BIOS: Elias CUNNINGHAM, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of 
Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review 
Publishing Company: 1899, pp 242-243.

  Elias Cunningham, lumber manufacturer and dealer of Somerset, Pa., was born in 
this town on July 28, 1836.  A son of Jacob Cunningham, he is the descendant of 
an early settled family of Somerset County.  His paternal grandfather was 
Frederick Cunningham, an industrious and thrifty farmer, who spent his long life 
of ninety years in this locality.  Frederick Cunningham was twice married, and 
by his first wife had two children, a son Jacob and a daughter, both of whom 
have passed from earth.
  Jacob Cunningham was born in Somerset County in 1801.  He learned the trade of 
a tanner in his younger days, and followed that occupation in Somerset during 
his active years.  He, too, lived to an advanced age, dying when eighty-three 
years old, in the spring of 1884.  He took an intelligent interest in political 
matters, and for a while affiliated with the Democrats, but afterward became a 
strong supporter of the Republican party.  Both he and his wife were consistent 
members of the Lutheran church.  Her maiden name was Elizabeth Gilbert.  She was 
born in Shippensburg, Pa., and in 1801, a daughter of Henry Gilbert, and died in 
Somerset in the spring of 1877.
  Jacob and Elizabeth Cunningham had nine children, seven of whom are now 
living; namely, Frank, Margaret, Mary Elias, Herman G., Jane and George.  
Margaret is the widow of the late C. L. Snyder, and has four children- James, 
Annie, Grace, and Charles.  Mary is the widow of David Knable, late of Somerset.  
Herman G., who married Elizabeth Sherman of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, has 
two children- Nora and Minnie.  Jane is the widow of the late James Pugh, and 
has five children- Edward, Robert, Jacob, Charles, and Grace.  George, who 
married Jane Clark, of this county, has two children- Nanny and Claude.  Herman 
G. Cunningham, the third son, enlisted during the Civil War as a private in the 
Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Reserves, which was at the front in several hotly 
contested engagements.  At the battle of Fredericksburg he was severely wounded, 
and subsequently received his honorable discharge from the army.  On returning 
to Somerset, he was appointed Deputy Provost Marshal, an office which he held 
until the close of the conflict.  He is an active member of the R. P. Cummings 
Post, No. 210, G.A.R., of Somerset.
  Elias Cunningham obtained his early education in the public schools of this 
town; and, having a strong desire to enter the legal profession, he soon 
afterward began the study of law in the office of General A. H. Coffroth, with 
whom he studied until his admission to the bar in 1859.  Forming then a 
partnership with the General, his former instructor, he was actively engaged in 
the practice of his profession until 1861, when he was appointed to the revenue 
service as an Assessor.  Later he was made Deputy Collector in the same 
government department, and faithfully fulfilled the responsible duties of that 
office until 1883.  In 1884 Mr. Cunningham purchased a planing [sic] mill, which 
he has since operated successfully.  He has here built up an extensive and 
lucrative business as a lumber dealer and manufacturer, and is known throughout 
the community as an enterprising and progressive citizen.
  Politically, he is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican 
party; and, in addition to having served a number of years as School Director, 
he was at one time in the Town Council.  Fraternally, he is an influential 
member of the Masonic order, belonging to Somerset Lodge, No. 358, F. & A. M., 
in which he has passed all the chairs.
  In 1860 Mr. Cunningham married Louise M. Huston, daughter of Samuel Huston, of 
this town.  Six children have been born of their union, and four of them are now 
living, namely: May, widow of Dr. James Beisecker, late of Somerset, and mother 
of one child, Elizabeth; Frank F., who married Grace Heffley; Nellie; and John.  
Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are valued members of the Disciples church.