Peter L. Cunningham

Peter L. Cunningham
9th Mayor of South Norwalk, Connecticut
In office
1883–1884
Preceded byChristian Swartz
Succeeded byRichard H. Golden
Member of the
Connecticut House of Representatives
from Norwalk
In office
1861–1862
Preceded byWilliam T. Craw, Samuel Olmstead
Succeeded byJosiah Carter, Ebenezer J. Hill
Personal details
Born(1814-08-15)August 15, 1814[1]
New York City[1]
DiedApril 22, 1899(1899-04-22) (aged 84)
Norwalk Hospital
Norwalk, Connecticut
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAmelia Chichester
ChildrenMary
Residence(s)South Norwalk, Connecticut
Signature
Military service
RankLieutenant Colonel[2]
Unit8th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers[2]
Battles/warsAmerican 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]