The Roney Family, p. 971

RONEY. The Roney family are among the most prominent of the pioneers of Washington County. The first ancestor of the family name, who came to America, was Hercules Roney, who was born in Ireland, and emigrated to America. His brother James soon followed him, and they settled in Washington county, Penn., where they took up a "tomahawk claim" of about sixteen hundred acres in North Strabane township, and passed the remainder of their lives, in clearing and improving their farms.

James Roney, a son of Hercules, was the grandfather of the present generation here. He was born on the home farm, where his entire life was passed. In early life he was married to Jane McWhorter, of Washington county, Penn., and the following children were born to their union: Moses, William, John, James, Jane (Mrs. McKenry) and Margaret. Mr. Roney was a member and stanch supporter of the Presbyterian Church.

John Roney was born January 25, 1811, on the home farm in North Strabane township, Washington county, and when a young man was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of David George, of Smith township, this county. Soon after his marriage Mr. Roney settled on a farm in West Finley township, where he is still living, a successful farmer and leading citizen. He is a prominent member of the R. P. Church. His children are: James, born June 2, 1838, enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was sent to the army of the Potomac, where he was taken prisoner, dying on March 22, 1863, from the effects of exposure; David G., born August 13, 1840, in West Finley township, this county, married, May 1, 1872, Martha J., daughter of Robert Sutherland, and they have three children: E. E., R. R., and J. J. (David G. was a soldier in the Civil war; he is an energetic business man, and a member of the R. P. Church); Nancy, was married to John Patterson, of Ohio county, W. Va., October 19, 1870, died April 4, 1873; Jane, who lives with her parents; Robert M., who died January 8, 1872; Samuel S., who died March 14, 1852; William S., who married Alice, daughter of John Woodburn, of Washington county, is a carpenter, residing at Claysville, Washington county; J. W., who married Mary, daughter of Samuel McNinch, of Washington county, is a farmer of Donegal township, Washington county; Albert, who went to Ness City, Kans., in April, 1886, died there in July, 1886, of fever; A. J., who married Amelia, daughter of Charles Burig, of Washington county, is a farmer residing on the home farm.

J. C. RONEY passed his younger days on the home farm in West Finley township, and on September 11, 1872, was married to Mary, daughter of Joshua Blake, of Marshall county, W. Va., and she bore him children as follows: Myrtie, Earl, Beulah, Florence and Robert. The mother died April 19, 1881, and for his second wife Mr. Roney was united in marriage September 29, 1885, with Marie, daughter of Mrs. M. J. McBurney, of New Castle, Penn. Mr. Roney first engaged in the mercantile business with Adam Hall, at West Middletown, Penn., where he remained but a short time, and then went to Wellsburg with the same man. He afterward moved to Bethany, where he remained a few years, and, in 1885, Mr. Roney came to West Alexander, where he has since been engaged with his brother, David G., in the grain business. They also conduct a general store, and are known as reliable business men. Politically Mr. Roney is a prominent member of the Republican party. He is a member of the U. P. Church of which he has been an elder several years.

Text taken from page 971 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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