Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN H. CUMMINS
JOHN H. CUMMINS.--A widely-known contracting plumber, who is also a sanitary engineer of note, even beyond the confines of the county in which he is most active, is John H. Cummins, of Sacramento, who was born at Dutch Flat, Placer County, Cal., on June 14, 1869, the son of John H. and Margaret Elizabeth (Parry) Cummins. His father came to California across the great plains in the early fifties, driving cattle, and he not only came once, but, accompanied by our subject's grandfather, he made no less than three trips. He first teamed in the mining country, and then he engaged in building bridges for the Central Pacific, and he constructed for that railway corporation the first turntable. Later, he established himself as a contractor and builder. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cummins are deceased, the worthy couple having completed lives of real service.
John H. Cummins attended school both in California and Arizona, to which state the family had removed in 1880, and after that he rode the range even in Mexico, and had interesting dealings with the Indians. In 1887, when California was being talked of throughout America on account of the realty boom, the family returned to California, and then he stopped at San Diego and learned plumbing. By that time, Mrs. Cummins had died, and this doubtless, contributed to his wandering throughout the United States, and to the City of Mexico, for six years, affording him a wide, practical experience of great value.
Mr. Cummins engaged in business in Los Angeles for a number of years; then he went to Mexico again, and in 1912 came to Sacramento, since which time he has been so successful that he employs ten men, and does all classes of work for dwelling houses, flats and other buildings. He has been president of the Sacramento Builders' Exchange; and in national political matters, he prefers the principles of the Democratic party.
Mr. Cummins was married to Miss Sadie A. Donkin; and they have two sons: John H., 3rd, and Joseph L. Cummins. Mr. Cummins belongs to the Elk order and is a member of Lodge No. 6.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County, California
With Biographical Sketches, Page 678. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.