Cunningham, Anna (Byrnes) 1848-1928

CUNNINGHAM, BYRNES, HOGAN, LEETE, BENNINGTON, BELDEN, SCULLY, MEYERS, STINGER

Posted By: Judy Moyna (email)
Date: 4/17/2011 at 02:32:57

Mrs. Anna Cunningham passed away at her home in Highland Township at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 1, 1928.

Anna Cunningham (nee Byrnes) the daughter of Bridget and Robert Byrnes, was born in County of Monaghan, Ireland, on February 2, 1848.

Her father having died before Anna was one year old, she was brought to this country while still very young. They made their home at Norwalk, Ohio, for two or three years, after which they came to Galena, Illinois by rail, then
to Dubuque, Iowa, by stage, the railroad at that time extending no farther west than Galena. The following spring they came to Elkader, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood.

Being of a bright and ambitious nature she made use of the very limited means of education to be had at that time and prepared herself to teach,
which she did for two or three years.

In November, 1868, she was united in marriage to Michael Cunningham, at Elkader, Iowa. To this union were born nine children. Frank, Willie, Fannie, Nellie, and Robert having preceded her to the Great Beyond years ago. She is
survived by four sons, Joe and Henry at home, George of Decorah, Iowa, and Edward of Chicago. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Kate Hogan of Sioux City, Iowa, Two brothers and one sister preceded her in death. Her husband passed away on September 15, 1911.

After her marriage in November, 1868 she, with her husband, came to Highland township, which has been her home continuously since that time.

She, with her husband, endured all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. These, together with the loss of loved ones made the burden doubly heavy, but with a courage indomitable and a faith unconquerable, they
carried on.

Mrs. Cunningham dearly loved the home, and it was there, surrounded by her children, that she found her greatest delight and happiness. Always living
for the welfare of her loved ones, there was no burden or self sacrifice however great that she would not gladly endure to advance their welfare.
They in turn, inspired by her holy love, left nothing which was within their power, undone, either before or during her illness, which would bring her happiness. To her neighbors and acquaintances, old or young, rich or poor,
she was a true and trusted friend. The kind solicitations of all her neighbors and friends, at all times, attest to the great esteem in which she was held by all who knew her.

Possessed of a keen and analytical mind, she was a great reader and the breadth of her knowledge made her a remarkable conversationalist.

In her sorrowing children who survive her, the sweet, saintly, memory of Mother will live unblemished and undimmed as long as life shall last.

At the end, she was fortified by all the rites of the Catholic Church, in which she was a lifelong member.

The funeral services were held in St. Joseph’s church at Elkader on Saturday morning at 10 o’clock, February 4, 1928, where Father Taken said High Mass, after which she was placed tenderly to rest in St. Joseph’s cemetery.

The pall bearers were Will Leete, Roy Bennington, N. A. Belden, Dan Scully, Albert Meyers and Fred Stinger.

May she rest in peace, is the prayer of her loved ones, and of those who knew her, every one.

Card of Thanks

We wish to express our deepest gratitude to all those who so kindly assisted us during the illness, death, and burial of our beloved Mother. We also wish to express our heartfelt thanks to those who sent the beautiful floral offerings.

--The Clayton County Register, Elkader, Iowa, Thursday, February 9, 1928, p 5