Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN AUSTIN CUNNINGHAM
J. A. CUNNINGHAM, the well-known
proprietor of the Sacramento Boiler and Iron Works, was born in the Empire
State, in Schenectady, February 4, 1843, and is a son of Thomas N. and Mary
Cunningham. He learned his trade in Philadelphia, and followed it there and in
Albany and Schenectady. In 1868 he came to the Pacific coast, and located in
Sacramento and entered the employ of the railroad company. After remaining in
the shops two years, he established his present business in the railroad
company’s building, and remained there until 1873, when he removed to his
present location on I street, between Front and Second streets. Since then, for
the past seventeen years, he has built up a large and successful business. Such
is his reputation for standard work, that he was awarded the contract for
manufacturing the large boilers, tanks, bins, etc., for the Buffalo Brewing
Company, for their immense brewery in this city. He also held the position of
engineer of the water-works six years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity
and the Knights of Honor. He was married in May, 1882, to Miss Sarah W.
Shields, of Portland, Maine, and they have three children – Addie, Myra and
May.
Transcribed by Vicky
Walker, 11/2/07.
Source: Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated
History of Sacramento County, California. Page 793.
Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007 Vicky Walker.