CUNNINGHAM BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri
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CUNNINGHAM, J. O. - b: 1864 McLean Co, IL
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 764
residence: Bogard Twp

J. O. Cunningham, owner and proprietor of the "Valley Farm," is one of the 
extensive farmers and stockmen of Henry County. Mr. Cunningham is a native of 
Illinois. He was born in McLean County November 30, 1864, a son of J. W. and 
Rachel Elvina (Shaw) Cunningham. The father was a Union veteran of the Civil War 
and now resides in Iroquois County, Illinois. The mother died in October, 1917. 
They were the parents of the following children: J. O. Cunningham, the subject of 
this sketch; Emery, Sikeston, Missouri; John S., Iroquois County, Illinois; Eva May, 
married Clarence Hollister, Sikeston, Missouri; Elma, married John Whitlaw, 
Hastings, Nebraska. J. O. Cunningham was reared in Illinois and educated in the 
public schools and Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois. He engaged in farming in 
early life in his native State and followed that occupation there until 1901, when 
he came to Henry County, Missouri, and bought one hundred sixty acres of land in 
Bogard township. He improved this place and added eighty acres to his original 
purchase. He also owns a farm of two hundred acres near Blairstown. He built a 
fine residence on the home place in 1912. It is a two story, modern residence 
with sixteen rooms and is equipped with hot and cold water and modern heating 
and lighting systems. The barns and other buildings on the place are in thorough 
keeping with the residence. Mr. Cunningham is one of the successful stockmen of 
the county. He is well known as an extensive breeder of registered Poland China 
hogs. He raises as many as one hundred head of these hogs annually, all of which 
are eligible to registration. He also raises high grade cattle. The "Valley Farm" is 
well adapted to general farming purposes as well as being one of the ideal stock 
farms of the county. To supply the place with water Mr. Cunningham has drilled a 
well three hundred feet deep, which furnishes an inexhaustible supply of water 
for the place. February 17, 1896, J. O. Cunningham was united in marriage with 
Miss May Center, daughter of H. C. and Hattie (Hall) Center of Watseka, Illinois. 
Mrs. Cunningham's mother died February 14, 1914, and the father died March 9, 
1918. To Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have been born two children: Dewey C., a 
graduate of the Blairstown High School, and Eleanor Rachel, who married Paul H. 
Allen, of Urich, Missouri, May 8, 1918. Mr. Cunningham takes a deep interest in 
local public institutions and has been especially active in the betterment of the 
public schools. He was one of the strong supporters for the Blairstown High 
School district, which is one of the best schools of the county. He is now serving 
his second term as secretary of the consolidated school district, number two. For 
six years he was president of the township board, and during that time much 
excellent road work was done, many concrete culverts being constructed and 
other road improvements made. He is one of Henry County's progressive citizens 
who stands ever ready to support any worthy public enterprise. 

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