L. D. Cunningham, a well known farmer and stock raiser of the Tenth District, was born in White County, July 2, 1837, the youngest child of Edmond and Nancy (Anderson) Cunningham. The father was born in Virginia June 5, 1792, and married November 11, 1814. He came to White County about 1810, and engaged in farming, stock raising and making brandy and whisky. He was a Whig and an industrious, thrifty man. He accumulated considerable property. His death occurred June 2, 1858. The mother was born May 4, 1795. They were of Scotch-Irish descent, both faithful members of the Baptist Church. Our subject spent his early days on the farm, receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood. In 1857 or 1858 he began agricultural pursuits on his own responsibility. In 1863 he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-eighth Tennessee Infantry, under Gen. Cheatham. He took part in several battles, one of which was at Murfreesboro. He was a brave and gallant soldier. In 1860 he married Martha, daughter of John and Hannah (Moore) Mitchell, of White County. Mrs. Cunningham died November 3, 1872. February 14, 1874, our subject wedded America, daughter of Jesse and J. (Shockley) Dodson, of White County. To this union four sons and two daughters have been born, two sons deceased. Mrs. Cunningham is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Cunningham is a believer in religion but is not connected with any church. He is a stanch Democrat.

Source:   Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of the Counties of White, Warren, Coffee, DeKalb, and Cannon, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.