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DEATH CAME TO HIM SUDDENLYDr. William C. Cunningham, Jr. Health Officer-Once Mayor,Expires after Illness of Short Duration _______________________ Dr. William C. Cunningham, Jr., Health Officer and former Mayor of Bay City, Michigan died suddenly about 9:30am yesterday morning from heart disease, dropsy and complications at age 50. He had been in poor health for years and was well-known and well-liked in both the city and the county. Three years ago he was given up to die. He recovered and until a few days ago was in fairly good health. Dr. Cunningham died with absolutely no fear of approaching death. A few days ago, while talking to a Tribune reporter of the fact that he might die at any moment, he said in his characteristic vein,
Dr. Cunningham, Jr. is survived by a widow and three children; four brothers, Walter C. Cunningham, MD/DDS of Bay City, Michigan; Robert S. Cunningham, DDS and Archibald C. Cunningham, DDS of Detroit, Michigan; and John C. Cunningham of Alameda, California. Dr. William C. Cunningham, Jr. was born in Scotland in 1856. He came with his father to Canada in 1860. In 1870 the family moved to Vassar, Michigan and Dr. Cunningham, Jr. entered the University of Michigan, graduating in 1876 from the Law Department at the age of 20. He practiced Law in Bay City, West Branch and Alpena, Michigan. He was not satisfied with Law and for a time published the Alpena Evening Echo and reported on Saginaw newspapers. He was also elected to the Alpena Board of Education. When Oklahoma Territory was opened up, he was appointed as Land Commissioner by President Grover Cleveland and also served as a United States Deputy Marshal in the West. He was married in 1878 to Miss Jane Amelia Waters of Ann Arbor, Michigan. After returning to Bay City, he studied medicine in the Saginaw Medical College and upon graduation, practiced twelve years here. In 1901 he was elected Mayor of Bay City on the Democratic ticket and upon the expiration of his term was made a member of the Board of Health. For the past several years, he was the City's Health Officer. He made a hard fight against not only the epidemics he had to contend with, but his own physical infirmities. Dr. Cunningham was a man who made many friends. He was known everywhere he went for his courtesy, as well as his unfailing humor, wit and optimism. In fact, the latter quality stood out all over him and his friends never knew a dull moment when he was near. His humor was of the spontaneous kind and his ready wit enlivened every gathering he attended. He was never at a loss for well chosen short speeches and he was never so much at home as when presiding in the Council or at political meetings. As a result, he was much in demand for such occasions. |
Additional Notes.
History of Bay County, Mich. - Gansser, 1905. Dr. Cunningham was mayor of Bay City in 1902-03.
1880 - Census: Bay City, Bay, Mich.
1881/2 - Directory: Bay City, Mich.
1883 - Directory: Bay City, Mich.
1890/91 - Directory: Bay City, Mich.
1894 - Census: Bay City, Bay, Mich.
1900 - Census: Bay City, Bay, Mich.
1902 - The Nucleolus - Saginaw Valley Medical College - March, 1902
Related Note & Pages |
![]() Dr. Wm. C. Cunningham Mayor of Bay City Related Pages: Internet: ![]() | People Referenced |
Cleveland, Grover (President)
Cunningham, Alan (son) Cunningham, Archibald (bro) Cunningham, Daisy (dau.) Cunningham, Grace (sis) Cunningham, Grace (g-dau) Cunningham, John C. (bro) Cunningham, Lizzie (sis) Cunningham, Robert S. (bro) Cunningham, Roberta (g-dau) Cunningham, Rosa Mrs. -- (d-inlaw) Cunningham, Walter c. (bro) Cunningham, Walter W. (son) Cunningham, Wm. (father) Cunningham, Wm. C. (subject) Semer, Mr. (s-inlaw) Waters, Jane Amelia (wife) | Subjects Referenced |
Alameda, CA
Alpena Board of Education Alpena Eveing Echo Alpena, MI Ann Arbor, MI Bay City Mayor Bay City Tribune Board of Health member Canada Democrat Detroit, MI Health officer Land commissioner Lawyer Oklahoma Territory Saginaw Medical College Saginaw newspapers Scotland U.S. Deputy Marshall Univ. of Michigan Vassar, MI West Branch, MI |
Internet References |
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WRITINGS: History As It Was Written Then. |