CUNNINGHAM, ARCHIBALD - Among the intelligent and industrious farmers and stock raisers who have made Cass County favorably and widely known for the enterprise and good judgment manifested in the conduct of its agricultural operations, is Archibald Cunningham, whose parents were among the early settlers of this part of the country. They also were farming people, having come from Edinburgh, Scotland, when very young, and started out to improve their fortunes in western Illinois. They were Thomas and Euphemia (Wilkie) Cunningham, who, emigrating with their respective families as children, located in Cass County, grew up to mature age, were married, and settled down to farm life along the edge of a timber tract, at the northwest corner of township 17, range 9. This they subsequently sold, and moving to township 18, range 9, bought an eighty acre farm, where the father died December 1, 1900, and the mother passed away in the city of Virginia, where she had made her home, January 20, 1914. The children of Thomas and Euphemia Cunningham were as follows: Ellen (Mrs. Alexander Newman), of Cass County; Jennie (Mrs. Link Mathew), also of Cass County; Effie (Mrs. Albert Bell), of Clarence, Shelby County, Mo.; and Archibald.

Archibald Cunningham, the youngest, was born in township 17, range 9, Cass County, Ill., August 9, 1873. He received his early mental training in the Mt. Pleasant district school, and made his home with his parents until his marriage. On June 5, 1895, he was wedded to Myrtle A. Robinson, born in Cass County, a daughter of Aaron C. and Sarah Ellen (Davis) Robinson, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother, of Cass County. Mrs. Cunningham's grandparents were James Allen and Martha Ann Davis.

After his marriage, Mr. Cunningham rented land in this vicinity until 1908, when he bought 120 acres which he has thoroughly improved, and on which he has erected all necessary buildings. Mr. Cunningham resided on this place until 1900, and then rented eighty acres from his father-in-law, adjoining his own property. He is engaged in general farming, besides raising cattle, horses and hogs, operating both places. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have three children: Earl Thomas, born March 21, 1896; Oliver C., born October 20, 1898; and Viola Lee, born August 18, 1900. In politics Mr. Cunningham is a Republican, and has served as road commissioner. He is affiliated with the Court of Honor, at Virginia; and carries insurance in the Banker's Life, of Des Moines, Iowa, and the John Hancock Company.