Bio: W. N. Cunningham, D. D. S., Desoto Parish Louisiana
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890
Submitted by Gaytha Carver Thompson




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W. N.Cunningham, D. D. S., has practiced the profession of dentistry since 
1860, and it can be truly said that there is no more popular, competent or
skillful dentist in this section of the country.  He is a native of Pike
County Miss, his birth occurring on May 12  1836, and is a son of James F. and
Nancy (Ellzey), who were born in the Old North and Palmetto States,
respectively.   The father removed with his parents to Tennessee and about
1880 to Mississippi.  In the year 1842 he came to Louisiana from Texas, and
located in what is now De Soto Parish, where he has since devoted his
attention to  planting and other pursuits, his property being situated about
twelve miles from Mansfield.  He was twice married and the of this sketch is
the only survivor of his mothers children.  

He came to Mansfield in 1844, is now the eldest male resident of the place,
hat time there were no houses here, except the old court-house, the town
having been organ 1843.  He attended the common schools acquiring a good
practical education, and in 1857 began the study of dentistry, graduating from
of college dentistry in Baltimore, Md., in 1860.  In April of the following
year he enlisted Company D, of the Second Louisiana Regiment Rifles, which was
the first company that left Soto Parish, and he was subsequently  promoted to
the rank of lieutenant and still later was commissioned captain.  He was
wounded at the second battle of Manassas by a minie ball passing through the
left leg just above the ankle.  After recovering from this wound he was
transferred to the Conscription Department and was ordered to Sabine Parish,
where he served over a year as enrolling officer.  

After the surrender he returned to Mansfield, resumed the practice of his
profession and has resided here ever since, building up a widespread
reputation as a capable and painstaking dentist.  He has succeeded in
accumulating a considerable amount of this world's goods, and besides owning
his home in Mansfield he has considerable land heavily covered with timber.

He was first married in 1868 to Miss Julia D. Holman, by whom he had two
children: Julia and Margaret.  His next marriage took place in 1882, his wife
being Mrs. H. P. McDonald, who has borne him one child, Susie B.  The Doctor
is a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South.