Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
CUNNINGHAM, John
CUNNINGHAM, John. (Kill, County of Waterford, Ireland--Dubuque, IA, 1879). Cunningham came to Dubuque early in its history and established with a partner the community's first clothing store around 1826. His partner left with a considerable amount of money on a trip to St. Louis to purchase supplies and was never seen again. Cunningham then closed the business and moved to Key West.
Cunningham was remembered locally for bringing the wood needed for his house by scow from St. Louis. The journey, made alone, took nine weeks. It was said that his name with a pledge of $100 was the first on the subscription list to construct ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL and that his wife was the first woman to enter the church.
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Source:
"Death of John Cunningham," Dubuque Herald, December 6, 1879, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18791209&printsec=frontpage&hl=en