Dr John Cunningham

TRIGG COUNTY KENTUCKY VETERANS TRIGG COUNTY KENTUCKY HISTORICAL & PRESERVATION SOCIETY Copyright 2002 by TURNER PUBLISHING COMPANY:

John Cunningham (Surgeon)

John had 3 Grandfathers who served in the Continental forces during the Revolutionary War: Moza Gresham, James Boyd, Gideon Carr.

John obtained his literary training in common schools and at Bethel College, Russellville, Kentucky. He attended St. Louis Medical College & Galveston, Texas Medical College where he received his second medical diploma.

John married 1st: Ann O. Patterson which she died shortly after giving birth to their only son Byron Blair Cunningham.

John enlisted in the Confederate army Co. G. 4th Ky Inf. & elected as 1st Lt. Fought 2 days in Battle of Shiloh. Later he was the surgeon to General Wheeler. Then with General Bragg's invasion of Kentucky helped to organize a cavalry company of which he was elected 2nd Lt. then to Captain. Captured at Paris, Tennessee and imprisoned at Nashville, Tennessee & Camp Chase, Ohio & Fortress Monroe, Virginia.

After war went to Ravenna, Fannin, Texas & opened a Medical Practice. He owned several ranches and a mercantile store.

John married 2nd: Fannie Agnew.

Dr. John was elected 5 terms in the Texas Legislature and was the last confederate soldier serving in the Texas Government. His picture hangs on the walls at the Texas Capital in Austin.

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Dr. John Cuningham, an old and honored citizen of Ravenna, Tex., died of heart disease at his house on February 6, 1924. He born in Trigg County, Ky., on September 24, 1836, and he was educated in the common schools and at Bethel College, of Russellville, Ky, and later graduated in the famous McDowell Medical College of St. Louis, Mo. When war came on in 1861, he volunteered and served throughout the war. At the battle of Shiloh he was in command of a company. For a time he served as a surgeon in the Confederate army and was stationed on Lookout Mountain. He was captured by the Federals and was kept prisoner of war at Camp Chase, Ohio. Dr. Cunningham was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Patterson, of Kentucky, by which marriage he had one son. His second wife was Miss Fannie Agnew, of Fannin County, Tex., who survives him with two sons and a daughter---H. A. Cunningham, of Bonham, Tex., and Mrs. Annie Spangler and W. B. Cunningham, of Oklahoma. Dr. Cunningham came to Texas in 1867 and settled near the site of the present town of Ravenna, which he started and named; and this fine old town, with its good people and fine schools and churches, as it nestles among the high hills which overlook the broad valley of the Red River, is a befitting monument to the towering character of this grand old man. Coming to Texas soon after the war, it fell to his lot to lead in freeing our State from carpetbag rule, which was accomplished by the triumphant election and installation of the famous Richard Coke, of Waco, as governor of Texas. Dr. Cunningham went to Austin first as a member of the thirteenth legislature of Texas and was reelected for several terms, covering a period of ten years in all. He was an intelligent man, of vast general information, and familiar with all subjects of public interest. He was successful as a merchant, physician, farmer, and stockman. He was a good citizen, a good neighbor and a good friend, but, above all, he was a good Christian, and had been a member of the Christian Church for many years. After funeral services in the Christian Church of Ravenna, his body was tenderly laid away in the Old Sandy Creek Cemetery, with Masonic honors. This brief sketch is from the feeble pen of his old comrade and friend, who was with him in the great battle of Shiloh. [J. E. Deupree.] (Note: This obituary appeared in vol. XXVI, March, 1918, p. 124 of 'The Confederate Veteran Magazine'.)