BIO: Robert 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, page 195.
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  ROBERT CUNNINGHAM, deceased, of Alexandria, Huntingdon county, Pa., 
was born September 10, 1809, in Porter township, Huntingdon county. His 
parents were Jeremiah and Elinore (Bowers) Cunningham. Jeremiah 
Cunningham, a native of Ireland, came to America in his youth, settled 
in Porter township, and was married there. His first wife was Miss 
Spencer; their children were: Nancy (Mrs. George Wilson), Alexandria, 
Pa.; and David, married Minnie Foster. Miss Bowers became the second 
wife of Mr. Cunningham; their children are as follows: Mary (Mrs. John 
Robb); Robert; Margaret (Mrs. William Robb); Hugh, married Mary Tussey. 
Jeremiah Cunningham died on the homestead in Porter township.
  Robert Cunningham received his education in subscription schools. He 
learned the business of agriculture practically on the home farm, and 
devoted his life to that honorable and most useful pursuit. He was 
married in Alexandria, January 23, 1842, to Sarah, daughter of James 
and Deborah (Scott) Maguire. For some years after their marriage, Mr. 
and Mrs. Cunningham resided on the farm now owned by George Sprankle; 
they then removed to the place where Mrs. Cunningham still lives. Mr. 
Cunningham was a Democrat, but while decided in his own opinions, was 
liberal towards those of others. He took an active interest in the 
affairs of the community, and his services were sought and appreciated 
by his fellow citizens. He served in various offices, among which was 
that of school director, which he held for many terms. He was a 
Presbyterian, adhering firmly and intelligently to the Westminster 
Confession, and loyally serving his church in her enterprises. He was 
known as a man of sterling integrity, of kind disposition and genial 
manner. His death occurred December 10, 1884; he is interred in 
Alexandria.
  Mrs. Sarah (Maguire) Cunningham was born January 29, 1820, on her 
father's farm in Porter township. Her father, James Maguire, who was of 
Scotch parentage, came to this country from Ireland when he was twelve 
years old, on the same vessel with the father of Robert Cunningham. He 
was attacked by smallpox on the voyage, and had the disease in so 
serious a form as to be blinded; but happily he recovered before 
leaving the vessel. He settled on a farm in Porter township, and there 
died, October 9, 1838. He also was a member of the Presbyterian 
communion. His daughter, Sarah, was in her early girlhood at the time 
of his death. The widowed mother and her young family removed to 
Alexandria, where Sarah attended the subscription and the public 
schools. She resided at home until her marriage.
  The children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cunningham are: Jennie (Mrs. 
Morrow Tussey), Arch Springs, Blair county, Pa., has two sons and two 
daughters; Louise, at home; William Ross, farmer, Yellow Springs, Blair 
county, married Emma Knode, and has four sons; Howard and John Scott, 
twins, the former residing in Porter township, married Fannie Metz, and 
has two children, and the latter at home; Annie (Mrs. John Lowder), 
Morris township, Huntingdon county; Robert, of La Moure, N. D., was 
formerly in mercantile business, and is now a bank officer; and Fanny 
D., resides at home.