William H. CUNNINGHAM b. 1846
William H. Cunningham, superintendent of
the Forest cemetery of Oskaloosa, is a native of
Prince Edward county, Ontario, born December
10, 1846, and a son of Daniel and Charlotte
(McDonald) Cunningham, who were likewise
natives of Ontario and there remained until
called to their final rest. In their family were
three daughters and a son, who are yet living
namely: Hannah E.; Phebe Jane, who is then
widow of William Vermilyea, a resident of Oskaloosa;
Sarah A., the deceased wife of Dexter
Maston; and William H.
In his home neighborhood William H.
Cunningham acquired his education and upon the
farm was reared, early becoming familiar with
the arduous duties of the fields. He arrived in
Oskaloosa in 1865 and here learned the marble
trade, which he followed for more than twenty
years. During that long period he was employed
at different times in Hamilton, Ontario,
Cobleskill and Coxsackie, New York, and
Council Bluffs, Iowa, returning to Oskaloosa
in 1875. Here for twelve years he was in the
employ of F. W. McCall and then went to
Council Bluffs, where he remained for a short
period, after which he returned to Oskaloosa
and was with Mr. McCall until he became
superintendent of Forest cemetery on the 15th of
November, 1886. He still fills this position
and has done much for the improvement of the
cemetery grounds, working along economical
lines that are very productive of excellent
results. This developed his latent powers for
landscape gardening and he has greatly
improved and beautified the cemetery.
In 1867 Mr. Cunningham was married to
Miss Ruth A. Garratt, a daughter of F. R. and
Sarah M. Garratt, of Prince Edward county,
Ontario. She died March 1, 1905, at the age of
fifty-four years, leaving a husband and two
sons, Ernest A. and Clarence E., both of
Oskaloosa. The former was married in 1893 to
Mary J. Foster, a daughter of H. and Mary
Foster, and their children are Meryl A., Wilfred
D., Mildred C. and E. Arthur. Clarence
E. Cunningham wedded Clara Miller and their
children are Marie and Evert.
Mr. Cunningham is a member of Tri
Luminar lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M.; Hiram
chapter, No. 6, R. A. M., De Payens
commandery, No. 7, K. T. and the Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the First
Episcopal church and politically is a republican.
He is a man of generous impulses, kindly traits
of character, of fine personal qualifications and
good judgment. In his present position he has
given eminent satisfaction and he has won during
the long years of his residence in Oskaloosa
the respect and good will of all with whom he
has come in contact.
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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy
Iowa Genealogy
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