[Silas] S. E. Cummings, a farmer of the Ninth District, was born January 19, 1830, in Clark County, Ky. He is the second of eight children born to Malachi and Edith (Brooksher) Cummings. Both parents were also natives of Clark County, and of English descent. The father was born in 1802; a prosperous farmer. He moved to Sumner County, Tenn., in 1841, and died March 2, 1842. His wife was born January 10, 1802. The subject of this sketch was quite young when his father died. He remained on the farm and assisted his mother in raising a large family. December 22, 1872, he married Miss Sarah E. Fonville, a native of Sumner County, of French-English origin, born in June, 1836. Their union resulted in the birth of three children: John E., Thomas E. and Mabel. By his wife Mr. C. received fifty acres of land, and purchased another fifty, making a fine farm. It is situated on the Red River Turnpike, four and a half miles from Gallatin. He is one of the county's most energetic and enterprising agriculturalists and worthy citizens. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He was formerly a Whig, but now affiliates with the Democratic party.

[Transcriber's note: The 1880 U.S. Census gives the birthplace of the subject's mother, Edith Cummings, age 76, as NC.]