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man‎John J Rooney‏‎, son of Patrick Rooney and Elenor "Ellen" Tracy‏.
Born ‎11 Jul 1847 Wakefield Township, Outaouais, Quebec, Canada, died ‎Feb 1894 Hobson, Judith Basin County, Montana‎, age 46 years
John died of pneumonia, leaving his wife with some young children. His uncle, Michael J. Rooney, helped Sarah with "rearing up" the four youngest children.

John Rooney's wife, Sarah Tracy, was a "double" first-cousin to him: Both his parents were siblings to her parents.

John was buried in an unmarked grave, Utica, Judith Basin, Montana

Married ‎Feb 1877 Raymond Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, age 29 years (married 16 or 17 years) to:

woman‎Sarah Margaret "Marge" Tracey‏‎, age by marriage 19 years, daughter of Michael "Tracey on gravestone" Tracey and Ann "Anne" Rooney‏.
Born ‎31 Dec 1857 Wakefield Township, Outaouais, Quebec, Canada, died ‎13 Sep 1910 Hobson, Judith Basin County, Montana Event Description: Moore Cemetery, Fergus County, Montana‎, age 52 years, buried Moore, Fergus County, Montana
Baptismal sponsors: James Shelling and Ann Morris

Sarah Tracy's husband, John Rooney, was a "double" first-cousin to her: Both her parents were siblings to his parents. She died in a TB asylum.

Sarah's Find-a-Grave says 1858 - September 13, 1910 - so a year off on both birth and death based on the gravestone. But the actual gravestone only gives her age, so the birth year is an estimate (and if born one day later it would have been 1858). The Montana death index gives her year of death as 1911. Her son Thomas S. Rooney, who died in 1916, is buried with the same grave marker.

Children:

1.
woman‎Mary Ann "Mamie" Rooney‏‎
Born ‎22 Jan 1877 Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, died ‎10 Aug 1933 Warm Springs, Deer Lodge County, Montana‎, age 56 years
Mary Ann's parents, John Rooney and Sarah Tracy, were double first cousins: Both their parents were siblings.


Mamie is the daughter of John J Rooney and Sarah Margaret Tracey. She is a sister to Johnny, Thomas, Mosie, Ella Elizabeth, Frances M, Catherine and Edmund A Rooney. Their father died in 1894 in Minnesota and brothers Johnny and Mosie died that year as well.

Mamie married John Walter O'Brien. They are the parents of John D, Helen F, George H, Irene, Ida, Charles, Julia, Raymond and Margaret. Mamie worked as a dressmaker.

Her mother was in care here in 1910 and died in 1911. Her brother, Edmund, was in care here from Dec 1924 until his death in 1931, so they were here at the same time. He, too, is buried here.

Mamie was admitted 6 yr 10 mo 14 days before her death of a strangulated ventral hernia.

2.
man‎Thomas S Rooney‏‎
Born ‎15 Nov 1878 Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, died ‎18 May 1916 Hobson, Judith Basin County, Montana‎, age 37 years, buried Moore, Fergus County, Montana
Thomas and Frank were in a horse-drawn wagon that was hit by train west of town. Tom was killed and Frank had a damaged arm that never mended properly. The story was in the May 18 Judith Basin STAR, Hobson, Montana.

Thomas's parents, John Rooney and Sarah Tracy, were double first cousins: Both their parents were siblings.


Judith Basin Star, Hobson, Fergus County, Montana, Thursday, May 18, 1916. At about 6:50 o'clock this evening at the railroad crossing west of this city occurred an accident which resulted in the instant death of Thomas Rooney while Frank Rooney was seriously injured. The two men had been doing some fencing on some land north of this city. The were returning to the Rooney ranch, when the wagon in which they were riding was struck by Great Northern engine No. 1412 which was running light and which was in charge of engineer Lewney and fireman Fritter.
W.B. McFerrin and Fred Lochnet, who were returning to the former's grading camp near the river, were eye witnesses to the accident and stated that neither one of the men noticed the engine until a moment before the collision, when they were both seen to stand up in the wagon. Thomas who was driving slapped the horses with the reins, but the engine which was running about 20 to 25 miles per hour struck the wagon about in the center and the men were thrown for several feet into the air and about 75 feet from where the accident occurred. They ran to where the two men laid and found Thomas to be dead, while Frank was alive but badly injured, having his right arm broken and crushed and a big gash cut in his head as well as injuries to his back and body. Thomas Rooney's back was broken, his right leg broken a horrible gash in his head and several other bruises about the body.
The body of Thomas Rooney was brought to the city and taken to the Shea building, while Frank Rooney was taken to the office of Dr. Lewers, where he was given medical attention. And then taken to the hospital at Lewistown, and late reports from there state that he is doing fine and that his recovery is almost fully assured.
While having his injuries dressed at the doctor's office Frank made the statement that neither of them saw the engine until it was right on them, that he saw it first and warned Tom but it was too late as a moment later the engine crashed into the wagon.
Both victims of the accident are well known throughout the west side, having practically spent their entire lives here.
Coroner Creel was notified and held an inquest in the Murray hall this evening. The following jury being impaneled: John Shea, C. L. Anderson, C. Swanz, Sr., J.A. Raitt, J.S. Matteer and F. Montgomery, who after hearing the testimony offered by the various witnesses returned a verdict that Thomas Rooney came to his death by being struck by Great Northern engine, No. 1412 at crossing west of Hobson on May 18th, at about the hour of 6:50 p.m., and that his death was accidental.

3.
man‎Mosey Rooney‏‎
Born ‎± 1881 Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, died ‎21 Feb 1896 Hobson, Fergus County, Montana‎, age approximately 15 years

4.
woman‎Eleanor Elizabeth "Ella; Eleanor E." Rooney‏‎
Born ‎1884 Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, died ‎2 Oct 1955 Washington County, Oregon‎, age 70 or 71 years
Her parents, John Rooney and his wife Sarah Tracy, were "double" first-cousins, his parents being siblings to her parents. Thus, they share d 25% of their DNA, rather than the 12.5% they would share if they were only "single" first cousins. It's the equivalent of marrying your half-sibling.

5.
woman‎Frances Margaret "Aunt Pet" Rooney‏‎
Born ‎10 Oct 1885 Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota, died ‎12 Jun 1963 Lewistown, Fergus County, Montana‎, age 77 years
In the 1940 census, Frances M Rooney is living with her first cousin William N. Mitchell in Garfield, Montana. Neither had children.

Frances M Rooney's brother Ed had severe cerebral palsy and was cared for by her and her first cousin William N Mitchell in Sand Springs, Garfield, MT from about 1920 (age 24) until 17 Dec 1924. After that he was sent to Warm Springs, MT. Ed was 5'5" and had light blue/gray eyes and dark brown/black hair.

Frances's parents, John Rooney and Sarah Tracy, were double first cousins: Both their parents were siblings.


Great Falls Tribune, 14 Jun 1963
Lewistown – Miss Frances Margaret Rooney, 77, died here Wednesday…She was born in Sauk Centre, MN. She lived in Lewistown the past 13 years. She originally came to Montana in 1890 and lived many years in the Utica area where she was educated. Survivors include many nieces and nephews.

6.
woman‎Katherine "Kate or Katie" Rooney‏‎
Born ‎14 Feb 1886 Miles City, Custer County, Montana, died ‎7 Sep 1944 Hobson, Judith Basin County, Montana‎, age 58 years, buried Moore, Fergus County, Montana
Katherine's parents, John Rooney and Sarah Tracy, were double first cousins: Both their parents were siblings.

7.
man‎John "(null), Johnny" Rooney‏‎
Born ‎± 1887 Montana, died ‎15 Jul 1894 Fergus County, Montana‎, age approximately 7 years
Died of "membraneous croup"

8.
man‎Edmond Rooney‏‎
Born ‎1 Jul 1893 Utica, Judith Basin County, Montana, died ‎11 Aug 1931 Warm Springs, Deer Lodge County, Montana‎, age 38 years
Ed had severe cerebral palsy and was cared for by his sister Frances M Rooney and her first cousin William N Mitchell in Sand Springs, Garfield, MT from about 1920 (age 24) until 17 Dec 1924. After that he was sent to Warm Springs, MT. Ed was 5'5" and had light blue/gray eyes and dark brown/black hair.

Ed's parents, John Rooney and Sarah Tracy, were double first cousins: Both their parents were siblings.


Edmund is the son of John J Rooney and Sarah Margaret Tracey. He is a brother to Mary Ann "Mamie", Johnny, Thomas, Mosie, Ella Elizabeth, Frances M and Catherine Rooney. Their father died when Edmund was about a year old. His brothers Johnny and Mosie died in 1894 as well.

The 1910 census shows his mother was a patient at the asylum then. According to newspapers of the time she'd been deemed insane as early as 1908 and her son, Thomas, was appointed as her guardian. She died in 1911, apparently back home. Court records reflect that in 1912 Edmund's siblings petitioned the court for guardianship of Edmund as he was deemed incompetent and unable to care for himself. His sister, Frances, was appointed.
His sister, Mamie Rooney O'Brien, was in care at the asylum as well from 1926 until she died here in 1933. She, too, is buried here.

Edmund was in care here for 6 yr 8 mo 4 days and succumbed to cerebral apoplexy. The 1930 census shows him visiting with sister, Frances and cousin, Will Mitchell.