Robert Irvin Cummin

As printed in 1897

OBERT I. CUMMIN, one of the solid and successful business men of Dayton, was born in Liverpool, Perry county, Pa., July 7, 1845, and seventeen years later came to this state, locating at Marion, where he spent three years in the drygoods store of Johnson, Uhler & Company. After leaving that establishment, he secured a clerkship in the old store of Prugh & Rike, who were extensively engaged in the dry-goods business in Dayton. Two years were passed in this way, when his connection with the firm terminated by the formation of the house of D. L. Rike & Company, of which Mr. Cummin and S. E. Kumler were members. This firm carried on a most successful business for nearly thirty years, when the death of D. L. Rike caused a vacancy, which was soon afterward filled by his son, Frederick H. Rike. The firm of D. L. Rike & Company inaugurated a business career that has had a wonderful growth. At first they required the assistance of but two clerks; but their patronage has continually urged every advance that they have made, and has poured into their new and extensive establishment in so marvelous a way that they are now giving employment to one hundred and forty clerks. During all these years Mr. Cummin has been an indefatigable worker, alert to grasp every new and practical idea, and quick to utilize every scheme that promised to promote his business or the public interests. He was the originator of the design on which the Rike Dry Goods company’s new store building was erected, it being 150x80 feet in dimensions, and arranged with every convenience for the expeditious transaction of business, and being a model in its attractiveness and comfort to patrons.

Mr. Cummin, while thus attending to the promotion of the business interests of his firm, has not been unmindful of his duty to the public as a citizen. He was a member of the company which constructed the Fifth street railroad in Dayton, and was for many years one of its directors and a factor in bringing about its success; he was also largely instrumental in effecting the legislation which has made all the pikes of the county free to the use of the public without the imposition of tolls, and still finds time and energy to devote to the duties of chairman of the good roads committee.

Dr. William Cummin, father of Robert I. Cummin, was a native of Ireland, and his mother, Mary (Hart) Cummin, a native of Tuscarora valley, Pa., was also of Irish descent. The father was a physician of considerable ability and reputation. He acquired his medical learning in the schools of Edinburg, Scotland; Belfast institute, Ireland, and in Philadelphia, Pa. He practiced his profession in Pennsylvania, and died in 1846, at the early age of forty-two. His widow long survived him, dying in Williamsport, Pa., at the advanced age of eighty-six.

Robert I. Cummin had the benefit of a common-school education that terminated when only sixteen years of age. But he made the most of it, and has achieved a signal success in life. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and affiliates with the republican party in his political activities. He was married June 15, 1881, to Miss Ellen P. Church, daughter of Judge Gaylord Church, of Meadville, Pa. Four children, three sons and one daughter, have been born to them, of whom all are now living: Gaylord, Edith,

Hart and Pearson.

As printed in Centennial portrait and biographical record of the city of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with the biographi (1897). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.