This gentleman has had an experience of twenty-two years in the grain business, and since 1888 has been located at Ransom, LaSalle county, Illinois, where he is the representative of the Bartlett-Frazier Company, of Chicago. He owns the grain elevator here and a half interest in the business, and each year handles a large amount of grain, averaging no less than four hundred thousand bushels. In 1897 he shipped three hundred and sixtyseven car-loads and in 1898 three hundred and fifty-eight car-loads.
Mr. Cummins is a native of Lincoln, Marshall county, Illinois, and was born March 29, 1851. His father, Theodore Cummins, was a native of Steuben county. New York; his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy White, was born in North Carolina, and their family comprised three children, now married and scattered: W. B., whose name introduces this sketch; Ervin, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Mary Duchene, of Carlisle, Arkansas. The father of this family died at the age of seventy-two. The mother is still living, in Carlisle, Arkansas.
W. B. Cummins was reared and educated in his native state, completing his studies with a high-school course, and, with the exception of a few months spent in Carlisle, Arkansas, he has always made his home in Illinois. He was stationed for some time at Ancona, this state, where he bought grain, and since 1888 he has been located at Ransom.
At the age of twenty Mr. Cummins was united in marriage to Miss Ida Pratt, a native of Long Point, Livingston county, Illinois, and a daughter of Philander Pratt, of this state. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins have an only child, Belle, who is now the wife of Frank Mears, of Kankakee, Illinois.
Ever since he became a voter Mr. Cummins has given active support to the Democratic party, and at this writing is serving as township clerk. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 120-121.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
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Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
