Hugh M. Cunningham
Hugh M. Cunningham, one of the leading merchants of Millersburgh, was born in Chester Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1839, a son of Thomas and Mary Cunningham, who were among the early settlers of Wayne County. His early life was spent on a farm, and for some years he devoted his attention to agriculture and school teaching, having had the benefits to be derived from the common schools and the academy at Hayesville, Ohio, and being of a studious disposition, he made good use of the advantages he had. He was successful in both these callings, but in 1871, concluding to enter mercantile business, he removed to Millersburgh, where he has since lived. The first five years he was engaged as clerk in the postoffice. He has met with success in mercantile life, and is now one of the substantial business men of the town,. Public spirited and liberal, he has been a contributor, both of his time and means, toward the development of Millersburgh, and in all enterprises his influence has been felt in a substantial way, and many evidences may be seen of his interest in the welfare of the town. Mr. Cunningham was married in 1865 to Esther, daughter of Joseph Mitchell, of Beaver County, Penn. Their only son, J. M. Cunningham, was born in Wooster in 1866. He was educated and graduated in the schools of Millersburgh, and in 1884 began the study of dentistry, graduating from the Ohio Dental College, at Cincinnati. Locating at Syracuse, N.Y., he has now there a lucrative practice, and for a young man has already attained distinction in his profession. Mr. Cunningham and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church; in politics he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889