Wilbur M. Cunningham

Wilbur Morrill Cunningham (February 4, 1886 – January 14, 1974) was an American football player and coach, attorney, historian and author.

Biographical details
Born(1886-02-04)February 4, 1886
Benton Harbor, Michigan
DiedJanuary 14, 1974(1974-01-14) (aged 87)
Benton Harbor, Michigan
Playing career
1907–1910Michigan
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1912Kentucky University
Head coaching record
Overall0–7

Early years

Cunningham was born in 1886 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. His father, George Cunningham, was a New York native and an insurance agent.

Cunningham attended the University of Michigan where he studied law played college football for Fielding H. Yost's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1907 to 1910.[1] He graduated from Michigan's Law Department as part of its Class of 1912.[2]

During the fall of 1912, he served as the head coach of the Kentucky University football team.[3]

Later years

After completing his legal education, Cunningham opened a law practice in his hometown of Benton Harbor, Michigan. When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Cunningham closed his legal practice and began serving on active duty in the United States Navy. He served with the rank of lieutenant in the paymaster's department and aboard the USS Massachusetts. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1919, he returned to Benton Harbor and resumed his law practice.[4] He served two terms as prosecuting attorney for Berrien County from 1929 to 1933 and for 23 years from 1933 to 1956 as the city attorney of Benton Harbor, Michigan.[5]

Cunningham was also a noted historian, author and archeologist specializing in Native American artifacts.[6][7] In 1961, he published "Land of Four Flags: An Early History of the St. Joseph Valley," a history of southwestern Michigan.[8][9]

Cunningham died in 1974 at age 89 and was buried at the Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor, Michigan.[10][11]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Transylvania Pioneers (Independent) (1912)
1912 Transylvania 0–7
Transylvania: 0–7
Total:0–7
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References
  1. "University of Michigan Football Rosters". University of Michigan. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  2. Calendar of the University of Michigan 1912–1913. University of Michigan. 1913. p. 443.
  3. "Cunningham Succeeds Levine". The Courier-Journal. May 12, 1912. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Back to Law After Service with Uncle Sam". The News-Palladium. February 20, 1919. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "W. M. Cunningham Plans Retirement". The News-Palladium. August 21, 1956. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Wilbur Knew How We Felt While He Was Still Alive". The News-Palladium. January 16, 1974. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Howard Holmes (April 8, 1967). "Atty. Cunningham Is 'Top Citizen'". The Herald-Press – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Land of Four Flags: an Early History of the St. Joseph Valley". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  9. "Local Attorney To Be Honored: Wilbur Cunningham Marks 50 Years As Lawyer". The News-Palladium. September 19, 1962. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Distinguished BH Lawyer-Author Cunningham Dies". The Herald-Press. January 15, 1974. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Leut Wilbur Morrill Cunningham". Find a Grave.com. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
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