The name of Cunningham has long been an honored one in Clay county,
Illinois, where for several generations have lived most worthy
representatives of the family, who were, and are, always to be found
associated with every movement which promised an addition to the community's
wealth and material advancement. Especially is this true of the late John M.
Cunningham, for many years a valued and honored citizen of Flora, and his
son, Charles S., the prominent business man and present head of the city
government. The family is of Scotch origin and descends from an old and
honored one of Virginia, where was born Benjamin F. Cunningham, who, when a
young man, made his way westward and settled in Clay county, becoming one of
its earliest pioneers. He first located in the southern part of the county
along Cottonwood creek and there engaged in the milling industry. His
equipment was crude and his labor arduous, but by sturdy industry he
succeeded. Later he came to Flora and engaged in the banking business under
the firm name of the Cunningham and Harter Savings Bank. It was one of the
pioneer institutions of the locality. This business he conducted with much
ability until within a year of his death, which occurred in 1876. He
possessed many rare and excellent traits of character, and abounding
industry and was much honored and esteemed. Among his children was John M.
John Minor Cunningham was born near Flora, March 24, 1844, and was there
reared and grew to manhood. He acquired such an education as the community
afforded which was broadened in later life by reading, association, contact
and native intelligence. He was associated with his father for some time in
various enterprises, finally embarking in the jewelry business, which he
conducted profitably for many years. He was directly and indirectly
connected with various other enterprises, ever putting his shoulder to the
wheel of progress, and was deeply interested in the growth and advancement
of his native county, and in all that pertained to its welfare.
Mr.
Cunningham first married on January 1, 1866, Jennie E. Hawkins, whose early
death occurred on September 24, 1874. To this union three children were
born, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are Charles S., and Clyde
L., the latter a resident of Julesburg, Colorado. The mother of these, whose
death was sincerely mourned, was of Scotch ancestry, her mother and
grandmother having emigrated from Scotland.
On February 3, 1876, Mr.
Cunningham again married, the lady being Mary Elizabeth Finch, a direct
descendant of Sir Heneage Finch, who was born in Kent, England, in 1621, and
whose eldest son, Heneage, was first Earl of Nottingham and was Lord
Chancellor of England. Mrs. Cunningham was born September 25, 1854, and was
the first white child born in Flora. To this marriage there came children as
follows: Fremont, who died in infancy; Nelle, born September 29, 1875, and
married Jerry J. Bowman, October 22, 1902, and Max F., born April 14, 1883.
Mr. Cunningham was a member of Flora Lodge No. 204, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, Order of the Eastern Star No. 105, Royal Arch Chapter No.
154, and of Grand Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar. He was much attached
to these orders and highly prized the associations there enjoyed. He
attended the Knights Templar conclaves at Boston, Louisville and Denver. At
his death the funeral auspices were conducted by Gorin Commandery No. 14, of
Olney. He and his wife were for many years regular attendants and liberal
contributors of the First Presbyterian church of Flora and of whose board of
trustees he was an honored member. At the death of Mr. Cunningham, which
occurred suddenly and unexpectedly March 13, 1906, fitting and appropriate
resolutions were adopted by the various commercial, religious and fraternal
units with which he was connected, and from these we quote the following:
"From among us there has been taken a loving husband, a kind and indulgent
father, a faithful friend, a genial companion, a successful business man and
honored citizen and one whose place can not be filled."
At a special
meeting of the directors of the Flora National Bank, of which he was a
director from January 1893, to his death, suitable resolutions were drawn
and spread upon the minutes. In part these resolutions said: "His counsels
were always wise and at all meetings he took a prominent part. We feel our
great loss and will miss the sound advice which he was ever ready and
competent to give, and his good judgment in all matters pertaining to the
bank." Resolutions of like character were adopted by the Masonic and other
bodies.
Of Mr. Cunningham an old friend has written: "A grand life
indeed was that of John Minor Cunningham, a life set to the Golden Rule, to
kind acts and ways, helpful at needed times, a friend to his fellowman,
assisting, if it were a loss to him, aiding, if the sacrifice fell on him,
and in an active business career covering many years he was ever fair and
just in his dealings. He was associated with Flora from its infant state,
aided in its growth, assisted in the introduction of its schools, churches
and public in, situations. He was foremost in establishing business in
Flora, cooperating with the best interests of the city and its rural
districts, daring and bold in the advocacy of social order, sober living,
good government and fair and honest transactions of business."
Charles S. Cunningham, son of John M., was born in Flora, March 27, 1870,
and, like his father, has lived there all of his life. He attended the
public schools, afterwards entering the jewelry store of his father. He long
ago mastered every detail of the business and conducts perhaps the leading
establishment in that line of trade in Southern Illinois.
Mr.
Cunningham married in 1890, Eva L., daughter of John Jackson, of Allegan,
Michigan. To this union two sons have been born, Rexford J., and Charles J.
He has figured somewhat conspicuously in the political affairs of Flora and
was first elected City Treasurer, in which capacity he served two years; he
was then Alderman for two years and in the spring of 1907 he was elected
Mayor of Flora and has given the city an economical, efficient and
thoroughly moral administration, taking the same care and interest in public
affairs as he does in those of purely personal nature. Mr. Cunningham, it
may be here stated, has not sought for or accepted office because of the
honor that might be attached thereto, but has been actuated solely by a
desire to lend the best efforts that is in him toward the maintenance of law
and order and the growth and advancement of the city and its commercial,
moral and material worth. He has been especially vigorous in the enforcement
of local option laws and is earnestly advocating a system of water and other
municipal advantages. Aside from his official duties and his personal
affairs, Mr. Cunningham is also prominently connected with various other
enterprises, being a director and vice-president of the First National Bank
of Flora, a director of the Breese Trenton Coal and Mining Company and of
the Friend Telephone company of Flora. He is a Republican in politics;
fraternally he is a member of the Flora Lodge No. 204, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Ben Hur lodge. He is
a member of the Illinois State Historical Society of Springfield, and both
he and Mrs. Cunningham are members of the Methodist church of Flora. Mr.
Cunningham appears entirely capable of emulating the example of his worthy
progenitors and is closely following in their footsteps. He possesses an
unblemished character, a strict integrity, an intelligent appreciation of
his responsibilities and a faculty of accomplishment. He fully realizes that
these traits of character have described through the blood of his ancestry
and to whatever heights he may be destined to ascend, his most valued
possession, his greatest pride shall ever be that priceless heritage of his
forefathers - an honored name.
Extracted 27 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay & Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 235-237.
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