Washington Co., AR - Biographies - James C. Cunningham

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James C. Cunningham. Among the honest and prosperous tillers of 
the soil of Prairie Grove. Washington Co., Ark., worthy of mention 
is Mr. Cunningham, who was born in Bedford County. Tenn., November 
29, 1841. His parents. M. T. and Nancy G. (McGill) Cunningham, 
were born, reared and married in Tennessee, and there spent their 
days. The father was a blacksmith, wagon-maker and miller by 
trade, and followed those occupations throughout life. James C. 
received a good education in the Flat Creek Academy, acquiring a 
thorough knowledge of the common and higher English branches and 
the higher mathematics. He remained with his father until eighteen 
years of age. and in the fall of 1859 came West to seek his 
fortune, locating in Washington County, Ark., where he has since 
made his home, with the exception of a few years. He raised a crop 
in 1860, and part of one in 1861, but the breaking out of the war 
interfered with his labors, and he enlisted in the Confederate 
army, in McCrea's regiment, for three months, at the end of which 
time he returned home. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Hart's 
battery of Arkansas troops for twelve months, but when it was 
reorganized, about three months later, he joined the Third Texas 
Cavalry, with which he remained until April, 1862. He was then 
detailed on detached duty for a short time, and afterward joined 
the Nineteenth Texas Infantry, serving with the same until the 
close of the war. In June, 1865, they were disbanded at Hempstead, 
Tex., and he remained in that [p.932] State until 1866, engaged in 
teaching school. After returning to Arkansas he was engaged in 
teaching the young idea for about one year, and then turned his 
attention to farming and stock raising, which occupation has 
received the most of his attention up to the present time. He 
rented land for some time, and in 1880 purchased his present 
valuable bottom land farm of 280 acres, 175 acres of which are 
under cultivation. He also owns 120 acres of land at Viney Grove, 
eighty acres of which are under cultivation. He was married in 
Washington County, January 24, 1867, to Miss Jennie Rollins, a 
native of the county, and daughter of Moses Rollins, deceased, and 
by her became the father of three daughters: Nancy N., Mary and 
Susie. The wife died in October, 1871, and in January, 1877, Mr. 
Cunningham married his second wife, Miss Fannie Shofner, a native 
of Bedford County, Tenn., and daughter of Newton K. Shofner. Four 
children have blessed this union: Newton, William, Tennie and 
Earl. Mrs. Cunningham is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church.