My Genealogy Hound

J. P. CUNNINGHAM, M. D. Prominent among the professional gentlemen of this city is the subject of this sketch. Dr. Cunningham was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., May 1, 1817. His father, Robert Cunningham, was a native of New York; his mother, Elizabeth (Parson) Cunningham, of Massachusetts. They came to Pittsburgh when it was but a very small place. When subject was about ten years of age his father died and shortly after moved with the family to Wheeling, W. Va. There young C. grew to manhood, receiving a liberal education in the city schools. Commenced the study of medicine in 1842 with the noted Dr. Bates, of Wheeling, and two years later engaged in the practice of his profession in that city. In 1852 he moved to Illinois, located in Iroquois county, practiced there for ten years, then moved to northwest Missouri and engaged in practice at Rockport. In March, 1866, he came to this county, locating at Carthage, being the first physician at that place. Came to Joplin in 1877 and has since made this his home. Dr. Cunningham was married in Wheeling, West Va., May 16, 1838, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Clement McCune, of Washington county, Penn. Mrs. Cunningham was born in Washington county, in January, 1817, and died Aug. 22, 1882, in this city. From this union there were five children: Geo. P., Harriet P., wife of G. H. Walser; L. P., and Ada P. now the wife of M. A. Gill of this city. The Dr. is one of the pioneer settlers of Jasper county and has watched its wonderful development. He is a man of energy and enterprise, standing at the head of his profession and has contributed largely for the support of public institutions, educational and otherwise.