Rooney Family Tree

When he was five years old Thomas moved with his parents to Gettys Grove in Stearns Co, MN (the 1900 census says he and his mother, who is living with him at the time, came to the U.S. in 1871, so that matches). From there he went to Sedan, MN where he was in the hardware and general store business for forty-five years. (The 1900 census says he's a hotel keeper.) He died of heat exhaustion and acute myocarditis. He never married.

Thomas J. Rooney's naturalization record is at the Pope County courthouse, dated 29 March 1897.

Thomas J. Rooney

Thomas J. Rooney, old and respected resident of Sedan passed away after a short illness last Tuesday at the age of 68 years. The cause of his death was heart failure.

Deceased who was born in Wakefield, Canada was the son of Tom and Bridget Rooney who were natives of Ireland. The deceased came to the United States as a young child and settled with his parents at first at Gettys Grove, Stearns County, Minn. Later he removed to Pope county and he has been a resident of Sedan for the last 45 years. He conducted a hardware store in Sedan and has been engaged also in other business. He was a member of the Catholic church.

He leaves to mourn his passing brothers and sisters, namely John P. of Sedan, Winnie Rooney of Bangor and Mrs. J. T. Landwehr of Sedan, Minn.

Funeral services were conducted in Sedan this morning by the Rev. Vincent Fettgather and the remains were laid to rest in the Sedan Catholic cemetery. The pallbearers were Johnny Rooney, Francis Rooney, Constant Rooney, Art Rooney, Lewis Rooney and Bert Rooney. The deceased was a man of many friends and one who commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact. The Herald joins in the sympathy to the bereaved relatives.

Glenwood Herald of July 26, 1934, page five col. four
Pope County Historical Society
copied by James Whittemore
typed Oct. 7, 1940

Thomas J. Rooney of Sedan passed away early Tuesday morning at his home in Sedan after a short illness of several days. Mr. Rooney was one of the pioneer business men on Sedan. He was in the Hardware and General Store business in the village for some forty-five years. He is a brother of John P. Rooney also of Sedan who was a candidate for the State Legislature in the last primary.

In the many years that he was in business, Mr. Rooney made many friends who were saddened to hear of his death. He was a community builder, always true and loyal to his home town, a kind and true friend at all times. The cause of his death was heart failure. Mr. Rooney had never married, remaining single all his life.

Thomas J. Rooney was born on August 12, 1866, at Wakefield, Canada and was nearly 68 years old at time of his death. His parents were Thomas Rooney and Bridget (Brown) Rooney. When he was five years old he moved with his parents to Gettys Grove in Stearns County, Minnesota. From there he went to Sedan where he was engaged in business for the past forty-five years. He was a member of the Catholic Church of Sedan. He is survived by the following brothers and sisters: John P. Rooney of Sedan, Mrs. J. F. Landwehr of Sedan and Winnie Rooney of Bangor Township.

Funeral services were held Thursday morning, July 26th in the Catholic Church at Sedan. Rev. Father Vincent Fettgatherer officiated. The burial took place in the Catholic Cemetery of Sedan. The pallbearers were John Rooney, Francis Rooney, Constant Rooney, Arthur Rooney, Lewis Kloster and Bert Rooney.

Friends from out of town who attended his funeral are Ruth Swenson, Carpio, N. D., Clair Stremlow, Minneapolis and Mrs. Madona Erickson, of Minneapolis.

Pope County Tribune, Aug. 26, 1934