My Genealogy Hound

WARREN P. RONEY, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Cumberland county, was born April 22, 1836, in the old town of Carlisle, in a house situated in the yard, at the rear of the old Methodist Church, southeast comer of West Main and Pitt streets. As his parents were not possessed with plenty of this world’s goods, Warren was early compelled to earn his own bread and butter. His education was received in neighboring schools. At the tender age of twelve years he left his parents’ roof, and secured a home with a Mr. Josiah Corothers, then living about four miles west of Carlisle. He stayed with him, helping with the work, and doing what he could until he was about fifteen or sixteen years old, when he secured work with Hendie & Irish, working for them quite a long time. When water was to be put into Carlisle, that contract was given to the above firm to excavate for a basin, Mr. Roney taking the first scoop of earth out of the ground. He also helped at the laying of pipes, etc. After this work was finished he lived at Plainfield.

In the spring of 1864 he took to farming, and during the summer of the same year he enlisted in the 207th P. V. I. Nothing especial occurred until the spring of 1865. He was lying at Fort Steadman, Va., which was garrisoned by troops from Grant’s Army, then operating around Richmond and Petersburg. It was assailed on the night of March 25th, by two divisions of Lee’s army under Gordon, and as the assault was a surprise, the fort was quickly captured. This assault was intended as a ruse, under cover of which Lee planned to retreat from Petersburg, a movement which failed, however, as the Union forces quickly recovered themselves and retook the fort March 27th. With his regiment, Mr. Roney followed Lee to Nottoway Court House, where he lay for about one week, when he was ordered to City Point, thence to Alexandria, where he was mustered out. Returning home he resumed the farm work, which had been looked after by his wife during his absence. He continued at that work for about thirty years, fourteen years on the Thompson farm, twelve years on the Alexander farm and the balance of the time in Plainfield and vicinity. Three years ago he relinquished the farm, and is now a resident of Carlisle. Mr. Roney is prominent in public life, and on several occasions has been elected township supervisor, an office he filled with credit. Politically, he is a Democrat.

In the winter of 1858, Mr. Roney married Anna B. Mowery, and their family consisted of five boys and three girls: Jane Mary, born in 1861; John G., born in 1863, an engineer at the frog shops; William S., born in 1866, died Jan. 3, 1904; Warren P., born Nov. 20, 1867; Annie E., born July 18, 1869; Charles F., born May 6, 1871; Ida May, born Aug. 29, 1873, died young; and James Edward, born Feb. 12, 1876.

The parents of Mr. Roney were Charles and Eliza (Craig) Roney, natives of Temple Patrick, Ireland. They came to this country and made their home in Carlisle, where they were hard working upright citizens, respected by all.