Armstead H. Cunningham, the leading merchant at Forty Eight, Tenn., was born in this State in 1850, and is the son of John R. and Grace (Kimmens) Cunningham, of Tennessee birth. The father was a farmer by occupation, a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, a Democrat in politics, and lived in Hickman County until his death, which occurred about 1874. Our subject’s juvenile days were spent on a farm. He lived with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he began life for himself, teaching and clerking. In 1874 he purchased Samuel H. William’s stock of goods at Centerville, Tenn., and did business in that place three years, one year being devoted to the hotel and livery business. He lost considerable property by fire, but, altogether, his career in that place was a success financially. For the next two years he was connected with the commission house of Mellen, Brown & Co, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1876 was married to Laura E. Clagett, daughter of Horatio and Elizabeth (Montgomery) Clagett. Mrs. Cunningham was born in Tennessee, in 1855, and immediately after her marriage she and Mr. Cunningham took an extended tour East, visiting New York, Pittsburgh, the Centennial Exposition and Niagara Fall. After their return Mr. Cunningham engaged in the mercantile business in Forty Eight, where he has since been successfully engaged. He is also postmaster of the town, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. They have four children: John H., Southern S., Walker M., and James R. A remarkable feature of the family is that from the fourth generation there has never been a female child born into the family. They are of English descent.