1850 Joseph Cunningham (age 26) lived in the household of William Jamison (age 66) in Hopewell, Washington County, Pennsylvania. [1]
1860 Joseph Cunningham (age 35) and Nancy Cunningham (age 29) lived in Hopewell, Washington County, Pennsylvania with Clark Hale (age 11) and John B Ritner (age 20), comm. Sch. Teacher. [2]
1870 Joseph Cunningham (age 45) and Nancy Cunningham (age 39) lived in Hopewell, Washington County, Pennsylvania. [3]
1880 J R Cunningham (age 54) and Nancy Cunningham (age 49) lived in Hopewell, Washington County, Pennsylvania. [4]
1900 Joseph Cunningham (age 76, born Sep 1824) and Nancy Cunningham (age 68, born Mar 1832) lived in Hopewell, Washington County, Pennsylvania. [5]
1910 Widow Nancy M Cunningham (age 78) lived in Hopewell, Washington County, Pennsylvania. [6]
A biosketch of son Joseph Ritner Cunningham, which was mostly about his grandfather, Michael Ritner and his uncle, Governor Joseph Ritner, reported [7]:
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 [grandfather]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 [father] 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 whom a sketch is given.
... [biosketches of Michael Ritner and Governor Joseph Ritner, which includes an extract from a letter which the governor wrote March 22, 1863, to Mrs. Cunningham.] ...
Joseph Ritner 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 lie went with his uncle to Cumberland county, Penn., returning to Washington county in 1846. He then worked six months for William Jamison for $00, 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 shivery. Mrs. Cunningham is a cultured and refined lady, highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance.
[1] United States Federal Census, 1850, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[2] United States Federal Census, 1860, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[3] United States Federal Census, 1870, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[4] United States Federal Census, 1880, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[5] United States Federal Census, 1900, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[6] United States Federal Census, 1910, [FamilySearchImage], [FamilySearchRecord].
[7] J. H. Beers & Co, Pub., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County Pennsylvania (1893), 465-466, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].