Cunningham, Renzo 'Ren' 1884-abt 1902

CUNNINGHAM, NOONEY

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 8/10/2013 at 06:16:05

Alton Democrat of April 22, 1905 and Rock Valley Bee of April 14, 1905

Rock Valley Bee: When there was call to arms Renzo Cunningham offered his services and went to the far east to do his share in putting down the war in the Philippine islands, in an unfortunate moment he was drowned. The flooded waters bore his body over sixty miles down the stream where it was found and given a soldier's burial. This was the summer of 1900 (about 1902or1903). The United States government recently disinterred the soldier boy's body and sent it back home for final disposition by relatives.

The father and mother of deceased died here their home in an early day about eighteen years ago and are sleeping side by side in the catholic cemetery south of town. Renzo's remains arrived and services were conducted from the catholic church Sunday Rev. Father O'Reilly officiating. An escort of veterans of the civil war, together with Tom, Kent and Jim Hogan—Spanish-American veterans and a concourse of relatives and friends followed the remains to the cemetery where a short service was held. He was given a soldier's honors as far as possible in the re-interment.

Thomas Cunningham of Mitchell South Dakota and Eugene Cunningham of Eagle Grove—brothers of the deceased were the only relatives present.

(The Sioux County Herald of April 12, 1905, page 1, reported that he had died two years ago which would have been about 1903. He is noted in the Sioux County headstone index as Rennie Cunningham 1884-1902. His father Peter 1846-1884 and Mother (Mary Ellen Nooney) 1849-1899. His mother’s obit is on line here as noted from the Rock Valley Bee of Dec 20, 1899. There is an extensive letter home in the Rock Valley Bee of July 3, 1902 that explains his activities in the Philippine conflict )