Rooney Family Tree

Originally published September 1, 1905, The Glenwood Herald

Mrs. James Egan

Mother is dead. These short words are comparatively meaningless to those who have not suffered the loss of their dearest friend on earth. To those who have a world of sadness they convey. On Saturday morning of last week, James Egan and the several members of his family realized as they never did before the sad and solemn meaning of these words. On that morning the ever true and loving wife and mother bade adieu to dear ones and closed her eyes forever in the dreamless slumber of death.

Mary Egan was born in Canada 68 years ago. During the last 20 years together with her husband and family she has lived in the town of Bangor, this county. About 4 mos. ago she suffered a stroke of paralysis disabling completely one side of her body. A day or two before her death she experienced a second stroke affecting the other side and terminating in her demise as already stated. Sad and lonely is the home she loved so well. No more is heard the familiar sound of mothers voice -- her place in the family circle is vacant, never to be filled again. Her taking away means to the husband, the three sons and three daughters the loss of a true, loving and solicitous wife and mother, to the community in which she lived a kind friend and christian neighbor.

On last Monday her remains were consigned to their last resting place in the cemetery at Padua, Stearns Co. Friends, neighbors and relatives from far and near being in attendance to manifest for the departed on their last token of esteem and love. May she rest in peace.

Originally published August 1998, Padua Cemetery, by Ginny Walz Borgerding

James Egan was born about 1826, probably in County Mayo, Ireland, since that was where his father was from. He was the second son, born to Thomas Egan and Mary Ann Welsh, both of whom are buried in Farrellton, Quebec, Canada.

Mary Rooney was born May 28, 1837, in Canada, to Patrick and Ellen (Tracy) Rooney. She was the oldest of nine children.

James Egan married Mary Rooney on June 18, 1860, in Canada. They had four children while living in Canada. The youngest, Mary Ann, died as an infant in January of 1867. Probably later that year they made their way to Minnesota with their other three children: Ellen, Edmond, and John Thomas. When they moved to Minnesota, it was probably to join others in the Rooney Settlement (Padua). In Padua, they had five more children: Juliana, Mary Louise, Elizabeth Agnes, James G., and Joseph Michael.

James was known by the children in the area as "The Candy Man", since he could always dig in his pocket and find a piece of candy. He died on February 6, 1912. Mary died on May 26, 1905, in Bangor Township, Pope County. James and Mary's children, Edmond and Juliana Ann Flahavin, are buried in Padua. James' brother Patrick, and Mary's mother Elenor Rooney, sister Elinor, and brother Thomas are buried in Padua.