Person:John Cunningham (1)

Came from north of Ireland with parents to Canada. Was involved in municipal affairs, serving many years on county council, board of health, and as reeve and warden of the county. Was ardent conservative, Presbyterian in religion and member of Melville Church, Fergus. Also member of Temperance Lodge in Ennotville. Helped establish library at Ennotville and key to library was kept at their home.^S1

The following obituary appeared:^S1

There passed away last Thursday morning, April 23st, 1910, at his home in Ennotville, one of Nichol's oldest and most highly esteemed residents, in the person of Mr. John Cunningham.

He was assisting his wife to work the churn, when without a moments warning he dropped dead. Mrs. Cunningham who was in the same room with him, ran to his assistance, and Dr. Armstrong was called, but could do nothing, the spark of life having fled.

Born at Lairn, near Belfast, Ireland, 81 years ago, he emigrated in 1832 with his parents to Canada settling on the old homestead where he lived all his life.

On July 27, 1855, he married Christina Sherratt, and four years ago celebrated their golden wedding. Thirteen children blessed the union, eleven of whom, with a sorrowing widow, survive to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate husband and father. The children are Mrs. William Robinson (Mary) of Woodstock; John of Nanaimo, B.C.; Archie of West Toronto; Robert at home; William of Orofino, Idaho; Mr. Wiley (Tina) of Pierson, Man.; Alex and Thos. of Nanaimo; Andrew at home; Joseph of West Toronto and Mrs. Hawthorne (Minnie) of Greenoch.

Mr. Cunningham always took an active part in public life was ni council for several years and filled the position of Reeve, was on the school board, unil a few years ago as a member of the board of health. He was a strong Conservative, and a meber of Melville Presbyterian Church. The funeral on Saturday to Belsyde Cemetery was largely attended showing the esteem in which he was held.

Much sympathy is expressed for the aged widow and sorrowing family in their sudden bereavement.

The following obituary also appeared possibly in the Woodstock Sentinel Review:^S1

"Death of a Pioneer" - Fergus, April 30. The sudden death of Mr. John Cunningham at Ennotville at the ripe age of 81 years removes another of the old pioneers of Nichol Township. Coming with his parents from the north of Ireland 76 years ago he had seen all the changes incidental to the transformation of the country from the primeval forest to fruitful fields and did his share of the work. He was the owner of a fine farm on which he died. Formerly he took an active part in municipal affairs, serving for many years on the county council, board of health and as reeve and warden of the county. In politics he was an ardent Conservative, in religion a Presbyterian, being a member of Melville Church, Fergus, and a regular attendant. The funeral was a large one and took place to Belsyde Cemetery, Fergus. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to his sorrowing wife and family in their bereavement. Mrs. Wm. Robsinson, 241 Dundas Street and Mrs H. H. Benner, Wellington Street, Woodstock are daughters. [Mrs. Robinson was a daughter, and Mrs. Benner a granddaughter.]

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Benner, Mark. Benner, Mark, notes.

   family group sheet for John Cunningham and Christina Sherratt