellent traits of heart and mind won for them
the love and confidence of those with whom they were associated.  Mr.
Cummins died in Carlisle county, March 22, 1863, and his wife passed
away on the 7th of December, 1870.
     Marcus L. Cummins was reared upon the old home farm in Carlisle
county, on which his parents located when he was only three years old.
He pursued his education in one of the primitive log schoolhouses of
the time, where he was instructed in the "three R's, readin', 'ritin'
and 'rithmetic," but though his educational privileges were somewhat
limited his knowledge was greatly broadened in later years through
experience, observation and reading.
     On the 3d of January, 1854, Mr. Cummins obtained a companion and
helpmate for life's journey by his marriage to Miss Harriet Ann Pile,
a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Stayton) Pile, the former a
native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky.  Mrs. Cummins was born
in what is now Carlisle county, Kentucky, on the 29th of March, 1836,
and by her marriage became the mother of three children:  William,
Annie and Julia, all of whom are yet living and are married.  Mr.
Cummins continued to reside on the old family homestead in Carlisle
county after his marriage, and there cared for his parents during
their declining days.  He lived on that farm for sixty-nine years, and
at length left it to locate in Arlington in March, 1899.  He was a
most prosperous agriculturist, carefully conducting his business along
lines that brought him deserved success.  He was progressive in his
methods of farming and kept in touch with the advancement of the
times, using the latest improved machinery and all modern equipments
that would facilitate the work of the farm.  As his financial
resources increased he invested in other property until his realty
holdings becaue extensive.  At one time he was the owner of over eight
hundred acres of valuable land, and thus he was able to give to each
of his children a home.
     Mr. Cummins has voted with the Republican party since its
organization, and believes firmly in its principles.  His wife holds
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and though he is not
identified with any denomination he has contributed generously to the
support of the church.  He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and his life has ever been upright and honorable, winning for
him the respect and high regard of those with whom he has been
associated.  As almost his entire life has been passed in this county,
his history is well known to our readers, and that many of his warmest
friends are numbered among those who have known him from his youth to
the present is an indication that his career has ever been such as to
merit the respect and good will of all with whom he has come in
contact.  The history of the county from pioneer times to the present
is a familiar one to him, and he has borne an active and helpful part
in the work of general improvement.

Cummins Lent Pile Stayton
=
Nelson-KY Anderson-KY Halifax-VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/carlisle/cummins.ml.txt