Lawrence County PA Archives Obituaries.....Cunningham, James W. April 2, 1909
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Gloria Calhoun ggnky@worldnet.att.net January 24, 2024, 3:34 pm

New Castle News, April 2, 1909
James W. CUNNINGHAM, ex-county treasurer, and one of 
the most substantial and highly esteemed residents of 
Lawrence county, passed away Friday morning at his home at 
Locust Ridge, Wayne township, after a long period of 
suffering.  Although he had been in a serious condition for 
the past week or ten days, and his death had been almost 
momentarily expected for the past day or two, the news of 
his demise will be a shock and a cause of deep grief to his 
hundreds of friends in the county and city, especially for 
he was one of the most widely known men in this section.
     Mr. Cunningham's health began to fail last fall, and 
before Christmas he was taken to the Mercer sanitarium where 
he remained for a number of weeks.  For a time he seemed to 
improve, but later grew much worse, and specialists were 
called in.  The physicians, however, were unable to do 
anything towards a permanent cure and realizing that he 
would not be contented away from his home, he was removed 
from the sanitarium and taken to his home at Locust Ridge.  
His last days were brightened by the loving attendance of 
his wife and his only son and daughter, who were constantly 
with him.  At midnight Wednesday he sank into 
unconsciousness and passed away at 8 o'clock Friday morning. 
 Mr. Cunningham had realized his serious condition for some 
time past, and had often spoken during his last illness of 
his pleasure and comfort in having his children with him.
     James W. Cunningham was the son of the Hon. Joseph and 
Jeannette C. Cunningham, pioneers of the county.  His father 
settled at the old homestead on Locust Ridge in 1848, and 
was elected to the position of associate judge in 1861.
     The son, James W., was born in 1840, on a part of the 
same farm on which he died.  He received his early education 
in the public schools, and later attended the Mahoning 
academy at Canfield, O.  It was while he was at Canfield 
that he enlisted in the army.  He served at two different 
periods, being for a time with an Ohio regiment, and later 
with the 65th Pennsylvania, and earning for himself the name 
of a brave soldier and a comrade of sterling worth.
     He was married November 12, 1863, to Angeline MYERS, 
the marriage taking place at her home in Shenango township.  
For a time they resided in Shenango township, and Mr. 
Cunningham was then engaged in buying stock, which he drove 
through to Pittsburg.  Later, they came to this city and 
resided for some years on Pearson street.  From here they 
went to Mississippi, where Mr. Cunningham became overseer of 
a cotton plantation. In the south the health of both Mr. 
Cunningham and his wife became impaired and they removed to 
Wampolo, Ia., where they remained four years, and at the 
expiration of that time they came back to this county and 
purchased a farm on part of the present Ellwood City.  After 
living there a number of years they built their present home 
at Locust Ridge, in which they had lived for the past 25 
years.
     In politics he was a Republican, and had always taken a 
keen interest in the policitical world, both national and 
local.  In 1893 he ran for the office of associate judge in 
this county and although there were four or five other 
candidates, Mr. Cunningham recieved every vote cast in his 
township.
     The year following he was elected county treasurer, and 
filled this office with efficiency during the years 1894, 
'95, and '96.  During this time the family lived on 
Neshannock avenue, this city.
     Mr. Cunningham occupied a high position in the esteem 
of the people of the county and vicinity.  For ten years he 
served as school director and for the same period was 
Justice of the peace.  He was member of the Odd Fellows 
lodge at Wampum, and of the G.A.R. and had been for many 
years a member of the Slippery Rock Presbyterian church.  
For two years he served as superintendent of the Sunday 
school of the church.
     He was one of a family of nine children, four of whom, 
two brothers and two sisters survive.  Two of his brothers, 
Scott and Critchlow, were killed in the Civil War.  His 
other brothers who preceded him in death were Dr. John S. 
Cunningham of Youngstown, Lyle and Henderson.  A sister, 
Agnes, died some years ago.
     Mr. Cunningham was known far and wide for his 
big-hearted hospitality and generosity.  To meet him was to 
be impressed at once by his noble character.  With old and 
young alike, he was a genial favorite on account of his 
genial disposition.  He delighted in entertaining his 
friends in his comfortable home, and was never so happy as 
when playing the hospitable host.  He was a man of generous 
impulses, and charitable disposition, and his life had been 
filled with deeds of loving kindness.  He was always well 
read and even during the last days of his illness, took an 
interest in the affairs of the day.  His entire life had 
been to his associates a bright example of upright living.  
His death will be to hundreds of friends, business 
associates and neighbors a cause of the deepest sorrow.
     Mr. Cunningham is survived by his wife, Mrs. Angeline 
Cunningham, one son, Captain Joseph V. Cunningham of this 
city, and one daughter, Mrs. David M. MARSHALL of Wampum.  
Another son, Charles Cunningham, died three years ago last 
October. He leaves also two brothers, Judge William B. 
Cunningham of Chicago, and Philo M. Cunningham of Wayne 
township, as well as two sisters, Mrs. Eunice M. ALLEN of 
Kansas City, Kan. and Mrs. Mary RODGERS of Plaingrove.
     The funeral services will be held at the late home in 
Wayne township, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  The 
interment will be in the Slippery Rock Cemetery.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted Nov 1999.

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