Cunningham, James

"JAMES CUNNINGHAM, merchant, P. O. Gettysburg, was born in Adams County, Penn., January 9, 1847, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents, John and Margaret R. (Scott) Cunningham, are both natives of this county. His father followed farming until 1884, when he engaged in mercantile business at Fairfield, which still occupies his attention. James was reared on a farm until eighteen years of age, when he engaged as a clerk in Shippensburg for six months; was then employed for three years by Fonstock Bros., of Gettysburg. He then formed a partnership and entered into business at that place. The firm was known as Cobean & Cunningham, and they dealt in boots, shoes, clothing, hats, etc., continuing for two years. In the spring of 1869 our subject commenced farming in Freedom Township, and was thus engaged until 1881, when he moved to Fairfield, where he engaged in mercantile business until the spring of 1884; then sold out to his father and returned to the farm, where he remained until 1886. In that year he again entered mercantile business, on Marsh Creek, better known as Glenwood. He keeps a general stock of groceries, dry goods, hardware, boots and shoes, etc. He owns about eight acres of land adjoining his residence. March 17, 1874, Mr. Cunningham married Elizabeth F. Blythe, and five children were born to this union, four now living: Robert R. B., Bessie, Mary and Janet. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are members of the Presbyterian Church. "