CUMBERWORTH, GEORGE H. - Many representative men of Sangamon County, after being engaged in a number of other undertakings, return to the cultivation of the soil, believing that in nothing else can they obtain such satisfactory results from their investments of time and money. One of the progressive farmers of Capital Township is George H. Cumberworth, born twelve miles from Sheffield, in Derbyshire, England, October 17, 1859, a son of Henry and Caroline (Hawkins) Cumberworth, both natives of England. Henry Cumberworth was a miner, who followed his calling in his native land until he left for America in 1866, sailing from Liverpool and landing in New York. From that city he came direct to Springfield, where he found employment with the Wabash Railroad Company, but after a year with that company commenced farming. For four years he farmed but then began mining, and is still in that line of work, although now seventy-eight years old. His home is in Gardner Township. He had the misfortune to lose his wife, June 3, 1895. Their family of three children are all living: George H.; Joseph, a farmer of Capital Township, and Mrs. Anna Cummins, of Gardner Township.

The education of George H. Cumberworth was obtained in a ward school in Springfield. He came to America a year after his father. After leaving school his first work was on his father's farm, but later he went into the mines, and continued in them until he was thirty-two years of age. At that time he embarked in a moving and transfer business in Springfield but after continuing it a quarter of a century, sold out, and in 1902 bought his present farm in Capital Township.

The marriage of Mr. Cumberworth occurred in Springfield, October 18, 1893, to Mary Davis, born in Illinois, January 6, 1856. Her father was a farmer, but is now deceased, as is the mother. Mr. and Mrs. Cumberworth are the parents of two children, Earl and Clara, both of whom are at home. The Methodist Church holds Mr. Cumberworth's membership. He has voted the Democratic ticket since attaining his majority, but does not seek public office. Fraternally he belongs to the Royal Americans. He is one of the progressive men of his township, thoroughly abreast of the times, and understands and appreciates the immense possibilities of agriculture.