My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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CYRUS W. CUNNINGHAM, dealer in books, stationery, wall paper, jewelry, etc., was born in Bedford County, January 28, 1850, being one of five children of Joseph A. and Elizabeth W. (Williams) Cunningham. The father was a native of Bedford County, his father having come here from North Carolina in the very early settlement of the county. The father was a farmer; his death occurred in 1880. The mother is a descendant of Virginia parentage, is a native of this county, and is now living. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm to the age of twenty-three, receiving a common school education. He taught school and clerked in a store for two years before leaving home. He then came to Shelbyville, and purchased a one-third interest in a book store, and in 1875 became sole proprietor. In 1876 he failed, but has paid out fully, and now does a thriving business, and owns a desirable and beautiful home in Shelbyville He now holds the appointment of deputy internal revenue collector of the Fifth Revenue District of Tennessee. He was married, March 9, 1875, to Miss Susan A. Cannon, grandniece of Gov. Newton Cannon. This union has been blessed in the birth of four children, viz: Kate T., Elizabeth, Jennie C. and Mary J. Mr. Cunningham and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the K. of H. and R. A., being a member of the Grand Lodge of the K. of H. He is a Democrat in politics, and an enterprising citizen of the county.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Bedford County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Bedford County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee

View additional Bedford County, Tennessee family biographies here

View a historic 1888 map of Bedford County, Tennessee

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