"The Janesville Daily Gazette", Janesville, Wisconsin, Tuesday, Apr. 6, 1954, p 1.
Roger G. Cunningham, 63, a prominent attorney here for 38 years and one of Janesville's most widely admired citizens, died at 10:45 p.m. Monday in a hospital at Rochester, Minn., where he had been a patient since March 24. He underwent surgery last Friday and appeared to be making a good recovery until he was stricken with a heart attack at 8 p.m. Monday. He had been in failing health for several months but was able to continue his law practice on a shortened schedule of office hours. His wife and daughter were with him at the time of his death.
For 13 years, 1918-1931, Mr. Cunningham served Janesville as city attorney. He was active as a member, director and officer of many of the city's businesses and civic enterprises, the church, lodges and social clubs.
The son of John and May Boss Cunningham, he was born in Janesville Nov. 11, 1890. He was educated in the elementary schools and was graduated in 1908 from Janesville High School at which he excelled academically and athletically, winning letters in basketball and track. He served as editor of the yearbook, the Phoenix.
Entering the University of Wisconsin he received his bachelor of arts degree in 1912. While an undergraduate he participated in athletics, being a member of the track and basketball teams for two years. He won a "W" in basketball. He was a member of the Hesperia, a debating society, and in his senior year was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, national honorary scholastic fraternity. He was also a member of Phi Delta Phi, law fraternity.
Following his graduation from Wisconsin he returned to Janesville to get practical experience in his father's law office, acting as a clerk and reading law. In September of 1913 he entered the University of Wisconsin law school from which he obtained a bachelor of law degree in 1915. During his graduate days he served as a student assistant on the law school faculty and was elected to the Order of the Coif, honorary law fraternity.
After receiving his law degree he became a partner in his father's law firm. The latter died in July 1916, and Roger Cunningham continued the practice alone until he was joined by his brother, Robert J. Cunningham, in 1919. The two brothers continued in partnership until 1931 when Roger Cunningham became a member of the firm of Jeffris, Muoat, Oestreich, Wood and Cunningham. He had been associated with the firm until his death.
On April 2, 1918, Mr. Cunningham was elected city attorney, a post he held continuously until he resigned in 1931. In 1918 the city returned to the mayor-alderman form of government after several years under a commission form. During that and the succeeding year, the city attorney's office was extremely busy with the legal aspects of changing the form of government. He was re-elected in 1920 and 1922.
When the city adopted the city manager form of government in 1923, Mr. Cunningham was retained as city attorney by Henry Traxler, first city manager. Again he was busy with the change-over in form of government.
During the more than 12 years that he held the office, he handled all the city's legal work. In addition he revised the city ordinances eliminating obscure sections, revising others and codifying the entire work. While City Attorney he served on the executive committee of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.
Mr. Cunningham was extremely active in the city's civic, fraternal and social life. During World War I he was a member of the Legal Advisory Board, The Four Minute Men.
He was a member of the Janesville Housing Authority which was formed to alleviate a housing shortage in the city in 1919. In 1920 the authority became the Janesville Building and Loan Association of which he was named director, serving continuously until his death. He was also a director of the First National Bank for many years.
He also had served as director of the Chamber of Commerce, the Council, was once president of the Rock County Bar Association, and for many years a director of the YMCA. He was long active as a member of the First Baptist Church and had served on the board of trustees.
Mr. Cunningham was a charter member and later president of the Kiwanis Club; served as exalted ruler of the Elks Lodge and was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 14 and the Janesville Country Club. He had also served as president of the Wisconsin Law School Alumni Association. He was a long time member of the Lakota Club and played on its first basketball team, one of the greatest semi-pro teams in the city's history.
He was always in demand as a speaker before various clubs and groups and many times acted as master of ceremonies at banquets and events of a public nature. One of his last major public appearances was as master of ceremonies at the public farewell at the high school for City Manager Henry Traxler on Sept. 13, 1951.
On Jan. 12, 1917, Mr. Cunningham married Miss Wilna Jones of Janesville. For many years they have resided at 326 S. Wisconsin St.
He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs. Louis (June) Gage Jr.; two grandchildren, Linda Kay and Robert Bruce Gage; and one brother, City Attorney Robert J. Cunningham; also a nephew, Wayne S. Jones, Sheldon, Ia., who was reared in the Cunningham home. He was preceded in death by a son, Donald Roger, and a daughter, Janet Ann.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
