SAMUEL RONEY, a prominent agriculturist of the county, was born September 29, 1820, in a round-log cabin built by his father in West Finley township, Washington Co., Penn. Hercules Roney, his grandfather, was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, whence, when a young man, he emigrated to America, coming direct to Ohio county, W. Va., where he patented 400 acres of land and built a cabin thereon. He also patented a large tract of land in what is now West Finley township, this county. He participated in many perilous adventures with the Indians and took an active part in the battle in which Crawford was defeated. He erected a blockhouse for many years known as "Roney's blockhouse," and on this historic spot now stands a handsome residence, occupied by John Roney, a descendant of Hercules Roney, who died in July, 1812. He was one of the very first settlers in Washington county, and was among the most widely known of the county's pioneers. He married Margaret, daughter of William Buchanan, a native of West Finley township, and to this union were born five sons and four daughters, all long since deceased. William Roney, father of subject, was reared on the home farm, where he was born, and where under his father's preceptorship, he learned practical lessons in agriculture, which in after life served to make him one of the most successful farmers in his township. On November 9, 1809, he was married to Jane Lawrence, who bore him six children: Samuel and Jane (twins), James, Maggie, William and John. Samuel Roney received his education at the schools of the locality of his birth, and April 15, 1839, being then nineteen years old, he left home to learn the trade of a tanner, which he followed several years till ill health compelled him to abandon it. He then turned his attention to farming pursuits, which he afterward successfully carried on. In May, 1843, he was united in Marriage with Mary A., daughter of John Sutherland, and the following named children have been born to them: Lizzie, Mary, Maggie Bell, W. G. (a resident of Hopewell township, J. L. (in Claysville, Penn.,) and Samuel A. (who is on the farm with his father). The mother died July 3, 1892, and is buried in Buffalo cemetery. On November 22, 1892, Mr. Roney, with his daughter, Mary, moved to Claysville, where they are now living. In 1843 he joined the Presbyterian Church in West Alexander and moved to Upper Buffalo in 1850. In politics he is a lifelong Republican, having cast his first vote in 1841. Mr. Roney is gifted with a remarkable memory, and is considered an authority on all subjects requiring thought and study.

Text taken from page 515 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by George & Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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