Braxton County, West Virginia Biography of Don CUNNINGHAM This file was submitted by Valerie Crook, E-mail address: The submitter does not have a connection to the sketch subject. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 266 Braxton County DON CUNNINGHAM. Although one of the younger mem- bers of the Braxton County Bar Association, Don Cunning- ham has already proven his ability as a lawyer and worth as a man, and is enjoying a large and growing practice at Gassaway. He is a veteran of the World war, and his record as a soldier is characteristic of the man. He was born in Randolph County, West Virginia, June 17, 1895, a son of David S. and Minnie (Warner) Cunningham, born in 1858 and 1865, respectively. The paternal grandfather was Solomon F. Cunningham, and the family is of Scotch-Irish descent. David S. Cunningham was reared on a farm, and educated in the free and normal schools of West Virginia. During his younger years he was engaged in teaching school and held a first-grade certificate, but later on in life carried on an extensive business as a lumber merchant, and was a member of the lumberman's organization known as Hoo Hoos. In his political sentiments and actions he was a re- publican, and stanch in his party support. The Presbyte- rian Church held his membership. The following children were born to him and his wife: Guy, who is a graduate of the Keyser preparatory branch of West Virginia University, and is at home; Warren, who is auditor of the Central West Virginia & Southern Railroad; Margaret, the wife of Floyd Harris; Robert, a resident of Montrose, Randolph County, West Virginia; and Don, whose name heads this review. Don Cunningham was reared in Randolph and Tucker counties, and attended the public schools, the West Virginia Preparatory School at Keyser, West Virginia, and Wash- ington and Lee University, being graduated from the law department of the latter institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In 1917 Mr. Cunningham enlisted in his country's service as a private, rose through the ranks to second lieutenant, and was at Camp Lee as an instructor when the armistice was signed. Following his honorable discharge he was placed in the Officers' Reserve Corps of the United States army. Following his discharge Mr. Cunning- ham went to Elkins, West Virginia, and took the West Virginia bar examination, was admitted to the bar Septem- ber 30, 1919, for a short time was engaged in practice at Elkins, and in March, 1921, came to Gassaway, where he has since remained. Mr. Cunningham married, March 12, 1921, Miss Ida L. League, a graduate of the public schools and the Southern Seminary at Buena Vista, Virginia. She is a daughter of John S. and Grace B. (Woolford) Leagne, the former of whom is a jeweler of Gassaway. Mr. Cunningham belongs to Gassaway Lodge No. 196, K. of P., in which he is master of finance; and to the Loyal Order of Moose. Mrs. Cun- ningham is a member of the Pythian Sisters. She is an active worker in and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Cunningham is a liberal contributor. The republican party and ticket receives the strong support of the Cunninghams. Thoroughly abreast of the times, with excellent abilities, both natural and carefully trained, Mr. Cunningham brings to his practice and also to his civic responsibilities the enthusiasms of youth and the results of thoughtful preparation, and is rapidly advancing to a strong position among the legal practicioners of his native state.