Margaret (Smith) Cummings

Margaret McIntyre Smith Cummings (1839-1931) was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of William and Margaret McIntyre. Her father was a gardener and sold his produce in the public market of Glasgow. His daughter went into the wholesale vegetable trade for ten years. In 1863 she married James Smith (1839 - 1884) who was in the grain and hay business, continuing until 1881 when they came to Valley City, North Dakota, with seven children.

Mr. Smith purchased 160 acres adjoining Valley City where they built a large house so difficult to heat that they moved to another house in town. They opened a market specializing in fine meats and dairy products. Mr. Smith died in 1884. Mrs. Smith and her sons continued to operate the market and the farm. In 1886 Mrs. Margaret McIntyre Smith married Mr. Alexander Cummings who died in 1888. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith are: W. W. Smith (1864-1927) married Margaret Ridgway - one child - Ridgway. Mr. Smith was interested in real estate, a meat market and insurance. He served as postmaster and as Mayor of Valley City. He had a fine tenor voice and was active in music and drama. James (1871) went to Alaska where he died. Robert left for California and served in the Merchant Marines. Thomas a city and county engineer married Carrie Thompson and lived in Montana. Mark (1873 - 1956) married Alice Withington in 1915. She died in 1943. Mark operated a feed store and built the Smith Building which housed the Paint and Glass Company and warehouse. Jean married John Albers and lived in Oregon.

Mary (1870-1950) a school teacher for several years before her marriage to Otto Zetterberg, son of Gustof and Natalia (Riberg) Zetterberg, who came from Sweden to a farm in Barnes County. Mr. Zetterberg operated a lumber yard in partnership with his brother Emil. He was a contractor and formed the Union Loan and Trust Company to help finance his building projects. Mr. Zetterberg died in 1915; his wife carried on with his business enterprises. Two daughters were born to the Zetterbergs:

  1. Jean Mrs. Sam Hill. They have six children: Hibbert Winslow, Nicholas Thomas, Mary McIntyre, Mark Aiken, Jean Ridgway, Margaret Winslow.

  2. Harriet married Daniel Margolis. They have two children: David and Mary Jean Margolies.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 52