MILTON J. CUNNINGHAM, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by: Gaytha Carver Thompson
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890



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MILTON J. CUNNINGHAM

Hon. Milton J. Cunningham, attorney at law.  In giving a history of
Natchitoches Parish, La., the name of Mr. Cunningham deserves honorable
mention, for he has always been industrious and public spirited, and has ever
aided enterprises which tend to the interests of his section.  Although just
in the prime of life, he has made his way to the front ranks among the
energetic attorneys of this parish, and, owing to the attention he has always
paid to each minor detail of his work, and to his able management of all cases
which have come under his care, he has won a wide reputation as an able,
talented lawyer.

He was born in what is now De Soto Parish, La., March 10, 1842, to J. H. and
Ann (Buie) Cunningham, who were born in South Carolina and Mississippi in 1810
and 1812 and died in Natchitoches Parish, La., and Homer, La., in 1886 and
1850, respectively.  The father was a lawyer and physician, and for a period
of twenty six years he was a member of the Natchitoches bar, being
exceptionally able and talented.

Hon. Milton J. Cunningham is one of twelve children born to his father's first
marriage, of which family five are now living.  He was educated in the schools
of Homer, and in 1858 began teaching the young idea, a calling he continued to
follow until 1860, when he entered the law office belonging to his father,
where he remained a student of law until 1861.  The opening of the Rebellion
caused him to case aside his books to enter the Confederate service, becoming
a faithful soldier until the close of the war, in the Second Louisiana
Infantry.  He resumed the study of law after his return home, and attended a
course of lectures, being admitted to the bar in January, 1866, after which he
began practicing in Natchitoches, and here and in the city of New Orleans he
has followed his calling ever since, being one of the leading lawyers of the
State.  He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and in 1872 was elected district
attorney, but was counted out by the Republicans.  In 1875 he was appointed
district attorney of the Seventeenth Judicial District, and served about ten
months, making an efficient official.  In 1878 he was elected a member of the
Louisiana General Assembly, and the following year a member of the
constitutional convention.  In 1879 he was elected to the State Senate for a
term of four years, and while a member of that body made a faithful and able
legislator.  In 1884 he was elected attorney general, and served with
distinction for four years.  Since 1888 he has devoted his time and attention
to his practice, and besides his office here, also had one in New Orleans.  He
has occupied the front rank in his profession for almost a quarter of a
century, and by his long practice and study his position is so well
established that it is conceded by competent judges that he ranks among the
highest civilians.  His success at the bar has been attained rather by the
force of native talent and culture than by tact.  Close and attentive to
business, abstemious in all his habits, laborious in research, he has never
permitted the interests of his clients to suffer, and as he always thoroughly
prepares his cases, he is rarely taken by sunrise.  Clients rely implicitly on
his work, as well they may, and he fully deserves the reputation he has
obtained among the attorneys of the South.

He was married in 1866 to Miss Thalia Tharp, who died in 1872, leaving three
children; Milton J., Jr., John H. and William T.  In 1874 he was married to
Miss Anna Peyton, of New Orleans, who died in 1878, having borne two children;
Ida G. and Milton C.  Mr. Cunningham's third marriage took place in 1880, his
wife being Miss Cecile Hertzog, of Natchitoches, who died in 1886, a family of
four children having been born to her union with Mr. Cunningham; Sidney, Ivy,
Charlotte and Laura.