James H. Cummings

James Harvey Cummings (November 8, 1890 – November 1, 1979) was a Tennessee farmer, attorney and political figure.

James H. Cummings
74th Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives
In office January 3, 1967 – January 7, 1969
Preceded by	Dick Barry
Succeeded by	Bill Jenkins
31st Secretary of State of Tennessee
In office 1949–1953
Governor	Gordon Browning
Preceded by	Joe C. Carr
Succeeded by	George Edward Friar
Additional positions Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives In office January 5, 1959 – January 2, 1973 Preceded by Raymond C. Duke Succeeded by Frank Buck Constituency Cannon County (1959–63) 14th district (1963–65) 18th district (1965–73) In office January 3, 1955 – January 7, 1957 Preceded by Hoyt Bryson Succeeded by Raymond C. Duke Constituency Cannon County In office January 2, 1939 – January 6, 1947 Preceded by L. E. Willard Succeeded by Hoyt Bryson Constituency Cannon County In office January 5, 1931 – January 4, 1937 Preceded by O. E. Simpson Succeeded by L. E. Willard Constituency Cannon County Member of the Tennessee Senate from the 12th district In office January 7, 1957 – January 5, 1959 Preceded by McAllen Foutch Succeeded by Barton Dement In office January 6, 1947 – January 3, 1949 Preceded by James E. Evins Succeeded by Shelton H. Edwards In office January 4, 1937 – January 2, 1939 Preceded by James E. Evins Succeeded by Knox T. Hutchinson In office January 7, 1929 – January 5, 1931 Preceded by Albert D. McKnight Succeeded by Charles C. Jackson
Personal details
Born	James Harvey Cummings (1890-11-08)November 8, 1890 Cannon, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	November 1, 1979(1979-11-01) (aged 88) Tennessee, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Hesta McBroom
Relations	Carolyn C. Perrucci (niece)
Education	Cumberland University

Biography

Cummings was born in Cannon County, Tennessee, USA, east-southeast of Nashville. Other than during the course of his higher education he was a resident of that county throughout his life.

He was first elected to represent that area in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1928 and served for ten consecutive terms. He was then elected Tennessee Secretary of State by his fellow legislators, serving from 1949 to 1953. He then returned to the legislature and served ten more consecutive terms prior to his retirement in 1972. During this time he became known as the "Dean of the Legislature" and also "The Last of the $4 a Day Men", in reference to his service at a time when Tennessee state legislators were allowed no salary at all and were paid only $4/day in expense money.

Cummings was very popular among his constituents and seldom faced any organized efforts to defeat him for reelection, and was honored by his peers during the last day of the 1972 session prior to his retirement. Later, the portion of State Route 53 between the Cannon County seat of Woodbury and Interstate 24 was named the Jim Cummings Highway in his honor. He is buried three miles outside of Woodbury.