JOSEPH CARSON CUNNINGHAM
Bio- Sawyers
SURNAMES: GOODING, EASTERDAY, GRAVES,
A successful orchardist of Santa Clara, who crossed the plains when
only a small boy of nine years and who with his parents settled in
Santa Clara County, was the late Joseph Carson Cunningham, who passed
away at his home October 27, 1918. He was the son of Joseph Cunningham, a native of Tennessee, while his mother, Mary Jane Goodding, was a native of Missouri.
Joseph Cunningham was the fifth generation of the Cunningham family who
followed farming for a livelihood. In 1863 he sold his farm and removed
to California, settling first in Solano County in 1864 and remained
there until 1881, when he removed with his family to Santa Clara
County. He purchased at that time a ranch containing about thirty-two
acres and set it out to orchards of prunes, pears, apples, apricots,
and grapes. Here he and his wife resided until their death.
Joseph Carson Cunningham was born in Missouri, November 2, 1849, and
was but a small lad when his parents brought him across the plains to
California. He came to San Jose in 1881, and here he was married to
Miss Nancy J. Easterday, who was born and reared in San Jose, a
daughter of Solomon W. Easterday, one of the early business men of San
Jose. After her husband's death, Mrs. Cunningham resided on the farm
until she passed away, February 21; 1921. Their union was blessed with
two children: Vida L. is the wife of Roy E. Graves and they reside in
San Jose; Frank L., since his father's death has had charge of and
operates the orchards. He is a member of Saratoga Lodge No. 428, I. 0.
0. F., of which he is a past grand. Joseph C. Cunningham took a deep
interest in the affairs of the community in which he resided for so
many years, and served as school trustee of the Saratoga district for
nine years. His home place in which he took much pride consists of
fifteen acres of the finest soil and the best improvements that years
will produce and he made a splendid success as an orchardist. Always
enthusiastic over the resources of Santa Clara County, he supported all
movements for its advancement and prosperity.
Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922.page 1249
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