Biographies C
Paul Raymond Cunningham
Dr. Paul Raymond Cunningham, an outstanding professional man and member of the dental fraternity of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, has practiced a score of years in Central City and represents the fourth generation of the Cunningham family in Kentucky.
First of the Cunninghams in Kentucky was Dr. Cunningham's great grandfather, William Cunningham, who was born in Bonnie, Scotland, in 1765. William's life had the color of a novel, and established a precedent for spirt and courage in the Cunningham family. A tailor by trade, he left his native land to avoid the compulsory two years' military service demanded. He stowed away on a sailing vessel for a six months's voyage which ended at Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk, Virginia, where he left the ship and the distasteful sailing life to live with a sister in Albemarle County, Virginia.
During the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania, William served as a soldier in the United States Army, but returned to his tailoring occupation. In 1795 he married the daughter of a wealthy planter, and for a time they lived on a small farm in Albemarle County, Virginia. William migrated to Western Kentucky in 1818, and with the assistance of a son and a Negro slave built a house and stable on his property in Trigg County and raised a crop of corn. That same year he disposed of his land in Virginia and brought his family to the new home.
He erected a mill on the present site of Trigg Furnace, and began to cultivate corn and tobacco. William was a pioneer horticulturist of the locality and became owner of a large orchard of fruit trees brought from Virginia which bore fruit for almost 100 years. His well managed, highly productive plantation is now known as the John Crute farm. Kentucky's first Cunningham also found time for public affairs, serving variously as an officer at the first Trigg County election, as a member of the third session of the circuit court and the road commission, in which connection he opened up the public highways in the western part of Trigg County.
William fathered twelve children, of whom Mickins, the seventh child, was the direct genealogical antecedent of Central City's Dr. Cunningham. A farmer, Mickins was a lifelong resident of Trigg County. He had ten children, including Warren C. Cunningham, father of Dr. Cunningham. Warren studied dentistry under a preceptor and acquired a great deal of skill in the profession, which he followed in the latter part of his life in Cadiz, Kentucky. He married Julia Adams, native of Trigg County, who died in 1931.
Dr. Paul R. Cunningham was born October 20, 1901, in Trigg County, and received his early public school education in Cadiz. He completed high school work at Hopkinsville High School, and began the study of dentistry, following the path of his father. In 1924 he was graduated from the University of Louisville with the degree of D.S.S. For a year he served an internship in the City Hospital in Louisville, and then came to Central City.
His natural talent for the profession and pleasing personality quickly won him the respect of the community, and his practice grew rapidly from the outset. His office has maintained a standard of modern equipment, while his professional growth keeps apace. Currently Dr. Cunningham is official dentist to the local Selective Service Board.
Dr. Cunningham is a member of the Delta Sigma Delta, dental professional fraternity, and serves as scribe of the Kentucky branch of the organization. He is a past vice president of the Kentucky State Dental Assocation, of which he is now secretary; and is a member of the American Dental Association. He keeps abreast of the progress constantly being made in his profession.
The position he occupies in his profession is evidenced by the fact that he was selected one of five members from Kentucky to a Fellowship in the International College of Dentists, an honor group of rigidly selected dentists whose membership in America is limited to 500. Membership in the International College warrants use of the degree F.I.C.D.
In other ways Dr. Cunningham is an equally valuable member of the community. He belongs to the Central City Board of Trade, and also is a member of the School Board of Central City. He is a Mason, with his membership in Central City Lodge No. 673, F&A.M.; is a past High Priest of Central City Chapter No. 147, Royal Arch Masons, which he now serves as secretary; is a past Eminent Commander of the Central City Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templar; and is a member of the Rizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Madisonville.
Dr. Cunningham is affiliated with the Baptist Church, and is a Democrat politically.
He married Miss Margie O'Bryan of Hopkinsville in 1934. They have two children, Carol Ann and Nancy O'Bryan. Mrs. Cunningham is active in the Parent-Teachers' Association, of which she is past secretary and president, and in the Woman's Club of Central City.
Dr. Cunningham's professional skill and keen community interest rank him with the leaders and accord him the respect of his community.
Source: Wallis, Frederick A., and Hambleton Tapp, eds. A Sesqui-Centennial History of Kentucky. Vol. 4. Hopkinsville, KY: Historical Record Association, 1945. Pages 1949-1950.
Updated July 6, 2018