Wisconsin Family Obituaries Catherine Rooney, Owen Smith, Mary McPhillips, William Rooney
Sauk County Obituaries
Smith Family Genealogy
In 2005 we began collecting old obituaries. We contacted the Sauk County Historical Society in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and they advised us to check with nearby Richland County Historical Society for this information. Richland County Historical Society could find no obituaries for either Catharine or William Rooney. Catharine was “Irish” John Smith’s mother. From the Spring Green Community Library we were able to get death information for “Irish” John Smith’s brother, Owen. However, this library could find no Rooney obituaries.
Recently, we tried again. The Spring Green library found an obituary for Mary McPhillips; however, none for the Rooneys. Richland County Historical Society again told us they did not have an obituary for Catharine or William Rooney. However, they did find a probate notice for William. In an old index we noticed something unusual and asked Richland County Historical Society to investigate further. They looked at the notice and it was an obituary for Irish John’s mother, Catharine Rooney. Sometimes persistence pays off. What you will see is information about Mary McPhillips, Owen Smith, Catharine (Greenan-Smyth) Rooney and William Rooney.
Mary McPhillips
McPhilips
Obituary taken from the Spring Green Home News dated October 28, 1886:
“Mary, wife of M. McPhilips, of this town, died on Friday, Oct. 22, 1886, after an illness of about eight years. She died of a dropsical affection from which she had been a great sufferer, especially during the past two years. Her age was 60 years 7 months and 15 days. Deceased was born in the town of Corrivilla, Parish of Aughabog, county of Monaghan, Ireland. She came to this country with her husband and children and settled in the town of Bear Creek, about the year 1868, since which time she has been a continuous resident of this county. Her daughter, Mrs. John Smith, of Kimball, Dak., and son John, of Chicago, had been summoned several days previous, her death not being unexpected. The funeral services were held at the Catholic church in Keyesville, Richland Co., last Sabbath, Oct. 24, 1886, Rev. Father King officiating; the body was interred in the cemetery at that place, in the presence of a large congregation of sympathizing friends. She was a devout Christian and bore sufferings patiently.”
A “dropsical affection” is one of the most frequent results of scarlet fever (http://householdphysician.com/chapter4.php?page=4). This article was originally written in 1895 and tells us that our ancestor may have been affected by this disease.
Buried next to our ancestor, Catharine Rooney, lay the Patrick Smyth family. Patrick’s parents were William Smyth and Mary McCannon, and his wife’s name was Margaret Greenan. We suspect Patrick Smyth may have lived in Corravilla at one time too. Was Patrick also related to Mary (Smith or Smyth) McPhillips? The Smiths in Corravilla spelled their last name ‘Smyth’.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam (May she rest in peace).
Owen Smith
Taken from the Spring Green Home News dated March 28, 1894:
“Mr. Smith, aged about 40 years, stepson of Wm. Rooney of Bear Creek, died on Tuesday. His brother in Dakota has been wired and will undoubtedly be here at the funeral. We have not learned the particulars.”
From Owen’s tombstone we learn he was born in Aghabog Parish, County Monaghan, Ireland. Owen’s mother was Catharine (Greenan-Smyth) Rooney and his brother was “Irish” John Smith. Owen had no other written death notice.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam (May he rest in peace).
Catharine (Greenan-Smyth) Rooney
Taken from the Kimball Graphic; Kimball, South Dakota; dated Saturday, February 22, 1896:
“John Smith left Monday morning for Lone Rock, Wis., called by sickness of his mother.”
Taken from the Richland Rustic; Richland Center, Wisconsin; dated February 29, 1896, page 2, column 2:
County Correspondence
Bear Valley
“Bear Valley, Feb. 26 – Again we are called upon to chronicle the death of another of the old pioneers – Mrs. Wm. Rooney, who with her husband, settled in Bear valley in the territorial days and penetrated the forests which were then little less than a wilderness, in order to make a home where tyranny and landlordism are unknown, and success crowned their efforts, for by their frugality and industry they accumulated sufficient wealth so that at the time of her death they had one of the most desirable homes in upper Bear valley. She was born in the southern part of Ireland in 1810, where she was united in marriage to John Smith, by which union two children were born. Mr. Smith was called to his eternal reward a few years after their marriage. John Smith, her only surviving child, was at her bedside during her last moments on earth and consoled her as only a child can. She was a most grateful woman and highly respected by all, as was evinced by the large and sorrowful assemblage that followed her remains to their resting place in St. Mary’s cemetery, Keyesville, where services were conduced by Rev. J. G. Laurer.”
Taken from the Richland Rustic; Richland Center, Wisconsin; dated February 29, 1896, page 2, column 2:
KEYESVILLE.
“Keyesville, Feb. 25 – Mrs. William Rooney died Feb. 21, of pneumonia, aged 85 years. The funeral took place from St. Mary’s church on Monday at 10 o’clock a.m. The remains were interred at St. Mary’s cemetery.
John Smith, of North Dakota, attended the funeral of his mother, Mrs. Rooney, on Monday.”
Taken from the Kimball Graphic; Kimball, South Dakota; dated March 15, 1896:
“John Smith returned from Bear Valley, Wis., where he was called at the bedside of his dying mother.”
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam (May she rest in peace).
William Rooney
Taken from the Republican Observer, Richland Center, Wisconsin, dated September 27, 1900.
“(First publication Sept 20: last Oct. 3)
STATE OF WISCONSIN, COUNTY COURT for Richland county. In probate. Notice is hereby given that at the regular term of the county court to be held in and for said county at the courthouse in the city of Richland Center, in said county, on the first Tuesday (being the 6th day) of November, A. D., 1900, at 10 o’clock a.m., the following maters will be heard and considered.
The application of D. D. Davis to admit to probate the last will and testament of William Rooney, late of the town of Ithaca, in said county, deceased, and for letters testamentary thereon to be issued to D. D. Davis named in said will as executor thereof.
Dated September 15th, 1900.
By order of the court
L. H. Bancroft, County Judge”
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam (May he rest in peace).
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William Rooney
cemetery marker
William Rooney is buried with his second wife in St. Mary's cemetery, and is a short distance away from the Smyth/Greenan family plot. His marker is several rows in front of the family (see arrows). Because this is the "old section" of the cemetery, we believe that Mrs. Michael McPhillips is also buried here as well (Susan's mother).
Smith/Greenan plot
Click to Enlarge
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November 2007