Uriah at age 19 - in 1852

Uriah Gregory Cummings
1833-1910
 1. Isaac  2. John  3. Abraham  4. Abraham  5. Stephen  6. Stephen  7. Hezikiah  8. Uriah Gregory Cummings

FROM THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY, Vol XV, 1924
pp. 291-294 excerpt taken from son Homer Stille Cummings biography

Uriah Cummings, son of Hezekiah and Betsy (Bates) Cummings, was born April 30, 1833, at Akron, New York, and spent the greater part of his active business life in the manufacture and sale of cement.  At the time of his death he was president of the Cummings Cement Company of Akron, a concern which was established in 1854, and continued opera tions until about the year 1910.  In matters relating to cement or concrete, Mr. Cummings was, undoubtedly, the highest authority in the United States.  For many years he had charge of the investigations conducted by the United States government on this subject, and wrote the government reports which were published annually.  His lecture on the chemistry of cement, originally delivered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston in 1888, created a profound impression in scientific circles.  He frequently contributed articles on scientific subjects to technical magazines and other publications.  His work on "American Cements," published in 1898, is today the leading authority on that subject.  A second edition was published in 1905, and the book is found in all well equipped technical libraries.  In 1901 Mr. Cummings organized the Chickamauga Cement Company of Rossville , Georgia, which has an extensive manufacturing plant and property near Chattanooga, Tennessee.  For several years he was president of this company, but resigned the office about three years before his death .  In 1886 he established a cement plant in Mankato, Minnesota, and he was at one time connected with the Artificial Stone Company of San Francisco, as well as various other enterprises.  He was the inventor of more than thirty successful mechanical devices, among the most important of which are: An air compressor, a stone dresser, and a machine for testing pneumatically the tensile strain of cement briquettes.

In addition to his technical works Mr. Cummings wrote many tales dealing chiefly with the Indians of Western New York, in whom he was greatly interested.  His study of Indian history, tradition and language was unusually extensive, resulting in the discovery of much valuable material, and causing him to be regarded as an authority on these subjects.  Among the Tonawanda Indians, who occupy the government reservation near Akron, he was known as Chief Hah-Tah-E-Nah, having been made an honorary member of the tribe.  He was recognized as the true friend of the red man, having devoted much time in attempts to secure for them just and humane treatment at the hands of the government.

In fraternal circles Mr. Cummings affiliated with Hiram Lodge, No I , Free and Accepted Masons, of New Haven, and Clinton Commandery, No . 3, Knight Templar, of Norwalk.  He was widely read, and was in constant correspondence on technical and historical subjects with distinguished men both in the United States and in Europe.

Mr Cummings married, March 31, 1869, Audie Schuyler Stille, daughter of Jacob Schuyler Stille and Audelia Lawrence (Weekes) Stille, of Buffalo.  The Schuyler, Stille and Weekes ancestry is traced back to England, France and Holland, the American branch of the family having settled in the State of New York.  Mr and Mrs. Cummings were the parents of one son: Homer Stille Cummings, the subject of this sketch.  They were residents of Stamford, "Ruthven," their country home, being situated near Akron, New York.

On November 10, 1910, Mr Cummings passed away, leaving the memory of a man who cherished the highest standards of personal honor and integrity.
 

Uriah Gregory Cummings
b: April 30, 1833 in Akron, Newstead Twp., Erie Co., New York
d: November 10, 1910 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut

.  +Clara Elizabeth Richardson
b: April 16, 1834 in New York
d: March 22, 1867 in Newstead Twp., Erie Co., New York

... 2   Harriet Cummings b: Abt. 1851 in Newstead, Erie Co., New York
... 2   Charles Cummings b: Abt. 1853 in Newstead, Erie Co., New York

  *2nd Wife of Uriah Gregory Cummings:
.  +Audie Schuyler Stille'
b: March 14, 1847 in Buffalo, Erie Co., New York
m: March 31, 1869 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan
d: August 20, 1924 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut

... 2   Homer Stilles Cummings
b: April 30, 1870 in Cook County, Illinois., at home, on Chicago Ave.
d: September 10, 1956 in Washington, D.C.