US Congressman. Born in Frederick, Maryland in either 1814 or 1815, he was raised in Georgia and entered the US Navy as a midshipman in 1832. From 1838 to 1840 he was a member of the Wilkes Expedition that explored South America and the South Pacific. Failing to win promotion to lieutenant, Cumming resigned his commission in 1841 and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he was active as a druggist, importer of pharmaceuticals, and in cloth manufacturing. Although he had no previous lawmaking experience, he was elected as a Democrat to represent New York's 2nd District in the Thirty-Third US Congress, and served from 1853 to 1855. He did not seek a second term, possibly for health reasons, as he died seven months after leaving office at age 40 or 41.
US Congressman. Born in Frederick, Maryland in either 1814 or 1815, he was raised in Georgia and entered the US Navy as a midshipman in 1832. From 1838 to 1840 he was a member of the Wilkes Expedition that explored South America and the South Pacific. Failing to win promotion to lieutenant, Cumming resigned his commission in 1841 and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he was active as a druggist, importer of pharmaceuticals, and in cloth manufacturing. Although he had no previous lawmaking experience, he was elected as a Democrat to represent New York's 2nd District in the Thirty-Third US Congress, and served from 1853 to 1855. He did not seek a second term, possibly for health reasons, as he died seven months after leaving office at age 40 or 41.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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