The Riverside Leader, Riverside, Iowa, Thursday, August 27, 1925

The community was shocked Tuesday night to learn of the sudden death of Joe S. Cummings. He was found dead in the barn on his farm southeast of town Tuesday evening at about 10:30 o'clock by Jack Seaton. Dr. Blythe was summoned immediately but life was extinct when ho reached the place. The doctor said ho had been dead for probably two hours. The county coroner was summoned and pronounced his death due to apoplexy. He said no inquest would be necessary.

Mr. Cummings has been living in Iowa City but had Jack Seaton working his farm for him south of town and spent a great deal of his time there. He did not feel in very good health Tuesday morning and ate no breakfast and very little dinner. He went to work in the afternoon, however, and was feeling better by night. The Seaton family came to town in the evening but Mr. Cummings said he would rather stay at home and that he would turn the mules out immediately and left for the barn. When Mr. Seaton returned from town he noticed that the mules were not in the pasture and went to turn them out. He found Mr. Cummings lying on the ground behind the mules. As no marks or bruises were found anywhere on the body, it was decided that apoplexy must have caused his death.

Joseph E. Cummings, son of Andrew and Phoebe Cummings, was born on the old Cummings homestead south of town April 9, 1867, and was 58 years, 4 months and 16 days of age at the time of his death. He was united in marriage to Mary Lingo June 6, 1888. Three children were born to this union all of whom survive. They are Mrs. Delphia Whiting, Washington, Ray, Riverside and Mrs. Hope Shoup, Iowa City. His wife passed away in March, 1924.

In 1920 the family moved to lowa City where Mr. Cummings has made his home since that time. He farmed on a large scale all his life and at one time took care of a section of land with the assistance of his son and son in-law. He was greatly admired and highly respected by all who knew him and his death will be mourned by many.

Funeral services will be held at the home at 10:00 o'clock Friday morning conducted by Rev. C. E. Fitzsimmons. The pall bearers will be J. L. Brookhart and Sen. S. W. Brookhart, Washington, Dan Sleichter, Westley Kohl, George Kron and John Toner, Iowa City. Interment will be mad in the Riverside cemetery.