Peter L. Cunningham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9th Mayor of South Norwalk, Connecticut | |
| In office 1883–1884 | |
| Preceded by | Christian Swartz |
| Succeeded by | Richard H. Golden |
| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk | |
| In office 1861–1862 | |
| Preceded by | William T. Craw, Samuel Olmstead |
| Succeeded by | Josiah Carter, Ebenezer J. Hill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 15, 1814[1] New York City[1] |
| Died | April 22, 1899 (aged 84) Norwalk Hospital Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Amelia Chichester |
| Children | Mary |
| Residence(s) | South Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel[2] |
| Unit | 8th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers[2] |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War[2] |
Peter L. Cunningham (August 14, 1814 – April 22, 1899) was a one-term mayor of South Norwalk, Connecticut in 1883.
He was born in New York City on August 14, 1814.[1] He came to Old Well (now South Norwalk), Connecticut in the spring of 1834.[1]
In 1840, he organized the First Rifle Company (known as the Mohican Rifle Corps) of the Ninth Regiment, Fourth Brigade, C.S.S.[1] He was its commander for several years.[1]
In 1858, he was appointed colonel on the staff of Governor William A.Buckingham.[1]
In 1861, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Eighth Connecticut Volunteers, but resigned the commission after four months with an honorable discharge.[1] In that same year, he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk. He was a member of the Military Committee of the Legislature of Connecticut.[1] In that committee, he proposed that $3 million should be appropriated for the defense of the Union. That proposal was passed by both chambers of the legislature.[1] Another $3 million would subsequently be approved.[1]
From 1877 to 1879, Cunningham served on the South Norwalk City Council as its senior member.[1] He served as mayor from 1883 to 1884.[1]
He served as a director on the boards of the Central Nation Bank, the First National Bank, and the Norwalk Gas Company.[1]
Associations
- Member (May 11, 1843), Noble Grand (January 1843); Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Our Brothers Lodge, No. 10[1]
- Charter Member (September 17, 1845), Kalosa Encampment[1]
- Grand Patriarch of the State of Connecticut (1853, 1854)[1]
- Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of the United States, held at Baltimore, Md. (1854 and 1855)[1]
- Grand Master of the State of Connecticut (1869, 1870)[1]
- Grand Representative to the United States Grand Lodge held at Chicago and Baltimore (1870, 1871)[1]
- Member, St. John’s Lodge, No. 6 of Free and Accepted Masons, Norwalk. (April 29, 1847)[1]
- Member, Clinton Commandery, Norwalk (February 11, 1853)[1]
- Royal Arch Mason[1]
- Knights Templar[1]
Death
On April 22, 1899, Cunningham died suddenly while vising the Norwalk Hospital to view the building under construction.[1] He fell while walking down a decline at the back of the building, and died shortly thereafter.[1] The cause of death was believed to be apoplexy.[1]