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Below is a family biography included in The History of White 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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L. D. Cunningham, a well known farmer and stock raiser of the Tenth District, was born in White County, July 2, 1837, the youngest child of Edmond and Nancy (Anderson) Cunningham. The father was born in Virginia June 5, 1792, and married November 11, 1814. He came to White County about 1810, and engaged in farming, stock raising and making brandy and whisky. He was a Whig and an industrious, thrifty man. He accumulated considerable property. His death occurred June 2, 1858. The mother was born May 4, 1795. They were of Scotch-Irish descent, both faithful members of the Baptist Church. Our subject spent his early days on the farm, receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood. In 1857 or 1858 he began agricultural pursuits on his own responsibility. In 1863 he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-eighth Tennessee Infantry, under Gen. Cheatham. He took part in several battles, one of which was at Murfreesboro. He was a brave and gallant soldier. In 1860 he married Martha, daughter of John and Hannah (Moore) Mitchell, of White County. Mrs. Cunningham died November 3, 1872. February 14, 1874, our subject wedded America, daughter of Jesse and J. (Shockley) Dodson, of White County. To this union four sons and two daughters have been born, two sons deceased. Mrs. Cunningham is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Cunningham is a believer in religion but is not connected with any church. He is a stanch Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 38 biographies included in The History of White County, Tennessee published in 1887.  The History of White County was included within The History of Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Warren & White Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Warren, White Counties of Tennessee

View additional White County, Tennessee family biographies here: White County, Tennessee

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