JOSEPH RITNER CUNNINGHAM. Foremost in the ranks of those who have hewed their way to success, and are now standing in positions of honor and trust, stands the subject of this sketch. He is a worthy representative of a cultured and intellectual family, who were of Irish ancestry. Dr. Cunningham was born in the Emerald Isle, and received a thorough medical education at Dublin University. He came to America at an early day, and settling in Washington borough, Penn., soon obtained a lucrative practice, leaving a considerable property to his children. Gustavus Cunningham was a son of Dr. Cunningham, and learned the tailor's trade. In early life he was married to Elizabeth, a sister of Gov. Joseph Ritner, and she bore him four children, viz.: Sarah (wife of James Denny, Iowa), Matilda (married to David Le Fevre, Cumberland county, Penn.), Catherine (widow of Henry Canarr, of Iowa), and Joseph Ritner. The father died when his youngest son was yet an infant, and the mother married again, giving her babe to the care of his uncle, Joseph Ritner, of a whom a sketch is given. Joseph Ritner was a son of Michael Ritner (maternal grandfather of Mr. Cunningham). Michael was born in Germany, and after coming to this country, adopted the cause of the persecuted colonists. He enlisted in the Revolutionary war, fighting gallantly under Gen. Washington, and at the battle of Long Island, swam across the sound, carrying his musket by its strap in his mouth. He then returned to Schuylkill, Penn., and followed the weaver's trade for some time; but his martial spirit rebelled against the monotony of private life, and once again the German patriot shouldered arms in defense of his adopted country. He participated in the siege of Yorktown, and was present at Cornwallis' surrender in 1781, the crowning triumph of the war. Joseph Ritner was born March 25, 1780, on the Schuylkill, in a village now included in the city of Philadelphia. He soon proved himself a worthy son of his brave and patriotic father, and when the war of 1812 began he was numbered with the earliest volunteers, serving six months with Harrison and Scott. Soon after his marriage, Joseph Ritner came to Washington county, and purchasing 140 acres began, with characteristic energy, the task of clearing it. His early neighbors afterward loved to tell how the sound of his axe was heard far into the night, as his stout arms cleared the forest, while the faithful wife, no less persevering than her husband, stood by his side, burning brush, that he might see to work. Such as indomitable nature as he possessed knows no such word as fail, but ever climbing higher and higher, pauses not till the pinnacle of success is attained. Prosperity came to Joseph Ritner. Fortune smiled upon him, and his axe was heard no more in the forest, for men had need of the mighty intellect which had been fitted and strengthened for herculean tasks by early development of the muscular powers, no less than by intellectual training. Great questions were before the people, a crisis in the history of the United States and of the New World was rising before the people, and confusion reigned supreme. Leaders must be found, men of power who could guide the swaying mass of struggling humanity into at least a semblance of order, and such men are ever rare. Among the few who instantly responded to the agonized call of their suffering country, and bending all their powers of soul and body to the mighty task, brought some order out of the chaos and a faint light from the midnight darkness of the impending rebellion -- among these heroes is enrolled the name of Joseph Ritner. From the beginning of the struggle, his influence was exerted on the side of freedom, being bitterly opposed to the extension of the slave trade, and eventually opposing secret societies. He was elected to the Legislature six times in succession, serving three times as speaker, and having once been elected by the unanimous vote of the House. It is said that while serving as speaker, not one of his rulings was ever reversed, an enviable and unusual distinction for a man in that position, and especially among the exciting scenes then transpiring. He was afterward elected as governor, evincing in that responsible position the same traits which had characterized his services in minor offices. He was a member of the College of Electors on the Whig ticket of 1840, taking an active part in the campaign of that year. He possessed the warm personal friendship of Gen. Harrison, who, after his inauguration as President appointed him treasurer of the Mint. The Senate declined to confirm the appointment, an act said to be due to Gov. Ritner's opposition to the Masonic Fraternity. At last the storm, which had been gathering for years above the Nation's sky, burst with tremendous violence, all the pent-up rage, jealousy and pride of a divided people swept furiously over the puny barriers erected, wrath and passion ruled the hour, Ft. Sumter fell, and the great Rebellion had begun at last. Gov. Ritner had then grown old in the service of his country, his hair was whitened with the snow of more than eighty years, but the fire of youth flashed from the eyes of the aged veteran as he sprang to arms when the cannon of Fort Sumter sounded on his ears. Eagerly the gallant soldiers rallied around the standard of their white-haired colonel, who led them to Harrisburg, Penn., and there tendered his services to the Government. But his age proved an insurmountable objection, and the noble warrior-statesman was forced to accept the less dangerous, and yet scarcely less important, position of an honored counselor to the active workers in the great struggle. Although prohibited from active participation, the veteran continued to watch the terrible conflict with unabated zeal. His attitude toward the belligerent States is best illustrated by an extract from a letter which he wrote March 22, 1863, to Mrs. Cunningham. He wrote as follows: "If I live until the day after to-morrow I will be eighty-three years old. My health is good, I am free from aches and pains of all kinds. God has been very kind and will good to me thus far, and I hope and trust that He will permit me to live to see this wicked, unholy, Godless and causeless rebellion crushed, so that I may leave the world and my country in peace, united and prosperous under the best government vouchsafed to man in any part of the world." His prayer was answered,and he passed away in his ninety-fifth year, having seen the end of the great struggle which had filled so much of his life. Gov. Ritner possessed deep and sincere piety, more than ordinary intelligence, remarkable perceptive power, and was firm in every conviction of duty. He had an iron constitution, robust frame, and wonderful vitality. Words can not do justice to the life of this heroic patriot, brilliant statesman, valued citizen and consecrated Christian man. Joseph Ritter Cunningham was born September 18, 1824, in Chartiers township, Washington Co., Penn., and remained with his illustrious uncle during his minority, receiving a good English education. In 1839 he went with his uncle to Cumberland county, Penn., returning to Washington county in 1846. He then worked six months for William Jamison for $60, receiving $9.50 per month the latter part of the year. From these scanty wages he managed to save some money, and the next year rented the farm and fixtures, which he worked for one-third of the crops, receiving $10 per month when not busied with the crops. The following year he rented the farm for three seasons, paying an annual cash rent of $250. At the expiration of that time he rented a farm near West Middletown, this county, and marrying Miss Nancy Meloy, November 19, 1857, began housekeeping. The young people resided there three years, when he purchased a farm in Buffalo township, this county, where he lived three years, then selling out, bought his present well-cultivated farm of 179 acres, situated near Buffalo village. Mr. Cunningham has been a very successful business man, having amassed a comfortable competence, but unlike many who have achieved success in this life, he has not neglected to prepare for a future home, and lay foundations for a "house not made with hands." He and his wife are devoted members of the United Presbyterian church at West Middletown, Penn., taking an active interest in both church and Sabbath-school work. He has served as a member of the board of trustees, also attended to much of the financial business of the church, and has ever given liberally to the support and upbuilding of the cause of Christianity. Political life has no charm for Mr. Cunningham, although he evinces an intelligent interest in the leading questions of the day. He was formerly a Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party espoused its principles, being a strong opponent of slavery. Mrs. Cunningham is a cultured and refined lady, highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance.

Text taken from page 465 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed July 1997 by Linda Vourlogianes of Petaluma, CA as part of the Beers Project. Published July 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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