David H. Cummings was the son of Shadrick Cummings. He had 15 siblings. David was born in the Brushy Valley community of present day Bienville Parish, LA. He married Celia Franks. They had eight children together.

David H. Cummings was a blacksmith and a farmer. He served as a Private in the 28th (Grays) Louisiana Infantry in the War of Northern Aggression and later made coffins.

After Celia passed away, David married Elizabeth Jane Warren Hartley on October 8, 1887. They had three children together and David died January 13, 1916 and was buried in the Taylor Cemetery at Liberty Hill along with both of his wives.