Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-14
BELFAST.
Death Of John Osborn Cunningham,
Belfast's Oldest Citizen.

Belfast, Me-, May 13.-(SpeciaD.-
John Osborn Cunningham, died early
this morning at his home in this city
after weeks illness. He was the
oldest resident of Belfast and would
have been 101 years of age had he
lived until June 80 Up to within
week of his death he was apparently
as well as usual and in full possession
of his faculties. His mind was keen
and alert and although for the past
two years he had hardly been away
from the house he had been able to
enjoy his last days. Only three years
ago when IS years old he sawed three
cords of wood and would have split it
had not his family objected fearing it
would tax his strength,
Mr. Cunningham was born in 1907
in the County Denagoal, Ireland, his
parents being Daniel and Annie
(Oliver) Cunningham. He was chris
tened in the st. Patrick's church by
Father Murphy. His parents intended
to call him Osborn Porter but the
priest wished them to follow the
Catholic custom of naming child
born on saints day after the saint.
Being born on st. Johns day, he was
christened John Osborn Cunningham.
He came to America when he was rs
years old. He was for many years
gardener and one of the best. This
work in the open air so near to nature
nearly all his life is no doubt one of
the reasons for his longevity and
strength. He settled in Calais when
he first came to Maine afterwards
living in Machias. Bangor. and Sears
port. He came to Belfast about so
years ago and had since made this
city his home Besides his gardening
work he had worked on many Of the
buildings in the city including the
court house and other public build
ings His garden was one of the best
in the city and his produce always
found ready market
He married Miss Nancy Hammonds
of MachiaS and nine children were
born to them. His wife died about 20
years ago and two of the children have
also preceded him. Those who sur
vivc are James. Eliza and Cornneilas
of Belfast: Mrs Mary Ellen Bennett,
of South Berwick, and Mrs. Annie
near Portland
High mass will be held at 10 o'clock
Thursday morning in the Catholic
church on Court street. by Rev. II. II.
Lawmakers. a choir is expected from
Ellsworth.
The sons and daughter have the
sympathy of the community and of his
daughter Eliza, whose years of faith
full care and administering have made
her fathers last years one of comfort
and ease too much cannot be said in
ccmmendation Her every thought has
Leen for her aged parent and no sacri-
flee has been too great for her to make
for his sake.
The newly organized castle OF
Knights of King Arthur, Castle Waldo
of the Methodist church will have their
second regular meeting at their castle
Friday night There is d prospect that
a castle will be organized in the Trlh
ity Reformed church in East Belfast
and also one in Brooks. This work
is growing very rapidly in Maine. The
first castle to be organized in this city
was Castle North of the North Con-
gregational church and it is consider
ed one of the most flouriShing in the
State. The pastor. Rev. d. L. Wilson
was recently installed Marquis of
Maine, an honor to the castle which
the boys fully appreciate.