California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


G. P. CUMMINGS. The position of esteem and respect occupied by G. P. Cummings has been won by 
sterling traits of character rather than by influence. Irrespective of party lines he was chosen by the 
board of supervisors as county assessor in 1900, and performed the duties incident to his office with 
the same efficiency and thoroughness which had previously characterized his work as deputy county 
clerk and acting clerk of the board of supervisors. A native of Warren county, Term., he was born near 
McMinnville, May 30, 1856, the youngest in a family of ten children, all of whom attained maturity, he 
being the only one located on the coast. The family came originally from Virginia, which was the 
birthplace of his father, G. P. Cummings, Sr., the youngest child born to Col. Joseph Cummings, who 
went to Virginia from Scotland and won his title in the war of 1812. Colonel Cummings engaged in 
farming near Spencer, Van Buren county, Tenn., after the war of 1812, his death occurring in that 
locality at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. G. P. Cummings, Sr., followed the occupation of 
farmer and was also sheriff of Van Buren county, whence he removed to the vicinity of McMinnville. 
He served in the latter location as district assessor, and also engaged as a farmer until his death, at the 
age of sixty-four years. His wife, formerly Elizabeth Plumlee, was a native of Virginia and the daughter 
of John Plumlee, who took part in the war of 1812. Her death also occurred in Tennessee. 

G. P. Cummings, Jr., received his education in Burritt College, Spencer, Tenn., and in 1876, when 
nineteen years old, began teaching, which occupation he followed for nine years, in time winning a 
place on the county board of teachers' examiners, of Warren county. Deciding to locate on the Pacific 
coast, he came to California in 1885 and in Fresno county taught school at Eastin (now in Madera 
county). In 1887 he came to the city of Fresno and secured employment as clerk in a grocery 
establishment, where he remained for one year, when he entered into business for himself. He was 
located on I street, and the firm was known as Cummings & Higgins. This enterprise was continued 
successfully until 1894, when they sold out and dissolved partnership. For a time he was employed as 
traveling salesman, but on January 1, 1899, he was made deputy county clerk under George W. 
Cartwright, and was the clerk of the county board of supervisors from that time until July 30, 1900. 
Upon the last-named date he was appointed by the board of supervisors to fill the unexpired term of 
J. W. Ferguson, county assessor. This office he filled acceptably until January, 1903, when he retired 
and engaged in the real estate business under the firm name of Murdock, Cummings & Murdock, 
being located on Tulare street. January I, 1904, they dissolved partnership and he then accepted a 
position with the county recorder, to make abstracts of mortgages for county assessor. On the 1st of 
February, 1904, he was appointed under sheriff by J. D. Collins, since which time he has discharged the 
duties of that office. 

Mr. Cummings' home, at the corner of O and Kern streets, is presided over by his wife, formerly Bettie 
Smartt, a native of Warren county, where they were married. She was a daughter of George M. 
Smartt, a farmer of Tennessee, and a granddaughter of William C. Smartt, a patriot in the war of 1812, 
who emigrated from Virginia to Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings are the parents of four children, 
namely : Bonnie Jean, George. Annabel and G. P., Jr. Mr. Cummings has taken an active interest in 
educational affairs in Fresno, and for five years has served as a member of the city board of education. 
During the building of the high school, the Park Avenue, and the remodeling of the Emerson school, 
on K street, he served as secretary of the board, and was an important factor in the progress of the 
school system. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Independent 
Order of Foresters, of which he is past chief ranger; Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor 
commander; Woodmen of the World; and St. Andrew's Society. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, 
having served as a member of the county central committee.