BIO: David S. CUNNINGHAM, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 149-150.
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  DAVID S. CUNNINGHAM, Ennisville, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Barree township, Huntingdon county, March 7, 1828, son of Richard and 
Sarah (Johnson) Cunningham. His grandfather, John Cunningham, was of 
Scotch parentage, but was a native of this county. He had farmed in 
Mifflin county, Pa., and before he purchased his land in Huntingdon, 
which comprised a farm of 300 acres in Miller township, then a part of 
Barree, besides a tract of 800 acres on Warriors Ridge. On these 
properties he made various improvements, and was a farmer and stockman 
on an extensive scale. His wife Esther Robinson, was, like himself, of 
Scotch origin. Their children are: Elizabeth; Sarah; William, residing 
in the southern part of Huntingdon county; Robinson, married Miss 
McCauley, and has a son, John, a resident of Logan township; Nancy; 
John, residing in one of the southern townships of the county; Richard; 
and Josiah, married Anna Moore, and was formerly a merchant in 
Huntingdon. John Cunningham died on the homestead, in Barree township, 
and his wife in the same place. They were Presbyterians. Mr. Cunningham 
adhered to the Democratic party.
  Richard Cunningham devoted his attention exclusively to farming and 
to raising and dealing in live stock. He farmed for thirty years in 
Barree and Jackson townships. In the latter township he owned and 
cultivated 200 acres, on which he erected a dwelling and other 
necessary and convenient buildings. He had a high reputation as a judge 
and breeder of horses, as well as of cattle. He belonged to the old 
line Whig, and later to the Republican party.
  Richard Cunningham was married in Barree township, to Sarah Johnston, 
a native of that township. Their children are: David S.; Mary, widow of 
John Gregory, of West township; Margaret, widow of Thompson Martin, of 
Iowa; Sarah Jane, wife of Lewis Kingsbury; Elizabeth, widow of Samuel 
Neff, of Porter township; James, deceased; Samuel, deceased; Penninah, 
deceased; and three who died in infancy. Some time before his death, 
which occurred in 1879, Mr. Cunningham relinquished active business. He 
passed his last years in retirement, at Ennisville, where his wife also 
died in 1881. they were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and 
were valued in the church and the community.
  David S. Cunningham attended the subscription and public schools of 
Jackson township. From the time when he was nine years old he was 
employed in the cultivation of the home farm, which has been his life 
work. At the time of his marriage he took entire charge of the 
homestead, but he owns much more land that he received from his father. 
The original tract was 200 acres, but Mr. Cunningham owns and has under 
cultivation 1,100 acres. He was formerly part owner of a flour mill at 
Cumminsville. He has a great deal of land in timber. Most of his farms 
are rented. Mr. Cunningham has built two new barns, three new buildings 
and other structures. He is besides interested in raising and dealing 
in stock. His success in business is the just due of unflagging 
industry, and of a progressive spirit held in proper check by caution 
and sound judgment. Mr. Cunningham is a Republican. He served one term 
in the school board of his township.
  The marriage of David S. Cunningham to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas 
Miller, farmer of Miller township, Huntingdon county, took place in 
that township in 1865. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are: 
Sarah (Mrs. Thomas McMahon), of Barree township; Alice, deceased; 
Bessie, deceased; John M.; David F., at home; and twin children who 
died in infancy. The elder son, John B. Cunningham, was born in August, 
1871; he attended school in Jackson township, and was afterwards a 
pupil in the Stone Valley Academy. He is a farmer, and cultivates the 
homestead farm. He was married, January 17, 1894, to Rhoda, daughter of 
Hugh Jackson, of Barree township. She was born in Jackson township. 
They have a daughter, Helen, born in 1895. Mrs. David S. Cunningham, 
the faithful companion and helper of her husband for many years, died 
of diphtheria in January, 1880. The family are connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal church; as a child Mr. Cunningham attended its 
services, and was a pupil in its Sunday-school, and he has not wavered 
in his attachment to the church throughout a long life.