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 UDGE J. R. CUNNINGHAM, of Charleston, is descended from a family distinguished for intellect and character. He was born Sept. 19, 1831, in Litchfield, Grayson Co., Ky., and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Yates) Cunningham, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. John Cunningham was a man of prominence in the community where he resided. He was at one time Sheriff of Breckinridge County, and served one term as member of the State Legislature. He passed the greater part of his life engaged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits in Grayson County, Ky. He was twice married, and by his first wife had a family of ten children. His second wife was Miss Harriet B. Wortham, and by this marriage eight children were born. The boyhood of Judge Cunningham was passed on his father’s farm until the age of seventeen, when he was sent to St. Mary’s College, in Marion County, Ky. He there applied himself diligently to study during three terms, and upon his return home was engaged one year as book-keeper in his father’s store, and then deciding to enter one of the professions, went to Nashville. Tenn., where he read medicine and attended medical lectures one year. After his return home he read law three years in the office of William L. Conklin,and in 1855 was admitted to the bar, and practiced law in Litchfield one year. In 1857 he was engaged in his profession a few months in Mattoon, and then came to Charleston, where he first commenced the practice of law associated with O. B. Ficklin, and remained with him about three years. His superior ability as a lawyer and as a man suited to the successful management of public affairs, soon became apparent, and in 1860 he was elected District Attorney in the 4th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, holding the office four years. He then resumed the practice of law in Charleston, and in 1865 was elected City Attorney for a term of two years. After the expiration of this office he served as City Clerk one year and Alderman two years. He was then elected Supervisor three years, and also Chairman of the Board. In 1870 he was elected a member of the State Legislature by a majority of 200, and in 1874 served again as Alderman. In 1878 he was elected County Judge, and held the office five years. The marriage of Judge Cunningham to Miss Mary M. Smith, took place Jan. 9, 1862. She is the daughter of William O. Smith, of Lexington, Ky. They have an interesting family of eight children William S., Robert O., John, James W., Mary A., Charles, Clifford and Thomas. Judge Cunningham is now engaged in the practice of law in this city, at his office on Jackson street. During the incumbency of the various offices to which he was elected, he discharged his public duties faithfully, giving entire satisfaction to the community. He belongs to the Democratic party, and both socially and politically, is one of the prominent men of the county. |
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