Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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CUNNINGHAM, LEANDER CALVIN -- Born in the eastern part of Tennessee, July 10, 1810, youngest of the nine children of James and Margaret (Cunningham) Cunningham. The Family moved to Alabama in 1815 and at Hanceville, Cullman County, Alabama, Leander C. Cunningham was admitted to the bar. He came to Texas in 1833, as is stated in the Headright Certificate issued to him by the Bastrop County Board, and settled at Bastrop, where he was one of the first, if not the first, practitioner of law. His father settled at Bastrop in 1837 and there the father died in 1844.
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Mr. Cunningham was a member of Captain Jesse Billingsley's Company of "Mina (Bastrop) Volunteers" at San Jacinto, and on June 6, 1838, he was issued Donation Certificate No. 293 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. At the same time he received Bounty Certificate No. 3713 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836.
After the revolution Mr. Cunningham engaged in the mercantile business. He later served three terms as county judge of Bastrop County. In 1860 he moved to Alleyton, Colorado County, where he engaged in the commission business. He purchased many Confederate bonds, and in consequence was wrecked financially. In 1866 he moved to Columbus. In 1874 he became the first agent at Waelder, Gonzales County, for the Southern Pacific Railroad, holding that position for fourteen years.
Judge Cunningham was married in 1888 at Bastrop to Mrs. Ann (Sloan) Slaughter, widow of Mr. Slaughter and daughter of Bryan and Nan (King) Sloan. Mrs. Cunningham was born near Frankfort, Kentucky, and died at Waelder, June 19, 1895. Judge Cunningham died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. G. Walker, in Seguin, December 24, 1896. He was a member of the Texas Veteran's Association. His remains were shipped to Waelder and placed in the cemetery there by the side of those of his wife.
Children of Judge and Mrs. Cunningham were Ann Dursilla, who died at the age of eight; James Louis, who was married to Henrietta Manlove; Andrew David, who was never married; Maria Caroline, who was married to Dr. J. G. Walker of Seguin; Harriett, who was married to Ibzan W. Middlebrook of Columbus; and Virginia Frances Cunningham who was married to Benjamin M. Baker of Columbus.
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Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.
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Battle Statistics
- Died in Battle: No
- Rank: Private
- Company: Capt. Jesse Billingsley
Personal Statistics
- Alternate Names: L.S.
- Date of Birth: 1810 Jul 10
- Birthplace: Tennessee
- Origin: Alabama
- Came to Texas: 1833 Apr
- Date of Death: 1896 Dec 24
- Burial Place: Waelder, Texas
- Bounty Certificate: 3713
- Donation Certificate: 293
- Profession: Lawyer, merchant, judge
- Wife: Ann Sloan Slaughter
- Children: Ann Dursilla Cunnkngham; James Louis Cunningham; Andrew David Cunningham; Maria Caroline Cunningham Walker; Harriet Jane Cunningham Middlebrook; Virginia Frances Cunningham Baker
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