Research material collected by historian John Cumming, chiefly on western immigration from Michigan.

John Cumming was born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts in 1915. He taught in the Detroit Public School system before becoming director of the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University in 1961. Cumming served as director for 22 years, substantially increasing the size of the library during his tenure. He was a member of a number of professional organizations and researched Michiganders who went west in the 19th century, especially to the California Gold Rush. He was also an author of many books and journal articles. Cumming married Audrey Marie Severence in 1939 and together they had two sons, Robert and John. He died in 2010.

8 boxes (3.3 linear feet)

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Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department.