John Cunningham Family

Our immigrant ancestor was John Cunningham, who was born in Dublin Ireland in and immigrated to the United States finally settling in Emmett Co., Iowa.

According to the History of Emmet County and Dickinson County, Iowa...2 vols. Chicago: Pioneer Pub. Co., 1917

In the death of John Cunningham Emmet County lost a substantial, worthy and respected citizen, a man who had long been prominently and actively identified with its agricultural interests and who in every relation of life had conducted himself with such signal energy as to win the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, on the 10th of May, 1822, and on crossing the Atlantic to the United States when twenty- six years of age made his way to Tennessee. There he worked as a stone and brick mason for a number of years and afterward went to Wisconsin, where he was employed at railroad work and in lumber camps. He also worked to some extent at the stone mason's trade. Thinking to find still better business opportunities in the new and growing western country, he made his way to Emmet County and was one of the first to settle within its borders. He came with the Maher's just after the Indians drove out the original settlers and before the Ridley's came.

Mr. Cunningham purchased the south half of section 36, High Lake Township, a tract of raw land on which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He at once began to develop and cultivate the property and lived thereon during the rest of the hard times when existence in Emmet County meant a continuous struggle. As the years advanced, however, times and conditions changed and Mr. Cunningham's efforts resulted in converting his tract of wild prairie into rich and productive fields from which he annually gathered good harvests that brought him a substantial financial return. He remained upon that place to the time of his death, which occurred September 22, 1904.

His life was one of untiring industry, thrift, perseverance and his success was due to those qualities. Mr. Cunningham was married in Wisconsin to Miss Elizabeth Banks, a native of Dublin, Ireland, whose parents never came to the United States. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham: Michael, who has passed away; one who died in infancy; John, a resident of Emmet county; Thomas and William, both deceased; Adeline, living in Waterloo, Iowa; James, who is cultivating the old home farm; and Mary, the wife of Philbert John Lee Master, who is associated with her brother James in carrying on the old homestead. Mr. Cunningham was a Catholic in religious faith and in politics was a democrat. He held all the township offices and his loyalty in citizenship stood as an unquestioned fact in his career. His was an active and useful life and indicates what may be accomplished when there is determination and energy.

In the face of obstacles and difficulties he worked his way upward and was thus able to leave to his family a very substantial competence as well as an honored name.

IA-IRISH-D@rootsweb.com Thanks to Iowa Irish message board at Rootsweb for text!

Descendants of John Cunningham

Cunningham Family Photo page /Cunningham Family Photo page 2 and obits

First Generation

1. John Cunningham was born on 10 May 1822 in Dublin, Ireland, died on 22 Sep 1904 in Estherville, Emmet Co., IA at age 82, and was buried in St Jacobs Cemetery Alto Co., IA.

John married Elizabeth Branks in 1860 in Wisconsin. Elizabeth was born in 1832 in Ireland, died in 1914 in Estherville, Emmet Co., IA at age 82, and was buried in St Jacobs Cemetery Alto Co., IA.

Children from this marriage were:
+ 2 M    i. Michael Cunningham was born in 1862 in Wisconsin.

+ 3 M    ii. Thomas F. Cunningham was born in 1865 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA, died in 1912 in Alto Co., IA at age 47, and was buried in St Jacobs Cemetery Alto Co., IA.

+ 4 M    iii. John Cunningham was born in 1866 in Wisconsin and died in 1917 in Iowa at age 51.

+ 5 F    iv. Eliza Cunningham was born in Apr 1869 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA and died before 1880 in Emmet Co., IA.

+ 6 F    v. Edeline Cunningham was born on 12 Nov 1869 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA, died on 14 Nov 1942 in Alto Co., IA at age 73, and was buried in St Jacobs Cemetery Alto Co., IA.

+ 7 M    vi. James Cunningham was born in Apr 1874 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA.

+ 8 F    vii. Mary Cunningham was born in May 1876 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA.

+ 9 M    viii. William Cunningham was born on 1 Jan 1877 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA, died on 2 Jun 1909 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA at age 32, and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery Tama Co., IA.

Second Generation (Children)

2. Michael Cunningham (John¹) was born in 1862 in Wisconsin.

3. Thomas F. Cunningham (John¹) was born in 1865 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA, died in 1912 in Alto Co., IA at age 47, and was buried in St Jacobs Cemetery Alto Co., IA.

4. John Cunningham (John¹) was born in 1866 in Wisconsin and died in 1917 in Iowa at age 51. Another name for John was John Thomas.

John married Annie Conlin on 6 Jan 1899 in Emmet Co., IA, daughter of Peter Conlin and Delia Harrity. Annie was born on 11 May 1870 in Armstrong Grove, Emmet Co., IA and died on 24 Apr 1907 in Emmet Co., IA at age 36.

Children from this marriage were:
+ 10 M    i. John Cunningham was born in 1900 in Emmet Co., IA and died in Logan, Phillips, Kansas, USA.

+ 11 F    ii. Marie Cunningham was born on 27 Sep 1902 in Armstrong Grove, Emmet Co., IA, died on 4 Dec 1997 in Norton, KS at age 95, and was buried in Logan Cemetery Logan, KS.

5. Eliza Cunningham (John¹) was born in Apr 1869 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA and died before 1880 in Emmet Co., IA.

6. Edeline Cunningham (John¹) was born on 12 Nov 1869 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA, died on 14 Nov 1942 in Alto Co., IA at age 73, and was buried in St Jacobs Cemetery Alto Co., IA.

7. James Cunningham (John¹) was born in Apr 1874 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA.

James married someone
8. Mary Cunningham (John¹) was born in May 1876 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA.

Mary married Filbert John Leemaster on 13 Nov 1915 in Emmet Co., IA. Filbert John was born on 21 Dec 1887 in Aurora, Lawrence County, Missouri. Another name for Filbert John was Gilbert J. (?).

The child from this marriage was:
+ 12 M    i. George Leemaster was born on 6 Jul 1919 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA and died on 7 May 1981 in Great Falls, Cascade, Montana at age 61.

9. William Cunningham (John¹) was born on 1 Jan 1877 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA, died on 2 Jun 1909 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA at age 32, and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery Tama Co., IA. Another name for William was William Henry.

William married Lena Steen in 1900 in Estherville, Emmet Co., IA, daughter of John F. W. Steen and Ellen M. Wier. Lena was born on 30 Jan 1885 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA, died on 8 Sep 1959 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, USA at age 74, and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery Tama Co., IA. Another name for Lena was Lena Leotta.

Children from this marriage were:
+ 13 M    i. John Cunningham was born in 1901 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA and died in 1950 in Cushman, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA at age 49.

+ 14 F    ii. Florence Cunningham was born on 7 Jun 1903 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA and died on 3 Jul 1907 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA at age 4.

+ 15 M    iii. William Henry Cunningham was born on 19 Feb 1907 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA and died on 11 Feb 1975 in West Frankfort, Franklin, Illinois, USA at age 67.

+ 16 F    iv. Wrilma Cunningham was born on 4 Mar 1909 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA and died in 1942 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, USA at age 33.

Third Generation (Grandchildren)

10. John Cunningham (John², John¹) was born in 1900 in Emmet Co., IA and died in Logan, Phillips, Kansas, USA.

John married Amelia. Amelia was born in 1900 in Unk.

The child from this marriage was:
+ 17 M    i. Michael Cunningham was born about 1920 in Iowa.

11. Marie Cunningham (John², John¹) was born on 27 Sep 1902 in Armstrong Grove, Emmet Co., IA, died on 4 Dec 1997 in Norton, KS at age 95, and was buried in Logan Cemetery Logan, KS. Another name for Marie was Marie Elizabeth.

Marie married Harley Snyder on 2 Sep 1936 in St John's Cath. Church Logan, KS. Harley was born about 1900 in Iowa and died about 1960 in Logan, Phillips, Kansas, USA about age 60.

The child from this marriage was:
+ 18 M    i. Charles Snyder was born about 1938 in Logan, Phillips, Kansas, USA.

Marie next married Joseph Wetter on 27 Aug 1962 in St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church Norton, KS. Joseph was born on 27 Aug 1899 in Lanham, Washington, KS and died on 22 Nov 1972 in Norton Center, KS at age 73. Another name for Joseph was Hubert Joseph.
12. George Leemaster (Mary Cunningham², John¹) was born on 6 Jul 1919 in High Lake Twsp Emmett Co., IA and died on 7 May 1981 in Great Falls, Cascade, Montana at age 61.

13. John Cunningham (William², John¹) was born in 1901 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA and died in 1950 in Cushman, Hampshire, Massachusetts, USA at age 49.

John married Doris Harlow on 31 Jul 1926 in Amherst, Hampshire, Mass, daughter of Norman ( Frederick N.) Harlow and Ida Knight. Doris was born on 16 Jan 1902 in Massachusetts.

Children from this marriage were:
+ 19 M    i. Jack Cunningham was born on 13 Apr 1929 in Oakland, CA.

+ 20 F    ii. Bonita Cunningham was born on 12 May 1947 in Northampton, MA.

14. Florence Cunningham (William², John¹) was born on 7 Jun 1903 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA and died on 3 Jul 1907 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA at age 4. Another name for Florence was Florence Wrilma.

15. William Henry Cunningham (William², John¹) was born on 19 Feb 1907 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA and died on 11 Feb 1975 in West Frankfort, Franklin, Illinois, USA at age 67.

William Henry married Cora May Munselle on 22 Oct 1927 in Dixon, Lee Co., IL, daughter of WILLIAM "Otis " MUNSELLE and May E. Shipp. Cora May was born on 29 Jun 1909 in Richland Springs, San Saba Co., Texas and died on 28 Dec 1982 in Elkhart, Elkhart, Indiana, USA at age 73.

The child from this marriage was:
+ 21 M    i. Ronald Cunningham was born on 1 Jan 1929 in Dixon, Lee Co., IL and died on 13 Dec 1994 in Albuquerque, Bernalillo Co., NM at age 65.

16. Wrilma Cunningham (William², John¹) was born on 4 Mar 1909 in Tama City, Tama Co., IA and died in 1942 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, USA at age 33.

Fourth Generation (Great-Grandchildren)

17. Michael Cunningham (John³, John², John¹) was born about 1920 in Iowa.

18. Charles Snyder (Marie Cunningham³, John², John¹) was born about 1938 in Logan, Phillips, Kansas, USA.

Charles married Theodora. Theodora was born about 1940 in Kansas.

The child from this marriage was:
+ 22 M    i. Timothy Snyder was born about 1960 in Kansas.

19. Jack Cunningham (John³, William², John¹) was born on 13 Apr 1929 in Oakland, CA. Another name for Jack is Lester Jackie.

Jack married Dorothy Kalasinski. Dorothy was born about 1930 in Unk.
20. Bonita Cunningham (John³, William², John¹) was born on 12 May 1947 in Northampton, MA. Another name for Bonita is Bonnie.

General Notes: Kelly Sarti & Edward Wroblewski III
Bonita and Edward Wroblewski Jr. of Hatfield announce the engagement of their son, Edward William III, to Kelly Elizabeth Sarti, the daughter of Gwendolyn and Guidon Sarti of Moosic, Pa.

Bonita married Edward Wroblewski. Edward was born about 1948 in Massachusetts.
21. Ronald Cunningham (William Henry³, William², John¹) was born on 1 Jan 1929 in Dixon, Lee Co., IL and died on 13 Dec 1994 in Alburquerque, Bernalillo Co., NM at age 65.

Ronald married Rita Faye Donwen on 25 Jun 1954 in San Diego Co., CA, daughter of William Edward Donwen and Augusta Ann Dostal. Rita Faye was born on 10 Oct 1928 in Jackson Co., MN.

The child from this marriage was:
+ 23 M    i. Cunningham was born in 19xx in San Diego Co., CA.

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