THOMAS EDWARD CUNNINGHAM, a highly respected citizen of section 30, Buena Vista township, Schuyler county, Illinois, was born in Rushville, of this State, on May 2, 1860.
His paternal grandfather, William Cunningham, was a native of Kentucky, in which State he was married, and in 1837, came to Rushville, near which place he was for some years engaged in farming. Later, he has kept a hotel, and still later, removed to Mt. Sterling, where he continued in the hotel business until the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1871. He was twice married. His first wife, the grandmother of our subject, died, leaving nine children. He had no children by his second marriage. The nine children were as follows: William, born on October 31, 1816, died in Schuyler county; Nancy J. was born on October 31, 1818, and married William Cooney, who died in Canton, Illinois; Woodson was born on September 23, 1820, and died in Brown county; Caleb was born on August 22, 1822, and died in California; Joseph was born on October 17, 1824, and died in Brown county; Ellen was born on November 17, 1826, and married William Bowling, who died in Schuyler county; John was born on November 30, 1828, and died also in Schuyler county; Thomas was the father of our subject; Lucinda, the only surviving member of the family, was born on October 16, 1834; she married Isaac Warrington, and resides in Camden township, Schuyler county.
The father of our subject was born on December 23, 1830, and removed with his parents to Illinois. He was reared in Rushville, where he was married on March 16, 1859, to Nancy Ann, seventh daughter of Edmund and Lucy Ann Smith. She was born in Kentucky, on February 23, 1833, and came to Illinois when sixteen years of age. The father of our subject resided in Rushville, until the close of the Civil war, and owned and operated the stage route between Rushville and Mt. Sterling, for many years. In 1866, he settled on a farm in Buena Vista township, where he purchased 160 acres of land, where he passed his declining years. On this property he built a large, handsome brick residence, and made other substantial improvements. He died at his home on September 22, 1882, leaving a wife and family to mourn his loss. His faithful wife survived him seven years, passing away on March 30, 1889, lamented by all who knew her. They were consistent members of the Christian Church, contributing liberally toward its support.
They had eight children: William, born on February 17, 1885, married Margaret Green; Charles D., born on August 5, 1857, married Mary C. Unger; Thomas E., born on May 2, 1860, married Clara A. Wilmott; Lucy A., born on July 30, 1863; Amanda E., born on May 19, 1866; Nancy J. was born on April 2, 1869, married Charles Hester; Woodson J., born on July 19, 1873; John M., born on July 9, 1876, died on July 10, 1876. Of these, seven are still living, all being residents of Schuyler county.
Thomas Edward, the subject of our sketch was reared on the home farm, and attended the district schools. In 1881, he was married to Clara A. Wilmott, a native of Schuyler county, where she was born on June 3, 1859. She was a daughter of Morris and Dorotha Wilmott, highly respected citizens of that county. She died on September 30, 1890, leaving a husband and three children to mourn her loss, besides a large circle of friends. They had three children: Reverda, who was born on March 13, 1884; Bertha, born on November 9, 1885; Raymond, born on November 13, 1887.
Mr. Cunningham carries on the homestead, besides which he owns forty acres of his own, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and which is applied with all modern improvements, of machinery and buildings, to facilitate the planting and gathering of his crops.
In politics, he follows in the footsteps of his fathers, affiliating with the Democratic party.
Of high integrity and morality, courteous and cordial in manner, and interesting in conversation, he enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the affectionate regard of his family and friends.