Pictures of Rochester and Monroe County, NY

James Cunningham (#2)

James Cunningham; died May 15th 1886

Obituary:
His obit in in the Rochester Daily Union and Advertiser of May 18, 1886.

HE IS LAID TO REST

Funeral Services of the Late James Cunningham

An Immense Throng of People Pay the Last Honors to the Remains of One Who was Esteemed by All Who Knew Him.

The funeral of the late James Cunningham was attended this morning by a large concourse of relatives and friends wishing to honor the remains of one of Rochester's eldest and most respected citizens. So great was the demand for conveyance to attend the funeral that at 6 o'clock this morning every hack in the city was engaged and it was even at that hour almost impossible to secure a hack of any description. At 9:30 o'clock a long line of carriages and hacks was formed in front of the family residence on Lake avenue. The funeral procession was headed by a body of men on foot acting as escort for the hearse containing the deceased. The men on foot included nearly 300 men employed at the Cunningham carriage factory and all the employees of Keeler & Jennings, carriage manufacturers. Prominent carriage manufacturers from all over this State and from other States were in attendance. The men in line wore mourning badges. The procession, estimated to have been nearly a mile in length, moved through Lake avenue, State and Platt streets to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Here, after the relatives had entered, the men in line followed and took seats in the center aisle reserved for them. At ten o'clock when the services commenced, the church, including the main floor, galleries and choir gallery, was completely filled, every seat taken and the standing room scarce.

The services were unusually impressive. A solemn requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. James Kiernan, rector of the Cathedral. Very Rev. Monsignor De Reggs acted as deacon and Rev. J.E. Hartley as sub-deacon. Rt. Rev. B.J. McQuaid occupied his throne, and there were also present Rev. James F. O'Hara of the Immaculate Conception Church, Rev. J.F. Stewart of St. Mary's Church, Rev. James Murphy of the Church of the Holy Apostle, Rev. Richard J. Story of Brockport, Rev. Joseph Magin and Rev. James Hartley of the Cathedral, Rev. John Fitzgerald of Charlotte, Rev. Wm. McDonald of Seneca Falls, Rev. James Leary of Honeoye Falls. A number of students at St. Andrew's Seminary assisted at the services. Music was furnished by the church choir. The usual beautiful burial ceremonies of the Catholic Church were carried out, Right Rev. Bishop McQuaid blessing the remains at the close of the Mass.

After the services the funeral cortege moved to the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery where the burial took place. The active bearers were selected from those longest employed at the Cunningham factory. They were John Clements, William Smith, Jacob Zwellel, Samuel J. Koenzi, Duagui McGregor, J. Leahn, Hugh Abbott and Henry Verhoeven. The honorary bearers were Patrick Barry, Owen Gaffney, James McMannis, James O'Donoghue, John C. O'Brien, Andrew Brennan, William Moran and Alexander B. Hone.

The floral tributes were very numerous, including many elaborate and beautiful designs. Among these was the representation of a carriage eight feet four inches long, six feet high and four feet wide, of the style known as the "Double Suspension Victoria," and the flowers used for its construction were roses, pansies, carnations, lilacs and lillies of the valley. This piece is considered by all who saw it as a marvel of floral work. In excellence of design, artistic skill in execution and general effect it is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent floral emblems ever seen in this city. This offering was from working men employed in the Cunningham factory and was constructed by Salter Brothers, the wire forming the framework coming from the establishment of S.E. White, 151 State street. There was also a large cross of white roses with ivy trimming from the family, a white pillow set with immortelles from grandchildren, a beautiful anchor from John Clements, superintendent of the blacksmith department of the factory, an elaborate harp from the clerical force, a combination crescent and wreath from Walter B. Duffy, a large scythe and many other beautiful offerings from various friends.