JOHN CUNNINGHAM, Tippecanoe Township
The parents of this gentleman were of Irish extraction, although natives
of the United States. His father JOHN
CUNNINGHAM, married SARAH McKINLEY and settled in Clermont County, Ohio,
removing from that point to
Dearborn County, Ind., April 1, 1826. He remained a citizen of the
latter county until 1831, at which time he came to
Tippecanoe County, and became identified with the early settlement of
Washington Township. Almost penniless, and with a
family of nine children to support, his burden was almost intolerable.
After clearing a small patch of ground, he contrived to
sustain his family upon its scanty products.
A few years earlier, the construction of the Wabash & Erie Canal offered
him relief from his embarrassed position. He became
a contractor in the construction of this canal, and, with the money thus
procured, fitted out a flat-boat, which he loaded with
produce, floating by way of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers to Southern
ports, where he disposed of his cargo at a handsome
profit. This he repeated many times, returning from each trip with
increased capital.
He wisely invested his means in land, which increased rapidly in value.
Thus at the time of his death in 1858, he left to his family
an estate valued at $50,000. He was one who always commanded respect,
and wielded an influence for good over all his
surroundings. He was the first Justice of the Peace elected in
Washington Township, and continued to act in that capacity for a
period of ten years.
His son JOHN, for whom this sketch is prepared, was born at Aurora,
Dearborn Co., Ind., April 1, 1826, and in the year
1831, came with his parents to Tippecanoe County. His early educational
privileges were associated with a rude log school
house near Americus, with puncheon floor and seats of the same material;
a log having been removed nearly the entire length of
the structure, over which greased paper was pasted, to admit the light.
The instruction here imparted was in keeping with the
character of the building; the course of study being limited to a
knowledge of reading, writing and "ciphering." This school was
only open for a short time in the Winter, and the benfits derived
therefrom were not very apparent, as the teachers were not
highly educated, and, therefore, unable to impart an education of a high
order. To this school, however, the subject of our
sketch was indebted for all the education of his childhood. By diligent
study in later years, he acquired an education, which,
although not complete, has enabled him to engage successfully in the
duties of an active life. The remainder of his education
was in the practical science of farming, which he has followed with
great success.
At the age of 23 years, he married Miss SALOME BEMENDERFER, on the 25
day of October 1849. Immediately after his
marriage, he settled on the Wea Plain, where he remained for one year,
subsequently removing to White County, Ind. After a
residence of one year at that point, he returned to Tippecanoe County,
and located upon the farm which he now occupies.
Here he has reared a family of four children, named respectively: MARY
ELLEN, born November 27, 1851; JOHN
RANDOLPH, February 8, 1854; DOUGLAS ANDREW, March 15, 1856, and EMMA
SARAH, July 24, 1858; all of
whom ar still living, having arrived at maturity. Until January, 1878,
the happiness of the family circle remained unbroken; but
on the 29th day of that month the faithful wife and mother was removed
from earth by the hand of death. The children still
reside on the homestead with the bereaved father.
Since boyhood, Mr. CUNNINGHAM has been engaged in the pursuit of
farming, which has been varied, however, by some
trading experiences. In 1855, associated with Dr. GARRET, he built a
flat boat at Americus, entering the Wabash River at that
point. This they loaded with corn for the port of New Orleans.
Floating down by way of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, they
reached their destination after a journey of more than two months,
disposing of their carog and realizing a handsome profit ont
their investment.
His limited educational privileges have made him keenly sensible tot he
importance of public schools, and he has ever been
regarded as the substantial friend of such institutions. He is an
acknowledged leader in public improvements, and, from hislong
experience as a pioneer, realizing their value to the agriculturalist,
has used both time and means for the furtherance of
enterprises having that end in view. He was the first to advocate a
bridge across Tippecanoe River, and it was mainly through
his instrumentality that the handsome wrought iron bridge was
constructed across that stream, thus uniting a section hitherto
isolated, and proving an institution of incalculable benefit. He is an
active worker in the Democratic party, and, although a
zealous partisan, has invariable discountenanced any attempt to
substitute policy for principle. He is an enemy of fraud and
corruption, and never fails to lend a helping hand for its suppression,
when in his power to do so.
Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 43
Kingman Brothers, 1878