Dr. John Cunningham
John Cunningham, M.D., was born in Washington County, Pa., February 19, 1792, his father emigrating to America from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1783, marrying soon after his arrival Miss Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Hon. Thomas Scott, the first representative of that district in Congress, during the administration of General Washington. His death took place May 12, 1804, aged fifty-eight years. Dr. Cunningham graduated at Washington College, Pa., under the Presidency of the elder Dr. Brown, and began the study of medicine in the office of S. Murdock, M.D., where he remained three years, with the exception of the time engaged in attending the Jefferson Medical College of Phila- delphia, from which institution he graduated.
He came to Wooster, July 5, 1827, making the trip hither on horseback, his horse dying in five days after his arrival. Here he practiced his profession for several months, when he went to Jeromeville, and where he married Miss Maria Stibbs Beall, March 20, 1830. He continued his practice for some time thereafter in Jeromeville, when he returned to Washington County, Pa., where he devoted himself to professional pursuits until 1848, when his determination again impelled him to Wooster, where he re-established himself in practice. His wife died July 20, 1848, of typhoid fever, and is buried in Washington County, Pa. His family consists of four children, all of whom are living. He became a member of Dr. Brown's church at an early age, and joined the Presbyterian congregration at Wooster on his arrival, then under the pastoral care of Dr. Barr. Drs. H. Bissell, Hoyt, Day, and prboably Shaffer, were his professional competitors when he came to Wooster. Judges Edward Avery, Levi Cox and Ezra Dean were the principal if not the only lawyers. The area of Wooster was then quite diminutive, as contrasted with now, as the doctor says there was but one house built at that time east of the present residence of Samuel Woods, Esq. It was a boarding house (since burnt down), kept by Mrs. John Wilson and a Mrs. McMillen, where Mesrs. Avery, Cox, Bissell, the Hacketts, etc., were handsomely entertained.
Dr. Cunningham is an affable, worthy, intelligent citizen, a good and exemplary Christian, of excellent qualities of mind and disposition. Near three-score years of his life have been consecrated to the service of his Master, "who guides below and rules above, The great Disposer and the mighty King."
From History of Wayne County, Ohio, From the Days of the Pioneers and First Settlers to the Present Time, by Robert Douglass, 1878