James Caswell "Jim" Cunningham

CUNNINGHAM, James C. - Our town and community was shocked Sunday morning when the news spread that Mr. Cunningham had died suddenly at 9:30 Saturday night. His death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clyde Moore, with whom he was visiting and was very unexpected, as he was in his usual health when he retired at 9 o’clock. He had spent about ten days in the oil fields at Henryetta and had only been with Mrs. Moore two days. The physician thought it probable that he had over exerted himself, causing the stroke of apoplexy. The body arrived here Monday evening and was taken to his home west of town. James Casswell McGill Cunningham was born in Flat Creek, Bedford County, Tennessee November 29, 1840. He came to Arkansas when he was a boy of 18 years, where he lived until the War Between the States, when he enlisted in the Confederate army and served throughout the war. He was a gallant soldier and at the close of the war he returned to Arkansas where he has since resided. January 24, 1867 he was married to Rebecca Jane Rollins and to this union were born three children, Mrs. Nannie Wilson, wife of Mr. Andrew Wilson; Mrs. Mary Brunk, wife of John F. Brunk and Mrs. Susie Brewster, who died many years ago. This mother departed this life November, 11, 1871. In 1876 he was united in marriage to Francis E. Shoffner, who preceded him to the great beyond only five years ago. To this union five children were born: Newton Casswell, William Moses, Tennie Cecil and Robert Earl; a daughter, Eva, died in infancy. James Cunningham possessed a happy, jovial disposition that won for him friends wherever he went. Cheerful at all times, kind and loving in his home, a tender and true father and a doting grandfather. He was an active, zealous worker in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which he loyally supported as long as he lived. He was a member of the Prairie Grove Camp of Confederate Veterans and was a prominent figure at the reunions, both local and national. He was a member of Company A, 9th Texas. The funeral took place from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, conducted by Rev. F.A. Grundy and the interment was in the Prairie Grove cemetery. Prairie Grove Camp of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy attended in a body. The church was filled to overflowing with sorrowing relatives and friends who had assembled to pay last tribute to their friend. [Prairie Grove Herald 4/15/1920]

James Caswell Cunningham, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas was born December 29, 1841 at Bedford, Bedford County, Tennessee, the son of Mathew Thadeus Cunningham, born at Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tennessee who lived at flat Creek and was a Justice of the Peace. He was the son of Mathew Cunningham and his wife Elizabeth Gilbreath who lived in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Maiden name of subject’s mother was Nancy Galaspy McGill, daughter of James McGill and his wife Sally Parker, who lived at Thompson’s Creek, Tennessee. Mathew Cunningham was a Col. of the Revolutionary War. James McGill was in the Revolutionary War. He was of Scotch Irish descent and first settled in Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. Subject was educated at Flat Creek Seminary, Tennessee and at Prairie Grove, Arkansas. He taught school in Texas and in Arkansas; was a Jeffersonian Democrat all the time and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was a private in the Confederate Army, belonged to Captain Sam Marrs of McRhea’s Regiment May 1861 – on reorganization, joined the Confederates under Captain Crawford and served till the close of the war 1865.He married first Rebecca Jane Rollins, daughter of Moses Rollins and his wife Naoma Crawford of Tennessee and married second Frances Emaline Shoffner, daughter of Newton K. Shoffner and his wife, Mary Brewer, from Lincoln County, Tennessee. His children are: Nancy Naoma Cunningham, wife of Andrew Jackson Wilson, Prairie Grove, Arkansas; Mary Caswell Cunningham, wife of John F. Brunk, Prairie Grove, Arkansas; Susan Jane Cunningham, wife of Mr. Bruston, deceased; Newton Caswell Cunningham, husband of Hattie Cook, Washington County, Arkansas and William Moses Thadeus Cunningham, husband of Lutie Baird, Prairie Grove, Arkansas. [1911 Arkansas Confederate Census]

CUNNINGHAM, James Caswell – Card of Thanks – We wish to thank the many friends and relatives of our father who showed such loving kindness and thoughtfulness in our time of need and trouble and remembered him with floral tributes. (Signed) J.C. Cunningham’s children. [Prairie Grove Herald 4/22/1920]

Notice – All persons knowing themselves to be indebted to the late J.C. Cunningham will take notice that all book accounts, notes, mortgages and other evidences of indebtedness are now in my hands for collection and a reasonable time will be allowed for making voluntary payments in satisfaction of the same. H.B. Collier, Attorney for Adm’r. [Prairie Grove Herald 7/15/1920]........James C. Cunningham. Among the honest and prosperous tillers of the

soil of Prairie Grove, Washington Co., Ark., worthy of mention is Mr. Cunningham,

who was born in Bedford County, Tenn., November 29, 1841. Bis

parents, M. T. and Nancy G. (McGill) Cunningham, were born, reared and

married in Tennessee, and there spent their days. The father was a blacksmitb,

wagon-maker and miller by trade, and followed those occupations throughout

life'. Jam es C. received a good education in the Flat Creek Academy, acquiring

a thorough knowledge of the common and higher Englisb branches and the

higher mathematics. He remained with his father until eighteen ye~rs of age,

and in the fall of 1859 came West to seek his fortune, locating in Washington

County, Ark., where he has since made his home, with the exception of a few

years. He raised a crop in 1860, and part of one in 1861, but the breaking out

of the war interfered with his labors, and he enlisted in the Confederate army, in

McCrea's regiment, for three months, at the end of which time he returned

home. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Hart's battery of Arkansas troops for

twelve months, but when it was reorganized, about three months later, he joined

the Third Texas Cavalry. with which he remained until April, 1862. He was

then detailed on detached duty for a short time, and afterward joined the Nineteenth

Texas Infantry, serving with the same until the close of the war. In

June, 1865, they were disbanded afBempstead, Tex., and be remained in that

State until 1866, engaged in teaching school. After returning to Arkansas he

was engaged in teaching the young idea for about one year, and then turned

his attention to farming and stock raising, which occupation has received the

most of his attention up to the present time. He rented land for some time,

and in 1880 purchased his present valuable bottom land farm of 280 acres, 175

acres of which are under cultivation. He also owns 120 acres of land at Viney

Grove, eighty acres of which are under cultivation. He was married in Washington

County, January 24, 1867, to Miss Jennie Rollins, a native of the county,

and daughter of Moses Rollins, deceased, and by her became the father of three

daughters: Nancy N., Mary and Susie. The wife died in October, 1871, and in

January, 1877, Mr. Cunningham married his second wife, Miss Fannie Shofner,

a native of Bedford County, Tenn., and daughter of Newton K. Shofner. Four

children have blessed this union: Newton, William, Tennie and Earl. Mrs.

Cunningham is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.