Russell McWhortor Cunningham

Russell McWhortor Cunningham

Russell McWhortor Cunningham (born August 25, 1855 in Mount Hope , Lawrence County , Alabama , † June 6, 1921 in Birmingham , Alabama) was an American politician and Governor of Alabama from 1904 to 1905 . Cunningham was a member of the Democratic Party .

Early years

Russell Cunningham attended schools in his home country and taught at the age of 17. He studied medicine, graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1879, and was admitted to the Alabama State Penitentiary , a reformatory, as a doctor in 1881 . At the time he also moved to Wetumpka . He then worked in 1885 as a doctor and surgeon for the Tennessee Coal, Iron, and Railroad Company and as a doctor for the Alabama Steel and Ship Building Company .

Political career

Cunningham began his political career in 1880 in the House of Representatives from Alabama , where he served until 1881. He was also a member of the Alabama Senate between 1896 and 1900 and its chairman in 1899. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1901, as well as Lieutenant Governor of Alabama between 1901 and 1904.

Cunningham took over because of the failure of Governor William D. Jelks , who could no longer perform his duties as governor due to a serious illness, on April 25, 1904 his duties. He held office for nearly ten months and resigned on March 5, 1905, when Governor Jelks returned to office. Cunningham became lieutenant governor again and remained so until 1907.

He failed with his candidacy in the democratic primary elections of 1906 for the office of governor.

Another résumé

Cunningham returned to his medical practice in Ensley and was elected Birmingham's first medical officer in 1914. He died on June 6, 1921 and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham. Cunningham was married twice, to Sue L. Moore and Annice Taylor. The result of these connections was a child.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Russell Cunningham at the National Governors Association (English)
• The Political Graveyard (English)
• Russell Cunningham McWhortor in the database of Find a Grave (English)