Wm. Cundill, Sr(1816-1905)

CUNDILL, JOINER

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 7/4/2008 at 01:23:30

Jackson Sentinel, April 6, 1905

CUNDILL. – Wm. Cundill, Sr., born July 7, 1816, at Chatham, Kent, England, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. O. W. Joiner at Buckhorn, of old age, March 28, 1905, aged 88 years, 8 mos, 21 days. His father Rev. John Cundill, minister of the Unitarian Baptist church of Chatham, England, was killed in a steamboat explosion and young Cundill a lad of 10 years henceforth was the architect of his own fortune. At 11 years of age Wm. Cundill was apprenticed to a tailor, who proved to be a brutal, drunken tyrant. In due time obtaining his discharge he was apprenticed to another tailor, who was helpful to the youth and with whom he completed his time.

Like many another child in England in those days, Wm. Cundill never had any school advantages after he was nine years of age. His charming powers of expressing himself in prose and verse, were acquired by diligent and earnest private study. In 1843 Wm. Cundill was married to Mary Pindar in England. Finding it difficult to maintain an honest business and prosper in his native land, came to America in 1850 and settled at Welton, Ia. In 1855 he moved to Maquoketa and engaged in business. From the day he settled in Maquoketa, he has been identified with the best interests of the city. Some time after his arrival here he was made librarian of the Boardman library and the few books and magazines that formed the nucleus of our now quite extensive collection were kept in his tailor shop. His services as librarian were given gratuitously. It was largely through his influence that Mr. Boardman was induced to leave money for the establishment and extension of the library known by his name.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cundill, three sons, John, Frank and William, and one daughter, Charlotte, Mrs. O. W. Joiner. John and Frank with their mother passed to the other world before their father.

Wm. Cundill was an honest upright, kindly man, a good citizen and one of the pioneers of Maquoketa. His cheerful, somewhat picturesque personality will be missed from our streets and social life. He leaves his son, Wm. Cundill, his daughter, Mrs. O. W. Joiner, a number of grandchildren and other relatives to mourn his loss.

Funeral services were held at the home of his son, Wm. Cundill, Jr., on West Pleasant street, on Thursday, March 30th, at 3:00 p.m., Rev. G. C. Chandler officiated, assisted by Rev. J. F. Black. The remains were interred in Mt. Hope cemetery.