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BRAXTON COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA - BIOS: CUNNINGHAM, DON
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
Valerie & Tommy Crook
vfcrook@trellis.net
September 24, 1999
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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume III,
pg. 266
Braxton County
DON CUNNINGHAM. Although one of the younger mem-
bers of the Braxton County Bar Association, Don Cunning-
ham has already proven his ability as a lawyer and worth
as a man, and is enjoying a large and growing practice at
Gassaway. He is a veteran of the World war, and his record
as a soldier is characteristic of the man. He was born in
Randolph County, West Virginia, June 17, 1895, a son
of David S. and Minnie (Warner) Cunningham, born in
1858 and 1865, respectively. The paternal grandfather was
Solomon F. Cunningham, and the family is of Scotch-Irish
descent. David S. Cunningham was reared on a farm, and
educated in the free and normal schools of West Virginia.
During his younger years he was engaged in teaching school
and held a first-grade certificate, but later on in life carried
on an extensive business as a lumber merchant, and was a
member of the lumberman's organization known as Hoo
Hoos. In his political sentiments and actions he was a re-
publican, and stanch in his party support. The Presbyte-
rian Church held his membership. The following children
were born to him and his wife: Guy, who is a graduate of
the Keyser preparatory branch of West Virginia University,
and is at home; Warren, who is auditor of the Central West
Virginia & Southern Railroad; Margaret, the wife of Floyd
Harris; Robert, a resident of Montrose, Randolph County,
West Virginia; and Don, whose name heads this review.
Don Cunningham was reared in Randolph and Tucker
counties, and attended the public schools, the West Virginia
Preparatory School at Keyser, West Virginia, and Wash-
ington and Lee University, being graduated from the law
department of the latter institution with the degree of
Bachelor of Laws. In 1917 Mr. Cunningham enlisted in his
country's service as a private, rose through the ranks to
second lieutenant, and was at Camp Lee as an instructor
when the armistice was signed. Following his honorable
discharge he was placed in the Officers' Reserve Corps of the
United States army. Following his discharge Mr. Cunning-
ham went to Elkins, West Virginia, and took the West
Virginia bar examination, was admitted to the bar Septem-
ber 30, 1919, for a short time was engaged in practice at
Elkins, and in March, 1921, came to Gassaway, where he
has since remained.
Mr. Cunningham married, March 12, 1921, Miss Ida L.
League, a graduate of the public schools and the Southern
Seminary at Buena Vista, Virginia. She is a daughter of
John S. and Grace B. (Woolford) Leagne, the former of
whom is a jeweler of Gassaway. Mr. Cunningham belongs
to Gassaway Lodge No. 196, K. of P., in which he is master
of finance; and to the Loyal Order of Moose. Mrs. Cun-
ningham is a member of the Pythian Sisters. She is an
active worker in and member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, to which Mr. Cunningham is a liberal contributor.
The republican party and ticket receives the strong support
of the Cunninghams. Thoroughly abreast of the times, with
excellent abilities, both natural and carefully trained, Mr.
Cunningham brings to his practice and also to his civic
responsibilities the enthusiasms of youth and the results of
thoughtful preparation, and is rapidly advancing to a strong
position among the legal practicioners of his native state.
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