Rooney Family Tree

Baptismal Sponsors: Pat Rooney, M A Collier. William E. Martin died o f ALS.

The 1880 census lists this son of William Joseph Martin as also "William Joseph," and there are letters to him from his Canadian relatives addressed to "William Joseph." By the 1900 census, and still living at home, he is listed as "William E."

And there are two certificates of second grade achievement for a "William J. Martin" (but dated 1887, which would make him born in about 1880 if he attended at modern ages).

Lyle Martin's memories of his parents:

In 1922 or 1923 when Dad was operating his hardware store in Villard he carried on a game of checkers with a friend in nearby Westport or somewhere nearby û they informed one another of their moves by penny postcard.

I recall during the time we were in Villard, Dad had to replace a store front window of a drug store because I had playfully pushed an older boy who was leaning against the building and the window broke. Dad never did scold me about that at all.

Also at Villard, I recall that the family received two Airedales (Biddy & Buddy) from someone. The dogs were supposed to be related to dogs that President. Harding or Coolidge had in the White House. Buddy remained a part of the Martin family for about 14 years.

I'm quite sure that Dad served on the federal grand jury at St. Paul at one time û maybe 1924 or 1925.

In about 1931 û after Dad's death, an old schoolmate of his told me that dad was "a whiz in mathematics" û that he didn't need to pencil.

There is another incident in my memory that I've never been able to pinpoint very much û it is an occasion when at least dad and I went to Glenwood û and very likely the whole family was along. I recall there was a large crowd in the center of downtown - there to see some famous personage. Dad put me on his shoulders so that I could see him û so it must've been somewhere around 1919 to 1921. I would like to know who the fella was û maybe a political candidate.

After Dad died, Mother had the heavy responsibility of running the family General store at Sedan and finishing the rearing of the four Martin boys. She had to work long and hard hours for the rest of her life. Struggling through the depths of the Depression in Sedan was a real test for her. The Farmers & Merchants State Bank at Sedan closed it's doors forever in the fall of 1931 (?), taking with it a substantial checking account of the Martin store.

In the years went Mother operated the general store, with the help of Lule, Robert and Richard, she did almost everything that had to be done û she was buyer, credit manager, saleslady, home maker, cook, laundress, nurse and many more things all at the same time. Sedan was a village with an official population 147 during most of those years. The big business days were Monday, Wednesday and Fridays when the Sedan creamery bought cream from the farmers.

Obituary:

Deep sorrow prevailed throughout the village of Sedan and the surrounding community when it was learned that W. E. Martin had departed from this life Wednesday evening, June 15th, after a short illness at his home in Sedan.

William E. Martin was born at Detroit Lakes, Minn., 1874. At the time of his death he was fifty-three years of age.

With his parents he moved to Bangor where he grew to manhood. As a young man he made teaching his chief profession having taught in the rural schools of Pope County. Later he took charge of the school in Sedan for several years.

During the past twenty years he has been engaged in the mercantile business with the exception of one year when he was manager of the Sedan farmers elevator.

In 1920 he and his family moved to Villard where he operated a hardware store. Having spent about two years in Villard, he returned to Sedan where he resumed his old business.

On Jan. 8, 1902 he was united in marriage to Miss Grace Wamsley. Four sons, Melvin who is attending the University of Minnesota, Lyle, Robert and Richard who are at home with the bereaved wife, are left to mourn the loss of a kind and devoted father. Two daughters, Mildred and Dorothy died in their infancy.

Five brothers and three sisters survive the deceased, namely: James, Eden Valley; Thomas, St. Paul; Ed, Kenwood, Calif.; John, Cour de Lane, Idadho; Mrs. J. Shaw, Forth Worth, Texas; Mrs. D. Chamberlaine, Taconite, Minn; and Mrs. James Gaffaney of Forada, Minn.

Requiem mass was sung for the deceased Saturday morning and on Sunday, June 19, at two o'clock the ...equies were conducted by Rev. ...ach at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Sedan, Minn. ...e the great assembly of friends and relatives listened to an eloquent and impressive sermon on death. An almost endless procession headed by the Modern Woodman escorted the remains to the Catholic cemetery near the little village he called his home.

The pallbearers were: A. J. Phillips, Herman Pilotte, C. B. Wesse..ng, Joe Egan, Frank Landweir and P. J. Rooney.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful and bespoke a testimony of love and esteem for a departed friend and sympathy for the sorrowing ones left behind.

W. E. Martin will be remembered by everyone as a man staunch and upright in business, a kind friend and neighbor and one who had the courage of his conviction and dared to do right. His counsel and advise were sought by many as he was known to be a man of words, intelligence and sound judgement.

Sedan lost a most distinguished and respected citizen in his death. Everyone has lost a friend and our hearts go out to the bereaved ones in their hour of sorrow.

Those who attended the funeral from a distance were: Mrs. J. Wirtzfald, Martin, N. D.; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Martin, St. Paul; Mr. and Mrs. James Martin, Eden Valley; Mr. and Mrs. James Egan, Donnybrook, N. D.; Mr. James Hart, Waubon, Minn.; Mr. Chas. Keilty, Mahnomen, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Freixe, Clara City, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cosgrove and daughter, St. Cloud; Mrs. Geisen, St. Cloud; Mr. Giles Wamsley, Minneapolis; Mrs. James Gaffaney, Forada, Minn.