ROONEY, John
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 366-70 (Portraits of Mr. & Mrs. John ROONEY, p 
367)

John ROONEY, a veteran of the Civil war and a citizen of Baraboo, Sauk 
County, WI, has been the architect of his own fortunes, having made his own 
way in the world from an early age, and although now broken down in health he 
still displays much energy and a devotion to principles which have been the 
means of bringing him to success. Mr. ROONEY was born in County Fermanagh, 
Ireland, 15 Aug 1844, a son of James and Ann (McMANUS) ROONEY. His paternal 
grandfather, Owen ROONEY, as well as the grandmother, who was a MURRAY, were 
lifelong residents of County Fermanagh, where the former died at the age of 
eighty years. His ancestors were among the Catholics who clung to their 
homes during the oppression to which they were subjected in Cromwell's time. 

Our subject's maternal grandparents, Bernard and Mary (BOYLE) McMANUS, were 
natives of County Cavan and Fermanagh, respectively, and were heirs of a 
large estate left by the lady's father, James BOYLE, in that county. They 
emigrated to the U. S., and Mr. McMANUS became foreman on railroad 
construction in PA. After his death his wife came to Sauk County, WI, where 
she died at the age of 87 years. In the BOYLE family were a number of 
prominent priests, including Rev. Francis Edward BOYLE, of Washington, D. C., 
who was chaplain in the Union army during the Civil war. 

James R. ROONEY, the father of our subject, was a native of County Fermanagh, 
and was a well educated man for his day. He made his home on a farm near 
Rossleigh, where he followed the stone mason's trade until his emigration to 
America in 1847. He first located in Dauphin County, PA, and while there 
filled a large contract for wood fuel for the railroad which passed him home. 
There he died 15 Aug 1851. His wife, who was born in County Cavan, Ireland, 
27 Apr 1816, died in Sauk County, WI, 28 Dec 1885. Of their seven children, 
one died in infancy and Patrick was accidentally killed while riding a horse 
in a race at Sugar Creek, Walworth County, WI. The others are Mary (wife of 
Thomas McGUAN, of Westfield, Sauk County, WI), John (our subject), Margaret 
(wife of Nathan BLIVEN, of [p 369] Freedom Township, Sauk County), Anna (wife 
of Luke KELLEY, of Washington, D. C.), and Elizabeth (wife of John NORTON, of 
Providence, RI).

John ROONEY, whose name introduces this review, was only three years old when 
brought by his parents to the U. S., and was only seven when his father died. 
The following year the family moved to Zanesville, OH, and the next year to 
Roseville, OH [both in Muskingum County]. In 1855 they came to Whitewater 
[Walworth County], WI, and from there moved to Sugar Creek Township, Walworth 
County. Our subject was employed at railroad work, beginning as a water boy 
in OH, and after the death of his brother, Patrick, he drove the latter's 
team. Going to Cross Plains [Dane County, WI], he worked on the construction 
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad between Juda and Monroe, WI 
[both in Green County]. In the fall of 1857 the family settled in Honey 
Creek Township, Sauk County, where they engaged in farming, the mother in the 
meantime having married George SULLIVAN. Our subject then earned his 
livelihood as a farm laborer until the Civil war broke out.

On 09 Aug 862 Mr. ROONEY enlisted in Company K, 23rd WI Volunteer Infantry, 
which was assigned to the First Brigade, 10th Division, 13th Army Corps. In 
Sep 1864 he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. He took part in 
the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post and Port Gibson, and the day 
following the last named engagement he received a sunstoke and was sent to 
the hospital at Grand Gulf, MS, but he ran away and rejoined his regiment in 
front of Vicksburg. In Jun 1863 he suffered a relapse and was sent to Gayoso 
Hospital, Memphis, TN. During this time his weight was reduced from 165 
pounds to 96 pounds. After being employed as a commissary for a time, he 
rejoined his regiment in Mar 1864, but upon reaching New Orleans was taken 
ill with pneumonia, and sent to the marine hospital. Upon partially 
recovering his health, he became reception clerk at that place and continued 
in that capacity until discharged on 27 Jun 1865, on the surgeon's 
certificate of disability.

Renting a farm at Loganville, Sauk County, in 1867, Mr. ROONEY engaged in hop 
culture with his step-father until the decline of that industry. In 1869 he 
bought land in Freedom Township, upon which he located in 1874, and began its 
improvement, making his home there until 1885, when he came to Baraboo, and 
has since given his attention chiefly to horticulture.

Mr. ROONEY was married 24 May 1869 to Miss Sarah Maria LAMB, a native of 
Huron County, OH, and a daughter of James Chauncey and Abbie Maria (PETTYS) 
LAMB, who removed with their family to Sauk County, WI, in 1857, and settled 
in Freedom Township. The father, a ship builder by trade, was born in VT 18 
Jul 1814, and died in Baraboo [Sauk County], WI, 12 Sep 1889. The mother was 
born in Cattaraugus County, NY, 03 Sep 1819, and was a daughter of Oliver and 
Ruth (MEAD) PETTYS, the latter a granddaughter of a Revolutionary soldier. 
Mrs. LAMB also died in Baraboo [Sauk County, WI], 18 Feb 1887. Her children 
were (1) May Emma, wife of Daniel SEELEY, of North Freedom [Sauk County, 
WI]; (2) Sarah Maria, wife of our subject; and (3) George D., who was born 
08 Feb 1844, and during the Civil war enlisted in the 3rd WI Cavalry, but 
died of measles before leaving Madison [Dane County, WI], 24 Feb 1864. Our 
subject and his wife had two chidren, (1) Edward J., a farmer on the 
homestead in Freedom [p 370] Township [Sauk County, WI], and (2) Aline M., 
wife of J. E. CURRY, of Lyons, Sauk County.

Mr. ROONEY is a charter member of John Faller Post, No. 83, G. A. R., at 
North Freedom. He was one of the pioneer workers in the temperance cause in 
his locality, and has always taken an active part in such work. He was one 
of the prime movers in organizing the lodge of Good Templars in his 
neighborhood, and was instrumental in cultivating a temperance sentiment 
among the people, which has been the means of excluding the liquor traffic 
from the town of Freedom. In 1867 and 1868 he was district deputy in Sauk 
and Columbia Counties for the Good Templars. Since the organization of the 
Prohibition party he has been a supporter of its principles, and 
conscientiously discharges all public and private duties. He favored 
McKinley's election in 1896, but owing to ill health was unable to go to the 
polls. He has never aspired to office, but does not hesitate to agitate any 
question which he believes will prove of public benefit.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly