BIO:  James CUNNINGHAM, Highland Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 453

JAMES CUNNINGHAM, merchant, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Adams County, Penn., 
January 9, 1847, and is of Scotch-Irish descent.  His parents, John and Margaret 
R. (Scott) Cunningham, are both natives of this county.  His father followed 
farming until 1884, when he engaged in mercantile business at Fairfield, which 
still occupies his attention.  James was reared on a farm until eighteen years 
of age, when he engaged as a clerk in Shippensburg for six months; was then 
employed for three years by Fonstock Bros., of Gettysburg.  He then formed a 
partnership and entered into business at that place.  The firm was known as 
Cobean & Cunningham, and they dealt in boots, shoes, clothing, hats, etc., 
continuing for two years.  In the spring of 1869 our subject commenced farming 
in Freedom Township, and was thus engaged until 1881, when he moved to 
Fairfield, where he engaged in mercantile business until the spring of 1884; 
then sold out to his father and returned to the farm, where he remained until 
1886.  In that year he again entered mercantile business, on Marsh Creek, better 
known as Glenwood.  He keeps a general stock of groceries, dry goods, hardware, 
boots and shoes, etc.  He owns about eight acres of land adjoining his 
residence.  March 17, 1874, Mr. Cunningham married Elizabeth F. Blythe, and five 
children were born to this union, four now living:  Robert R. B., Bessie, Mary 
and Janet.  Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are members of the Presbyterian Church.