This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WandaPurcell13 Surnames: Cunningham, Cauble, Cross, Rimbey, McKinney, Kaiser, Rolley Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oklahoma.counties.rogermills/8832/mb.ashx Message Board Post: J.F. Cunningham, one of the pioneers of the Cheyenne and Arapaho country, coming to Roger Mills county in 1892, passed away last Monday afternoon in a Sayre hospital, after an illness of only a few days. Mr. Cunningham's passsing marks the going of one of the real pioneers of the county. He homessteaded a farm northeast of Cheyenne and reared to manhood and womanhood a family that has played an important part in the development of the county. The mother preceded him in death four years ago. Mr. Cunningham became ill last Friday morning and was taken to the Sayre hospital that afternoon where an operation was performed. He became worse Sunday and passed away Monday afternoon. All of the children were preseent except Mrs. Mavis Kaiser of Springfield who had just recently visited her father in Cheyenne. James FelixCunningham was born in Galston (Gaston or Gadsden), Alabama, April 16, 1850, and departed this life August 4, 1930, age 80 years, 3 months and 18 days. When 19 he moved to Henderson County, Texas where he had typhoid fever, the only illness he had ever suffered until the lasst one which was but a few days in duration. In 1873 he was married to Mrs. Mary M. Cauble in Hill County, Texas and to this union elevewn childdren were born, eight of whom survive. He also assisted in the rearing of two step-children. They are Mrs. John Cross of near Cheyenne; Mr. S.H. Rimbey of Cheyenne; Kenneth Cunningham of near Cheyenne; Jesse Cunningham, rural mail carrier of Cheyenne; Judson Cunningham, court clerk of Roger Mills County; Ray Cunningham of near Cheyenne; Bertie McKinney of Elk City and Mavis Kaiser of Colorado. Mr. Cunningham had 20 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great great granchild, Patricia Louise Rolley of Albuquerque, N.M. Mr. Cunningham was a veteran of the Civil War. He had three sons and six grandsons to serve during the great World War. When 32 yeaars of age he was baptized into the Missionaary Baptis church in which faith he believed always. In an early day he preached. During the recent revival he attended every meeting seeming at that time to be happy, well and joyful. He had been a Mason for 55 years being a charter member of the local lodge. (A founding Member of the Lodge in Hood County Texas) The large crowd present a the funeral services Tuesday afternoon at the Baptist church was a testimony of the esteem in which the pioneer and his family hold in the community. To J.F. Cunningham goes the distinction of planting the first cotton ever grown in Cheyenne. Services were coneducted by Rewv. Shirley of Elk City assisted by Rev. Rhoads of Cheyenne. The funeral rites were in charge of the local Masonic Lodgre which was assisted by meembers of that fraternity of Strong City. The remains were laid to rest in the family lot, beneath as mound of flowers in the Cheyenne Cemeetery, Cheyenne, Roger Mills County Oklahoma. The services were under the supervision of the Tunnard's Funeral Home of Cheyenne. Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co., OK Aug-11930 (F.R. Price collections) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.