Cunninghams of Columbus, Part 3

This is one of a series of posts about Maurice and Elizabeth Cunningham, their children and grandchildren, and their lives in Columbus, Wisconsin in the late 1800s. You can find the other posts here: Part 1 (overview), Part 2 (the cemetery), Part 4 (our current state of knowledge) and related posts on Robert Steven Cunningham, the Rooney farm and Wallenstown, Ireland.

The original St. Jerome's church in Columbus, Wisconsin. Note that the bell-tower is bricked up

Columbus during the time of the Cunninghams

The cemetery where the Cunninghams are buried is just a block from the original St. Jerome's church. The modern church is on the edge of town; they expanded and built a school, so they needed more room. The original church still stands, although it's been taken over by a protestant group. It's a lovely old church with beautiful stain-glassed windows. The church was built after the death of Maurice Cunningham, but would have been the church that the other family members attended.

Window of the original St. Jerome's church

The original bell from the church was removed from the old bell tower and is now on display in front of the new church and school on the edge of town.

Original bell from the church of St. Jerome. Cast in 1888.

Columbus itself is a charming, well-preserved town, with a beautiful 19th century downtown and many old houses. Driving through, it was easy to imagine our ancestors living there.

After visiting the cemetery and church, we went to see the Cunningham farm. The land itself is just a corn field, but there is a farm house in the same area as the original Cunningham farm. My mother spoke with the owner. He believes the current house dates to around 1900. There's no record of the Cunningham family living on the farm after 1885, therefore, the house that is there now is probably not part of the Cunningham family history.

The house currently sitting on the Cunningham homestead. Probably post-dates the Cunningham family.

A view of out-buildings and the fields beyond.