C. E. Cummings, a prominent Marshall county banker, who is cashier of the Citizens State Bank, of Blue Rapids, is a native of Kansas. He was born in Centralia June 13, 1873, and is a son of C. S. and Mary K. (Smith) Cummings, the former a native of Pontiac, Mich., and the latter of Ohio. Her parents, however, removed to Illinois when she was a child, where she lived several years. C. S. Cummings, the father of our subject, in early life was engaged in the hardware business in Michigan, and in 1866 came to Kansas. He first settled at Leavenworth, where he worked at his trade of wagon making and blacksmithing, remaining there two years, and in 1868 went to Centralia. Here he engaged in the hardware business, in which he was very successful until 1905, when he retired. He died three yars[sic] later, December 24, 1908. The wife and mother survived him until October 12, 1913, when she, too, passed away. The remains of both parents are buried in the Blue Rapids cemetery.

C. E. Cummings was reared in Centralia, receiving his early education in the public schools and later attended the State University of Nebraska. He then took a commercial course in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Ill., and graduated in the class of 1892. He returned to Centralia and was connected with the Citizens State Bank of that place for one year, when he went to Alvin, Tex., and served as assistant cashier of the Alvin Exchange Bank five years, returning to Kansas in 1898 he established the Citizens State Bank at Netawaka, Jackson county, and became its cashier, while his father held the position of president. They conducted a general banking business until 1903, when they disposed of their interest there and came to Blue Rapids and organized the Citizens State Bank, of Blue Rapids, in 1904. Their banking building, however, was not completer[sic] so that it would be fit for occupancy until February, 1905, at which date they commenced business. The father was president and C. E., the subject of this review, was cashier at the organization of the bank. The father served in this capacity until his death, when he was succeeded by A. J. Birchfield, father-in-law of C. E. Cummings. Mr. Birchfield served as president of the bank about two years, when he, too, passed away. He died in May, 1910, and M. A. Thompson became president, and still holds that position.

Mr. Cummings was married, January 16, 1893, to Miss Grace I. Birchfield, daughter of A. J. Birchfield, above mentioned, and Anna I. (Hidden) Birchfield. Mr. Birchfield was a native of Kentucky and his wife of Maine. The Birchfield family were pioneers of Kansas, settling in Nemaha county at a very early date, where the father of Mrs. A. J. Birchfield was a pioneer doctor. Mrs. Cummings was born at Centralia, Kan., and was educated in the public schools of Centralia and the Boston Conservatory of Music, of Boston, Mass., of which she is a graduate. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummings has been born one child, Claude E., born January 20, 1897, now a high school student at Blue Rapids. Mr. Cummings is a Republican and has served one term as mayor of Blue Rapids and at the present time is a member of the school board. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Mr. Cummings's career as a banker has been marked with success. He is a capable financier and by right methods has won the confidence of the public. He is progressive in his business methods and adheres to that policy which conserves the best interests of his institution.