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         GEORGE CUNNINGHAM, one of the prominent merchants of Morning Sun, Iowa, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, on the 6th of December, 1828, and is a son of William Cunningham. His father was born in Ireland, though of Scotch descent, and received a liberal education in his native country. When a young man he emigrated to America, crossing the broad Atlantic, and settling in Westmoreland County, Pa., where he became acquainted with and wedded Miss Mary Ann Sleith, who was born in that State. About the year 1813 they emigrated to Guernsey County, Ohio, where Mr. Cunningham took a claim, and in the midst of the forest developed a farm, undergoing all the hardships of pioneer life. At that time the country was full of Indians, and the nights were made hideous by the howls of wild animals.

Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham were the parents of eight children, who grew to manhood and womanhood, and four are yet living: Samuel died in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1885; James is a prominent farmer of Guernsey County, Ohio; John, who settled in Des Moines County in 1845, died about 1862; Mary Ann was the wife of Henry McKeown, who settled in Des Moines County in 1846, but she died the following year; William served as a Captain during the late Rebellion; George, of this sketch, is the next in order of birth; Allen, a soldier of the late war, who served with honor until its close, is at present located in Los Angeles, Cal.; Thomas, who was also a soldier, died from disease contracted after two months’ service in the Army of the Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham were people who stood high in the social world, and both were members of the Associate Presbyterian Church, in which he served as an Elder for many years. His first wife died in 1834, and Mr. Cunningham was again married, taking for his wife Miss Sarah Lawrence, who died in 1845. His death occurred in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1861, the county thereby losing one of its best citizens.

Our subject was reared upon a farm in his native county, being principally educated in the pioneer school-house, built of logs, so common at that day. In 1850 he led to the marriage altar Miss Margaret J. Cunningham, who was born in Guernsey County in 1826, and one child graced that union, Maggie. The mother died soon after the birth of her daughter, and in 1853 Mr. Cunningham wedded Miss Mary A. Reed. Two children, yet living, have been born to them: Lizzie, wife of W. T. Graham, a real-estate dealer of Omaha, Neb.; and Emma, who is at home. Both have received liberal educations, being graduates of the Monmouth College, of Monmouth, Ill.

In 1855 Mr. Cunningham became a resident of Louisa County, which was then sparsely settled, locating in Morning Sun Township, where he spent ten years engaged in farming. At the expiration of that time he sold out and purchased a farm in Yellow Spring Township, in Des Moines County, where he made his home for twelve years, and then . . .

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. . . once more returned to Louisa County, locating in Morning Sun, where he embarked in the mercantile business, carrying a stock of groceries, boots and shoes. Giving strict attention to his business, and desiring to please his customers, he has by fair dealing built up a good trade, and is one of the leading merchants of Louisa County. At the age of twenty-one he joined the Associate Presbyterian Church, but after a few years became a member of the Reform Presbyterian Church, with which he has affiliated since, and for the past fifteen years he has held the position of Elder in the church at Morning Sun. Mr. Cunningham is a strong temperance man, and is a supporter of every cause pertaining to the public good.