SAMUEL M. CUNNINGHAM
History records the name of Samuel M. Cunningham as that of one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county, who through succeeding years was closely identified with the agricultural interests of this part of the state, his labors contributing to the material development and upbuilding of the county as well as to his individual success. Quiet was his life in some respects, for he cared naught for public notoriety, yet his influence proved a potent element for good, while his personal qualities drew tom him the regard and friendship of men.
Mr. Cunningham was born in Marion county, Kentucky, February 16, 1818, his parents being Robert and Nancy Cunningham, who in early life resided in Virginia, whence they removed to the Blue Grass state. In the state of his nativity Samuel M. Cunningham was reared, acquiring his education in the public schools, and becoming familiar with the best methods of farming, as known at that day. He came to Illinois in 1850, settling in Greene county, and in December of that year he was united in marriage to Miss Emeline E. Cooper, who was born in Kentucky, August 23, 1829, a daughter of Judge E.L. and Mary M. Cooper, who came to Greene county in 1836, their daughter being at that time six years of age. She was a young lady of twenty-one when she gave her hand in marriage to Samuel Cunningham, and almost immediately afterward they returned to Kentucky, where they spent the two succeeding years and then came again to Greene county. Here they took up their permanent abode.
Mr. Cunningham entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government and at once began to transform the wild tract into productive fields, while, as his financial resources increased, he extended his landed holdings until he was the possessor, at the time of his death, of six hundred and sixty acres of very valuable land. The home farm near Greenfield, which he operated, comprised three hundred and twenty acres. He was energetic and through the performance of each day?s work and duty as it came to him, he was enabled to add year by year to his property until he was numbered among the men of affluence in this part of the state. He had a wide acquaintance among he early settlers of this and adjoining counties and he belonged to that class of resolute pioneer people who faced the dangers and difficulties of establishing homes in a frontier district and laid the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of the county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham nine children were born, of whom three are still living: Robert L., a resident of White Hall; George W., who is living a retired life in Greenfield and is represented on another page of this work; and L.E., a traveling salesman residing in Carrollton. One son, H.C. Cunningham, who was interested with his brother George in the stock business for a number of years, died October 15, 1894.
Mr. Cunningham was a republican, being the one member of the family to support that party. Political preferment, however, had no attraction for him, as he preferred to do his public service as a private citizen, and he was never found remiss in the performance of any duty or labor that would benefit his community and promote its welfare. He favored reform and progress, material improvement and educational advancement and it was known that his support could be counted upon to further any beneficial measure or movement. He was a loyal member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, yet gave liberally to the upbuilding of all the churches of his locality. There was nothing narrow or contracted in his religion nor in his nature.. He possessed a broad humanitarian spirit and appreciated the good in all men and all things. He died in 1880, at the age of sixty-two years, while living upon the farm near Greenfield, which had long been his home, having for almost a third of a century--the period of his residence in Greene county--occupied a most honorable and enviable position in the regard of his fellow citizens.
Mrs. Cunningham, still surviving her husband, remained upon the home farm until October 15, 1893, when she removed with her father to Greenfield, where she has since resided. From early girlhood she has been a consistent member of the Baptist church and has taken an active and helpful part in its work, largely promoting the various departments of church activity. With the exception of a brief period of two years spent with her husband in Kentucky immediately after her marriage, she has resided continuously in Greene county from her sixth year, and sh has now passed the seventy-fifty milestone on life?s journey. Ever faithful to the duties of wifehood and motherhood and of that circle in which woman reigns supreme, she has promoted happiness and shed around her much of life?s sunshine.
Transcribed by: Carole Ann Heller