Generation 1 1. Cooney-1. Cooney and unknown spouse married. They had the following children: 2. i. Patrick Cooney was born about 1811 in Ireland. He married Elizabeth Ward on 25 Nov 1834 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He died about 1876 in Detroit, Michigan. Generation 2 2. Patrick Cooney-2 (Father-1) was born about 1811 in Ireland. He died about 1876 in Detroit, Michigan. Notes for Patrick Cooney: According to family history and his citizenship papers, Patrick was from County Louth, Ireland from a place called Mansfields Town or something like that. According to a Cooney cousin who tried to look for the place a few years back, it supposedly doesn't exist anymore. Patrick immigrated from Ireland to Montreal, Quebec, Canada (in or about 1830 according to his son John and a Cooney cousin). He went to New York (because of some sort of revolution or something in Canada according to the Cooney cousin) sometime after 1837, when his son John was born, and worked as a groundskeeper on the estate of President Martin Van Buren in Kinderhook. Around the time of the American Civil War (about 1860), Patrick returned to Canada with his family, this time residing in Ontario. His sons John and Joseph's baptism records indicate Patrick was working as a gardener when the family was living in Quebec. Patrick and Elizabeth were married in the church Notre Dame of Montreal, in Quebec, Canada. has it that the Cooney name may have been originally O'Cooney in Ireland, but there's no substantiation of that at this time. The Cooney cousin tried to do further research in Ireland, but was unable to make any progress. According to a profile of his son John, Patrick came to America (he actually went to Canada first) from Droughadea, Ireland in a sailing vessel in 1830 (I'm not certain whether John meant Patrick was born in Droughadea or just sailed from there). He was naturalized an American citizen at Albany, New York, almost immediately according to John (though the actual date is unknown at this time). Patrick was manager of Van Buren's properties both before and after Van Buren became president of the United States (around 1837). According to son John's profile, Patrick left Van Buren's employment about 1853 to take a position with James Frost, nurseyman, florist, and seedsman of Rochester, New York. According to John, the Frost business grew into one of the greatest mail-order businesses in the nation. One mystery is that son John said in his profile that Patrick died when he was 94 years old. However, various sources indicate he was born about 1811, and a Cooney family bible entry indicates he died about 1876 in Detroit Michigan (which is the only source for his death at the moment), making him about 66 when he died. This will have to be investigated. Patrick was of the Roman Catholic faith. Family History Son John's obituary, unknown Montana paper, abt Sep 30, 1925 Page 1 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 2 (con't) Son John's obituary, unknown Montana paper, abt Sep 30, 1925 Profile of son John, "John W. Cooney of Butte at 86 Talks Interestingly of His Acquaintance with President Martin Van Buren", unknown Montana paper, abt 1923. Federal Censuses for New York - Columbia County - Kinderhook (1850) Censuses for Ontario, Canada - Peterborough County (1861, 1871) Cooney family bible Sons John and son Joseph's baptism records, Basilique Notre Dame, Montreal, Canada, from Quebec Vital and Church Records, The Drouin Collection, 1621-1967 Marriage record for Patrick and 2nd wife Elizabeth Ward, Basilique Notre Dame, Montreal, Canada, from Quebec Vital and Church Records, The Drouin Collection, 1621-1967 Elizabeth Ward was born between 1811-1815 in Ireland. She died about 29 Aug 1876 in Detroit, Michigan. Notes for Elizabeth Ward: According to family history, Elizabeth's father may have been named Alexander and possibly a linen manufacturer in Belfast, Ireland. He apparently never immigrated to America. Elizabeth was of the Roman Catholic faith. Federal Censuses for New York - Columbia County - Kinderhook (1850) Censuses for Ontario, Canada - Peterborough County (1861, 1871) Cooney family bible Sons John and Josephy's baptism records, Basilique Notre Dame, Montreal, Canada, from Quebec Vital and Church Records, The Drouin Collection, 1621-1967 Marriage record for Elizabeth and 2nd husband Patrick Cooney, Basilique Notre Dame, Montreal, Canada, from Quebec Vital and Church Records, The Drouin Collection, 1621-1967 Patrick Cooney and Elizabeth Ward were married on 25 Nov 1834 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They had the following children: i. Joseph Patrick Cooney was born on 19 Mar 1836 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Notes for Joseph Patrick Cooney: Joseph was baptized March 20, 1836. Joseph has not been mentioned in any other records or profiles of the family besides his baptism record. He may have died or left the family before the family left Quebec. Baptism record, Basilique Notre Dame, Montreal, Canada, from Quebec Vital and Church Records, The Drouin Collection, 1621-1967 3. ii. John Ward Cooney was born on 22 Dec 1837 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He married Mary Ann O'Callaghan on 25 Apr 1870 in Hastings, Ontario, Canada. He died on 28 Sep 1925 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. iii. Margaret Cooney was born about 1839 in New York. Page 2 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 2 (con't) Notes for Margaret Cooney: So far my research indicates that the only specific mention of Margaret is in the 1850 Federal Census (though it doesn't indicate the relationship, her age allows me to assume she's a daughter, for now anyway). A Canadian obituary of Margaret's apparent nephew Frank indicates that his father John had a brother-in-law named Martin Jordin living near the family in Norwood, Ontario, so it's possible this is Margaret. This will have to be investigated further. Federal Censuses for New York - Columbia County - Kinderhook (1850) iv. Francis (Frank) Cooney was born between 1843-1845 in New York. He died after 1925. Notes for Francis (Frank) Cooney: At the time of his brother John's newspaper profile (abt 1923), John said Frank was about 85 years old and living in Chicago. At the time of John's death in 1925, Frank was still living in Chicago. The age that John gave Frank in his profile seems a bit off. The 1850 Federal Census for New York and the 1861 and 1871 Canadian censuses make his birth year more likely 1843-1845 than about 1838. I'm more inclined to believe the censuses for now since the age he gave his father when he died seemed pretty off as well. Frank was of the Roman Catholic faith. Brother John's Profile, "John W. Cooney of Butte at 86 Talks Interestingly of His Acquaintance with President Martin Van Buren", unknown Montana paper, abt 1923. Brother John's obituary, The Butte Miner (Montana), Sept 30, 1925 Federal Censuses for New York - Columbia County - Kinderhook (1850) Censuses for Ontario, Canada - Peterborough County (1861, 1871) Sara Coyle. She died before 1834. Notes for Sara Coyle: Sara was dead by the time Patrick married 2nd wife Elizabeth. Patrick and Elizabeth's marriage record in Quebec indicated Sara was from the County of Louth in Ireland. Sources: Marriage record for Patrick Cooney and 2nd wife Elizabeth Ward, Basilique Notre Dame, Montreal, Canada, from Quebec Vital and Church Records, The Drouin Collection, 1621-1967 Patrick Cooney and Sara Coyle married. They had no children. Generation 3 3. John Ward Cooney-3 (Patrick-2, Father-1) was born on 22 Dec 1837 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He died on 28 Sep 1925 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. Page 3 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Notes for John Ward Cooney: Though various sources say John was born Dec 23, his baptism record indicates he was born Dec 22. John was baptized on Dec 24. As a boy, John lived on the estate of President Martin Van Buren at Kinderhook, NY, where his father Patrick was manager of Van Buren's properties. According to a newspaper profile, John came into frequent contact with Van Buren and had a warm friendship with him that started when John was 10. There's some confusion as to the place and year that John was born. His 1925 obituary states that he would have been 90 if he had lived another few weeks, making his birth year 1835. However, John himself states in a newspaper profile that he was born the year Van Buren was inaugurated, which was 1837 and his baptism record and death certificate confirm that. As to where he was born, John supposedly said in a newspaper profile that he was born on the Van Buren estate but all other major evidence (baptism record, death certificate, US and Canadian censuses) says he was born in Quebec, Canada. It's possible that John fibbed or was confused (or was embellishing) or that the reporter was unclear or mistaken. As a result of his father's line of work, John developed a lifelong love for horticulture. He became recognized as an expert nursery man and florist. Before coming to Montana, he was in charge of properties for the D.M. Ferry Seed company, the Frost Brothers' Seed company, and was, for 19 years, manager of the Renfrew Fruit and Floral company in Ontario, Canada. An obituary stated that while in Montana he originated the famous McIntosh Red Apple. However, further research indicates that a guy named McIntosh originated the McIntosh Red Apple; John's connection to the McIntosh remains unknown and further research is required. John and Mary were married in Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Hastings, Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada. In Ontario, Canada, John and his family lived first in Peterborough (city in Peterborough County), then in Norwood (also in Peterborough County), where all or most of his children were born. The family then lived in Arnprior (McNab Township in Renfrew County) and Dumfries (either Waterloo or Brant County depending on the township, which I don't know at this time) before moving to America. John emigrated to Montana with his wife and some of his kids (son Frank was already there and son Howard may have been as well) about 1895. Confusingly, the 1900 Census says John immigrated in 1840, whether to Canada from elsewhere outside North America or from Canada to the U.S., I don't know, as the question was supposed to be immigration to the United States, not North America. The 1920 Census lists him being born in New York, so the 1900 Census information about immigration just seems totally off. However, since I learned that he was born in Canada instead of America, it could very well be that 1840 was when his father moved from Quebec to America and worked on Van Buren's estate. John was listed twice in the 1920 Census, one living in Missoula County and one living with his son Percival in California. For 5 years John was engaged in mining in Pilgrim Gulch, north of Walkerville. He spent the last 25 years or so of his life in retirement and in trips to Honolulu, California, and other places. He was listed in the 1920 Census living with his son Frank and his family in Missoula, Montana. John was of the Roman Catholic faith. John died due to the effects of senility. Generation 3 (con't) He is buried in St Patrick's cemetery in Butte, Montana (the old cemetery across from an airport). Page 4 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 3 (con't) He is buried in St Patrick's cemetery in Butte, Montana (the old cemetery across from an airport). Obituaries - Unknown Montana paper, abt Sep 28, 1925; The Butte Miner (Montana), Sep 30, 1925 Profile, "John W. Cooney of Butte at 86 Talks Interestingly of His Acquaintance with President Martin Van Buren", unknown Montana paper, about 1923. Son Frank's profile and son Percival's profile, Who Was Who in America, Volume I, 1897-1942 Son Frank's obituaries, Great Falls News (Montana), Dec 18, 1935; Peterborough Examiner (Ontario, Canada), Dec 16, 1935 Son Frank's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Son Frank's profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914. Son Byron's obituary, The Montana Standard (Montana), Jun 10, 1932 Son Howard's profile, "Montana - Its Story and Biography", Volume III, p1174. The American Historical Society, Chicago and New York, 1921 Federal Censuses for New York - Columbia County - Kinderhook (1850) Censuses for Ontario, Canada - Peterborough County - North Monaghan (1861, 1871), Carlton County - Fitzroy (1881), Renfrew County - McNab (1891) Federal Censuses for Montana - Silver Bow County - Butte (1900), Missoula County - Missoula (1920) Federal Censuses for California - Riverside County - Perris Township (1920) Death Certificate, Missoula County, Montana Marriage record (transcription) - Hastings, Ontario, Canada Baptism record, Basilique Notre Dame, Montreal, Canada, from Quebec Vital and Church Records, The Drouin Collection, 1621-1967 Mary Ann O'Callaghan daughter of Jeremiah O'Callaghan and Julia Coakley was born about Mar 1845 in County Cork, Ireland. She died on 27 Mar 1902 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. Notes for Mary Ann O'Callaghan: Mary was born in Ireland and immigrated to Canada with her parents when she was a child. Some sources say she was born in the city of Cork, while others say it was the county of Cork. The 1900 (U.S.) Census says she immigrated in 1848, but I'm not sure if that's referring to her arrival in Canada or the U.S., as the census question was supposed to be what year the person immigrated to the _U.S._, and as other sources say, she immigrated with her husband and children from Canada to Montana in 1895. While the family (that is, Mary and her husband John Cooney and their children) was living in the city of Peterborough in Ontario, Canada, Mary taught school. Mary was of the Roman Catholic faith. Mary died of heart failure. She is buried in St. Patrick's cemetery in Butte, Montana (the old cemetery across from an airport). Note: There is a cemetary record on rootsweb.com (http://userdb.rootsweb.com/cemeteries/cgi-bin/cemetery.cgi?id=500825&database=cemetery%20re cords&return_to=http://userdb.rootsweb.com/cemeteries/&submitter_id=) that seems to be a record of Mary and indicates she is buried in Section N row 9. Further research is required. Page 5 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 3 (con't) Obituary, The Butte Miner (Montana), Mar 28, 1902 Archivist, Montana State Archives Son Frank's profile and son Percival's profile, Who Was Who in America, Volume I, 1897-1942 Son Frank's obituaries, Great Falls News (Montana), Dec 18, 1935; Peterborough Examiner (Ontario, Canada), Dec 16, 1935 Son Frank's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Son Frank's profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914. Son Howard's profile, "Montana - Its Story and Biography", Volume III, p1174. The American Historical Society, Chicago and New York, 1921 Husband's obituary, The Butte Miner (Montana), Sep 30, 1925 Censuses for Ontario, Canada - Peterborough County - North Monaghan (1871), Carlton County - Fitzroy (1881), Renfrew County - McNab (1891) Federal Censuses for Montana - Silver Bow County (1900) Marriage record (transcription) - Hastings, Ontario, Canada John Ward Cooney and Mary Ann O'Callaghan were married on 25 Apr 1870 in Hastings, Ontario, Canada. They had the following children: 4. i. Percival J. Cooney was born on 19 May 1871 in Norwood, Peterborough County, Ontario, Canada. He married Emma Wilhemena Keppner on 16 Sep 1904. He died on 17 Mar 1932 in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California. 5. ii. Frank Henry "FH" Cooney was born on 31 Dec 1872 in Norwood, Peterborough County, Ontario, Canada. He married Emma May Poindexter on 27 Dec 1899 in St. Louis, Missouri. He died on 15 Dec 1935 in Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana. iii. Florence E. Cooney was born about 1885 in Norwood, Ontario, Canada. She married Ulric Henry Ellerhusen before 1921. She died on 20 Apr 1950 in Morristown, New Jersey. Notes for Florence E. Cooney: Florence came to Montana from Canada with her parents and some of her siblings in 1885 (according to some sources; others, like the 1900 Census say 1880, and some say 1895). If it was 1885, she may have been brought as an infant. After living in Montana, Florence went to Chicago, where she studied at the Art Institute. She also studied at the Art Students League in New York. At the time of her father's death in 1925, Florence and her husband Ulric were living in New York City. The 1930 census has them living specifically in Manhattan. Florence and her husband are listed on a couple of passenger lists (of US citizens). One is for the ship "Fort Victoria", arriving in New York on January 27, 1921 from Hamilton, Bermuda. This may have been a vacation or they were living there for a time. Florence's entry indicated she came to the US in 1885. Their US address was listed as 51 W. 10th St in New York, New York. The second is for the ship "Aquitania", arriving in New York on September 6, 1935 from Cherbourg, France. Their address then was 37 West 8th Street, New York, New York. Florence was a landscape and portrait painter. During the final years of their lives, she taught alongside her husband at the art school he founded (the Art Council of New Jersey) Page 6 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 3 (con't) taught alongside her husband at the art school he founded (the Art Council of New Jersey) in Tawaco, New Jersey. She had exhibited with the National Academy of Design, the Chicago Art Institute, Allied Artists of America, American Water Color Society, New York Water Color Club, Baltimore (MD), Water Color Society, Newport (RI) Art Association and the Montclair Art Association. Florence died after a month's illness. Obituaries, Daily Record (Morris County, New Jersey), April 21, 1950 & New York Times (New York), April 21, 1950 Husband's obituaries, New York Times (New York), Nov 10, 1957 & Daily Record (Morris County, New Jersey), November 11, 1957 Father's obituary, The Butte Miner (Montana), Sep 30, 1925 Brother Howard's profile, "Montana - Its Story and Biography", Volume III, p1174. The American Historical Society, Chicago and New York, 1921 Husband's profile, "Art and Artists in New Jersey", by Lolita L. W. Flockhart, published by the C.P. Hoagland Company, Somerville, New Jersey, 1938, pg 54-58 Censuses for Ontario, Carlton County - Fitzroy (1881), Canada - Renfrew County - McNab (1891) Federal Censuses for Montana - Silver Bow County (1900) Federal Censuses for New York - New York County - New York (1930) New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 - January 27, 1921; September 6, 1935 Brother Frank's obituary, Peterborough Examiner (Ontario, Canada), Dec 16, 1935 Wikipedia.org article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ulric_ellerhusen 6. iv. Howard Charles Cooney was born on 29 Apr 1876 in Ontario, Canada. He married Leona B. Shryock in 1912 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. He died on 23 Jul 1926 in Los Angeles, California. v. Byron E. Cooney was born on 05 Dec 1878 in Ontario, Canada. He died on 09 Jun 1932 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. Notes for Byron E. Cooney: According to a biographical sketch of the members of the 21st Legistative Assembly of Montana for 1929, Bryon indicated he was born in Detroit Michigan; all other information has him being born in Ontario, Canada. Byron immigrated to Montana from Canada with his parents and some of his siblings in 1895 (the 1900 Census says he immigrated in 1880, but the immigration information on his family as a whole seems incorrect in the 1900 Census). Byron was listed as a lodger in some kind of boarding house in the 1910 Federal Census for Silver Bow County, Montana, along with his brother Frank Byron was educated in the grade and high schools of Butte, Montana, the Butte Business College, and the Montana School of Mines. Bryon is listed on the World War I Draft Registration Cards. No idea if he actually served. His biographical sketch for the 21st Legislative Assembly of Montana for 1929 indicates he did not have any military service. He began his newspaper career of more than 30 years on the Anaconda Standard as a Page 7 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 3 (con't) He began his newspaper career of more than 30 years on the Anaconda Standard as a member of the news staff. His feature stories attracted attention and he was offered a position on the Butte Evening News in Butte, Montana. He established friendships with a number of notable cartoonists and writers. He quit the News to accept a position as publicity director for the Automatic Telephone company. When the Automatic was taken over by Bell interests, he became professor of journalism at the Butte Business college and later established the Montana American, which he published for several years. When he disposed of his interests in the American, he accepted a position with the Butte Miner (a Butte, Montana newspaper); he had been identified with the editorial department of the Montana Standard (another Butte, Montana newspaper) almost since its reorganization. At the time of his death, Byron was the associate editor of the Montana Standard. He served as county commissioner (of Silver Bow County) for six years (1919-1924), was twice a candidate for the congressional nomination, and was twice a member of the Montana legislature. He was a candidate for re-election at the time of his death. Politically, he was a democrat; religiously, he was a Roman Catholic. He was a member of several fraternal organizations, including the Elks, the Eagles, and the Red Men. He died of a heart attack. When Byron filled out his biographical sketch in 1929, he indicated at the time that he wasn't married and didn't have any children. Obituary, The Montana Standard (Montana), June 10, 1932 Brother Frank's profile, Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978, Volume III (Montana-Pennsylvania), p878. Edited by Robert Sobel and John Raimo, 1978 Censuses for Ontario, Canada - Carlton County - Fitzroy (1881), Renfrew County - McNab (1891) Federal Censuses for Montana - Silver Bow County (1900), Silver Bow County, Silver Bow Township (1910) World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Biographical Sketch of the Members of the Twenty-First Legislative Assembly of Montana, convened at Helena, Jan 7, 1929 Generation 4 4. Percival J. Cooney-4 (John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born on 19 May 1871 in Norwood, Peterborough County, Ontario, Canada. He died on 17 Mar 1932 in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California. Notes for Percival J. Cooney: Percival was widely known as an historian and lecturer, and was considered an authority on the early history of Southern California. He was educated partly in Norwood High School in Ontario, Canada. He studied at Ottawa University, Pratt Institute, and the University of California at Los Angeles. Page 8 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 4 (con't) Pratt Institute, and the University of California at Los Angeles. He left Canada with his parents and some of his siblings in 1895 and settled in Montana (the 1900 Census says he immigrated in 1880, but the immigration information on his family as a whole seems incorrect in the 1900 Census). He met his wife Emma there and they were married. They moved to California in 1908. In 1921, they moved to El Monte, California. For the 10 years prior to his death, he was an instructor at El Monte Union High school Percival was a Canadian author who wrote "Dons of the Old Pueblo" (1914) and "Kinsmen" (1916). "Kinsmen" portrays the Highland immigrant community in Canada established by Archibald McNab in Renfew County in 1823 and ruled by him until 1843 when his commission as township agent was revoked He is listed in "Who's Who in America". He was active in politics and was a Democrat. Percival died of a heart attack. He is buried in the cemetary of the Little Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel California. Profile, Who Was Who in America, Volume I, 1897-1942, A.N. Marquis Co., 1943. Obituary, El-Monte Herald (California), March 18, 1932 Profile, The Oxford Companion to Canadian History and Literature Fiction in English, by Nora Story, published by Oxford University Press, 1967, page 262 Censuses for Ontario, Canada - Carlton County - Fitzroy (1881), Renfrew County - McNab (1891) Federal Censuses for Montana - Silver Bow County (1900) Federal Censuses for California - San Bernardino County, Ontario Township (1910), Riverside County, Perris Township (1920), Los Angeles County, El Monte Township (1930) Brother Frank's obituary, Peterborough Examiner (Ontario, Canada), Dec 16, 1935 Emma Wilhemena Keppner was born about 1886 in Montana. Notes for Emma Wilhemena Keppner: The 1930 census states that Emma's father was born in Germany and her mother in Sweden Husband's profile, Who Was Who in America, Volume I, 1897-1942 Husband's obituary, El-Monte Herald (California), March 18, 1932 Federal Censuses for California - San Bernardino County, Ontario Township (1910), Riverside County, Perris Township (1920), Los Angeles County, El Monte Township (1930) Percival J. Cooney and Emma Wilhemena Keppner were married on 16 Sep 1904. They had the following children: i. Byron Arthur Cooney was born about 1906 in South Dakota. Notes for Byron Arthur Cooney: Father's profile, Who Was Who in America, Volume I, 1897-1942 Page 9 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 4 (con't) Father's profile, Who Was Who in America, Volume I, 1897-1942 Father's obituary, El-Monte Herald (California), March 18, 1932 Federal Censuses for California - San Bernardino County, Ontario Township (1910), Riverside County, Perris Township (1920) ii. John P. Cooney was born about 1916 in California. Notes for John P. Cooney: Father's profile, Who Was Who in America, Volume I, 1897-1942 Father's obituary, El-Monte Herald (California), March 18, 1932 Federal Censuses for California - Riverside County, Perris Township (1920), Los Angeles County, El Monte Township (1930) 5. Frank Henry "FH" Cooney-4 (John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born on 31 Dec 1872 in Norwood, Peterborough County, Ontario, Canada. He died on 15 Dec 1935 in Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana. Notes for Frank Henry "FH" Cooney: Frank was born in the town of Norwood, Peterborough County, in Ontario, Canada. His father was a nurseryman and both his parents were Roman Catholics. He attended Catholic schools in Ontario, but never enrolled in college. Leaving school at the age of 14, he accepted a position as delivery boy in the store of E.C. Armand of Arnprior, Ontario, Canada, and for his services he received the relatively modest sum of $4 a month. He became thoroughly acquainted with the grocery business in its several departments. For a time, Frank assisted his father in the nursery business but found that it was not to his liking. Looking for a new field, he moved to Butte, Montana in July, 1891 (the 1900 Census says he immigrated in 1880, but the immigration information on his family as a whole seems incorrect in the 1900 Census; the year of immigration question on the 1920 Census was not answered for his entry, even though he was listed as being born in Canada). There, he found employment in the grocery store of Thomas F. Courtney and afterwards entered the wholesale department of the Davidson Grocery Company. In 1894, he left Davidson and started the firm of Cooney Bros, a retail grocery business, with his brother Howard. In 1896, the firm was incorporated under the name of the Cooney Brokerage Company. Frank was listed in a 1902 Montana directory for Butte, Silver Bow County, with the business of Cooney Bros. and living at 128 West Galena. The company remained in the family until the mid-1970s. After their marriage in 1899, Frank and Emma lived in Butte, MT for about 10 years and then moved to Missoula. Frank was listed as a lodger in some kind of boarding house in the 1910 Federal Census in Silver Bow County, Montana, along with his brother Byron In 1913 Frank extended his operations to the Bitterroot Valley, where he established large agricultural and livestock enterprises and engaged in diversified farming. He campaigned and lectured in drives to encourage the use of Montana state products by Montanans. He opened Montana's first cannery in 1913 at Stevensville and operated it successfully for many years. Frank is listed on a WWI Draft Registration Card. No idea yet whether he actually served or not. Page 10 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Between 1889 and 1900, he was a public administrator for Silver Bow County. After running for Lieutenant Governor on the Democratic ticket in 1924 and 1928 and losing both times, he was elected to that post in 1932. Frank became Governor of Montana in 1933, upon the resignation of John E. Erickson. After assuming the post of governor, Frank immediately appointed former Governor Erickson to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Thomas J. Walsh. The "Erickson-Cooney Deal" was a major embarrassment to the state Democratic Party. It diminished the popularity of both men and created tension within the party. As governor, Frank was a progressive. He was able to secure the resignation of conservative State Relief Director T.C. Spaulding, and to appoint a number of liberal members to the Relief Commission. He also encouraged programs of water conservation and flood water utilization. In 1934, he survived an attempt by conservative opponents to impeach him; Frank was the only Montana governor to have impeachment proceedings brought against him. Frank's career as governor abruptly ended at the age of 62 when he died of heart failure in Great Falls, Montana on December 15, 1935. He was stricken the night before when he and Dr. H.J. McGregor, state highway commission, had returned from Miami, Florida, where they attended the annual convention of the American Association of State Highway Officials. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Silver Bow club at Butte, the Hibernians at Butte, and the Elks lodge of Missoula He practiced the Catholic faith. Generation 4 (con't) He is buried in St. Mary's Cemetary in Missoula, Montana. Bit of trivia: Frank and his family lived at 1800 S. Second West in Butte, Montana until he became governor in 1934 and they moved to Helena, Montana. The house became a school called Sussex School in 1980. Website "The Political Graveyard", http://www.potifos.com/tpg/bio/cook-coon.html Profile, Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978, Volume III (Montana-Pennsylvania), p878. Edited by Robert Sobel and John Raimo, 1978 Profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913 Obituaries, Great Falls News (Montana), Dec 18, 1935, unknown Montana newspaper, Dec 23, 1935; The New York Times (New York), Dec 16, 1935; Peterborough Examiner (Ontario, Canada), Dec 16, 1935 "Governor Frank Henry Cooney Passes On" and "Governor Was Native of Canada But Made His Home in Montana 44 Years", The Helena Independent (Helena, Montana), pg 1 and 10, Dec 16, 1935 Profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914 "Cooney only governor to survive impeachment try", unknown Helena, Montana newspaper, dated sometime in 1997 "Grandson dusts off ex-governor", unknown Great Falls, Montana newspaper, dated sometime in 1997 Father-in-law's profile, "Progressive Men of Montana", pg 496-498. Published by A.W Bowen & Co, Chicago, 1902 Censuses for Ontario, Canada - Carlton County - Fitzroy (1881), Renfrew County - McNab (1891) Federal Censuses for Montana - Silver Bow County (1900), Silver Bow County, Silver Bow Township (1910), Missoula County (1920), Missoula County, Orchard Homes Township (1930) Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana, Directory, 1902 Page 11 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 4 (con't) Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana, Directory, 1902 World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Emma May Poindexter daughter of Philip Henry Poindexter and Mary Emily Sappington was born on 27 Oct 1875 in Dillon, Beaverhead County, Montana. She died on 10 Mar 1953 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. Notes for Emma May Poindexter: Emma attended Dillon, MT schools and St. Mary's Hall in Faribault, Minn when she was a girl. She was a member of St. Ann parish and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Emma had been in failing health for about the last year of her life, and had been hospitalized since about a month before she died. Emma is buried in St. Mary's cemetary, Missoula, Montana, alongside her husband Frank. Obituary, Butte Daily Post (Montana), March 11, 1953 Federal Censuses for Montana - Beaverhead County - Beaverhead River (1880), Blacktail Township (1900), Missoula County - Orchard Homes (1920, 1930) Father's profile, "Progressive Men of Montana", pg 496-498. Published by A.W Bowen & Co, Chicago, 1902 Husband's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Husband's profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914. Father's profile, "Personal History and Reminiscences", 1885, page 994 Father's obituary, The Dillon Examiner (Montana), Mar 1, 1911 Frank Henry "FH" Cooney and Emma May Poindexter were married on 27 Dec 1899 in St. Louis, Missouri. They had the following children: 7. i. Francis H. Cooney was born about 1902 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. He died on 19 Jul 1934 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. 8. ii. John Phillip Cooney was born on 04 Jul 1903. He married Helen Downs on 20 Nov 1928 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. He died in San Mateo, California. 9. iii. Mary Margaret "Myrlie" Cooney was born about 1907 in Montana. 10. iv. Walter P. "Packy" Cooney was born about 1910 in Montana. 11. v. Virginia Elizabeth "Petey" Cooney was born on 03 Jul 1912 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. She died on 01 Apr 1999 in New Mexico. 12. vi. Tylar Thompson Cooney was born on 03 Jul 1912 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. He married Leona Victoria Anderson in Mar 1935 in Stevensville, Montana. He died on 23 Jan 1984 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. Page 12 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 4 (con't) 13. vii. Gage Rodman "Rod" Cooney was born on 23 Mar 1916 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. He married Ruth Brodie (Private). He died on 19 Aug 1976 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. 6. Howard Charles Cooney-4 (John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born on 29 Apr 1876 in Ontario, Canada. He died on 23 Jul 1926 in Los Angeles, California. Notes for Howard Charles Cooney: Howard's obituary states that he was born in Detroit, while every other source says he was born in Norwood, Ontario. The 1900 Census says he was born in 1877, while other sources, including his obituary, say he was born in 1876. Howard came to Montana from Canada in 1895 with his parents and some of his siblings (the 1900 Census says he immigrated in 1880, but the immigration information on his family as a whole seems incorrect in the 1900 Census). For years he was a partner with his brother Frank in the Cooney Brokerage Company and was its vice president and general manager for many years. Howard was a Catholic. He was a democrat. Howard belonged to the Silver Bow Club and the Butte Country Club. He was also secretary and treasurer of the Evening Star Development Company which operated in Elliston, Montana and was in charge of its affairs as its general manager. Howard died of heart failure. Obituary, The Daily Missoulian (Montana), July 24, 1926 Profile, "Montana - Its Story and Biography", Volume III, p1174. The American Historical Society, Chicago and New York, 1921 Brother Frank's obituaries, Great Falls News (Montana), Dec 18, 1935; Peterborough Examiner (Ontario, Canada), Dec 16, 1935 Brother Frank's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Censuses for Ontario, Canada - Carlton County - Fitzroy (1881), Renfrew County - McNab (1891) Federal Censuses for Montana - Silver Bow County (1900) Leona B. Shryock daughter of J.W. Shryock and Leona. Notes for Leona B. Shryock: Husband's profile, "Montana - Its Story and Biography", Volume III, p1174. The American Historical Society, Chicago and New York, 1921 Husband's obituary, The Daily Missoulian (Montana), July 24, 1926 Howard Charles Cooney and Leona B. Shryock were married in 1912 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. They had the following children: Page 13 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:54 PM
Generation 4 (con't) i. Margaret Eleanor Cooney was born on 08 Feb 1914. Notes for Margaret Eleanor Cooney: Father's profile, "Montana - Its Story and Biography", Volume III, p1174. The American Historical Society, Chicago and New York, 1921 ii. Leona Mary Cooney was born on 22 Sep 1916. Notes for Leona Mary Cooney: Father's profile, "Montana - Its Story and Biography", Volume III, p1174. The American Historical Society, Chicago and New York, 1921 iii. Howard C. Cooney Jr. was born in Apr 1918. Notes for Howard C. Cooney Jr.: Father's profile, "Montana - Its Story and Biography", Volume III, p1174. The American Historical Society, Chicago and New York, 1921 Generation 5 7. Francis H. Cooney-5 (Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born about 1902 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. He died on 19 Jul 1934 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. Notes for Francis H. Cooney: According to a Time Magazine article, Francis was kidnapped at about age 27 (about 1931) and nearly beaten to death by 2 soldiers who were then sent to Alcatraz for the crime. Francis died in a car accident. Obituary, Helena Independent (Helena, Montana), July 20, 1934 Father's obituaries, The New York Times (New York), Dec 16, 1935, and Great Falls News (Montana), Dec 18, 1935 Father's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Father's profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914. Mother's obituary, Butte Daily Post (Montana), March 11, 1953 Federal Censuses for Montana - Missoula County (1920), Missoula County, Orchard Homes Township (1930) "Conference No. 25", Time Magazine archives (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,745824-2,00.html), August 7, 1933 Page 14 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:55 PM
Generation 5 (con't) Rose Dreyer. Francis H. Cooney and Rose Dreyer married. They had the following children: i. Hal Cooney. 14. ii. Colleen Cooney was born on 18 Jul 1929. She died about 27 Sep 1995. 8. John Phillip Cooney-5 (Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born on 04 Jul 1903. He died in San Mateo, California. Notes for John Phillip Cooney: John graduated from Missoula (Montana) High School in 1921 and attended the University of Montana for three years. In 1924, John joined the family business, Cooney Brokerage Company (Butte, Montana), as assistant manager and later was elected president and general manager of the business. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Bozeman Canning Company. He served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Butte and was influential in the Butte Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. John was a Catholic and an active leader in his church. He was a Democrat. John died of a heart attack Father's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Father's profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914. Mother's obituary, Butte Daily Post (Montana), March 11, 1953 Profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Federal Censuses for Montana - Missoula County (1920) Helen Downs daughter of Henry Downs and Esther Cosgrove. Notes for Helen Downs: Husband's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. John Phillip Cooney and Helen Downs were married on 20 Nov 1928 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. They had the following children: 15. i. Sharon Virginia Cooney was born (Private). Page 15 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:55 PM
Generation 5 (con't) 9. Mary Margaret "Myrlie" Cooney-5 (Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born about 1907 in Montana. Notes for Mary Margaret "Myrlie" Cooney: Father's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Father's profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914. Mother's obituary, Butte Daily Post (Montana), March 11, 1953 Federal Censuses for Montana - Missoula County (1920), Missoula County, Orchard Homes Township (1930) Jack Hughes. Notes for Jack Hughes: Mother-in-law's obituary, Butte Daily Post (Montana), March 11, 1953 Jack Hughes and Mary Margaret "Myrlie" Cooney married. They had the following children: 16. i. John "Spike" Hughes. He died on 10 Apr 2005 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. ii. Michael Ann Hughes. She died in 2000. Notes for Michael Ann Hughes: Michael Ann died after a battle with breast cancer. iii. Patty Hughes. Notes for Patty Hughes: 10. Walter P. "Packy" Cooney-5 (Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born about 1910 in Montana. Notes for Walter P. "Packy" Cooney: Father's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Page 16 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:55 PM
Generation 5 (con't) Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Father's profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914. Mother's obituary, Butte Daily Post (Montana), March 11, 1953 Federal Censuses for Montana - Missoula County (1920), Missoula County, Orchard Homes Township (1930) Geraldine Knieval. Notes for Geraldine Knieval: According to family sources, Geraldine was an aunt of famed daredevil Evel Knieval Walter P. "Packy" Cooney and Geraldine Knieval married. They had the following children: 17. i. Ann Cooney. 18. ii. John Cooney. iii. Walt Cooney Jr. Notes for Walt Cooney Jr: 11. Virginia Elizabeth "Petey" Cooney-5 (Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born on 03 Jul 1912 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. She died on 01 Apr 1999 in New Mexico. Notes for Virginia Elizabeth "Petey" Cooney: Virginia and brother Tylar were fraternal twins. Ancestor John Sappington's patriot file, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution Father's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Father's profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914. Federal Censuses for Montana - Missoula County (1920) Charles Henry Dunphy. Notes for Charles Henry Dunphy: Charles was from Massachusetts Page 17 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:55 PM
Charles was from Massachusetts Generation 5 (con't) Charles Henry Dunphy and Virginia Elizabeth "Petey" Cooney married. They had the following children: i. Charles H. Dunphy Jr. ii. iii. iv. Ann Elizabeth Dunphy. John William Dunphy. Richard Boyd Dunphy. v. Edward Paul Dunphy. 12. Tylar Thompson Cooney-5 (Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born on 03 Jul 1912 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. He died on 23 Jan 1984 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. Notes for Tylar Thompson Cooney: Tylar and Leona moved to Butte, Montana in 1939. Tylar was employed for 14 years as a driver for Northern Pacific Transport Co. In 1964, he returned to the Cooney Brokerage, where he worked until he retired. Tylar and sister Virginia were fraternal twins Obituary, unknown Montana newspaper, abt Jan 23, 1984 Father's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Father's profile, "Men of Affairs and Representative Institutions of the State of Montana", compiled for the Newspaper Editors of Montana, 1914. Mother's obituary, Butte Daily Post (Montana), March 11, 1953 Federal Censuses for Montana - Missoula County (1920), Missoula County, Orchard Homes Township (1930) Leona Victoria Anderson daughter of Olaf "Ole" Anderson and Victoria Amaua Petersson was born on 27 Jul 1915 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. She died on 04 Nov 1970 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. Notes for Leona Victoria Anderson: Leona died at the age of 55 of breast cancer. She was educated in Missoula and attended the University of Montana, but didn't finish. She was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She's buried in Holy Cross Cemetary in Butte Montana. Page 18 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:55 PM
Generation 5 (con't) Obituary, unknown Montana newspaper, abt Nov 7, 1970 Federal Censuses for Montana - Missoula County (1920) Tylar Thompson Cooney and Leona Victoria Anderson were married in Mar 1935 in Stevensville, Montana. They had the following children: 19. i. Sandra Karin Cooney was born (Private). She married Richard Lawrence Kiehl (Private). 20. ii. Frank Henry Cooney II was born on 27 Oct 1937 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. He died on 29 Mar 1995. 21. iii. James Patrick Cooney was born (Private). iv. Lesley Ann Cooney was born (Private). She married Chuck Kaparich (Private). 22. v. David Byron Cooney was born (Private). 13. Gage Rodman "Rod" Cooney-5 (Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born on 23 Mar 1916 in Missoula, Missoula County, Montana. He died on 19 Aug 1976 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. Notes for Gage Rodman "Rod" Cooney: Rod was a member of the Montana State Highway Commission. For a time, he was president and general manager of the Cooney Food Brokerage, the family business. He servied in the Army Air Corp in World War II. Rod died of a heart attack. Son Mike's entry, Who's Who in America, 1997, Volume 1, A-K Ancestor John Sappington's patriot file, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution Mother-in-law's obituary, unknown Butte, Montana newspaper, abt June 18, 2000 Father's profile, Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978, Volume III (Montana-Pennsylvania), p878. Edited by Robert Sobel and John Raimo, 1978. Mother's obituary, Butte Daily Post (Montana), March 11, 1953 Obituary, Montana Standard (Butte Montana), August 20, 1976 Federal Censuses for Montana - Missoula County (1920), Missoula County, Orchard Homes Township (1930) Ruth Brodie daughter of Hubert "Steve" Brodie and Verna Evelyn Brinkerhoff was born on 20 Mar 1918 in Washington, DC. Notes for Ruth Brodie: Son Mike's entry, Who's Who in America, 1997, Volume 1, A-K Page 19 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:55 PM
Generation 5 (con't) Son Mike's entry, Who's Who in America, 1997, Volume 1, A-K Husband's ancestor John Sappington's patriot file, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution Mother's obituary, a Butte (Montana) paper, abt June 18, 2000 Gage Rodman "Rod" Cooney and Ruth Brodie married (Private). They had the following children: 23. i. Linda Cooney. 24. ii. Pat Cooney. 25. iii. Mike Cooney was born (Private). Generation 6 14. Colleen Cooney-6 (Francis H.-5, Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born on 18 Jul 1929. She died about 27 Sep 1995. James A. Tidyman Jr. James A. Tidyman Jr and Colleen Cooney married. They had the following children: i. Heather J. Tidyman. 26. ii. J. Scott Tidyman. 15. Sharon Virginia Cooney-6 (John Phillip-5, Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1) was born (Private). Notes for Sharon Virginia Cooney: Father's profile, "A History of Montana, Volume III", by Helen Fitzgerald Sanders, page 1494. Published by The Lewis Publishing Company (Chicago and New York), 1913. Leo Signorotti. Leo Signorotti and Sharon Virginia Cooney married. They had the following children: i. John Signorotti. ii. Carol Signorotti. 16. John "Spike" Hughes-6 (Mary Margaret "Myrlie"-5, Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1). He died on 10 Apr 2005 in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. Notes for John "Spike" Hughes: Page 20 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:55 PM
Generation 6 (con't) Unknown. John "Spike" Hughes and Unknown married. They had the following children: i. Layton Hughes. Notes for Layton Hughes: 17. Ann Cooney-6 (Walter P. "Packy"-5, Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1). Notes for Ann Cooney: Don Leuty. Notes for Don Leuty: Don Leuty and Ann Cooney married. They had the following children: i. Jake Leuty. Notes for Jake Leuty: ii. Stella Leuty. Notes for Stella Leuty: 18. John Cooney-6 (Walter P. "Packy"-5, Frank Henry "FH"-4, John Ward-3, Patrick-2, Father-1). Notes for John Cooney: Mary Lou. Page 21 of 28 Sunday, July 04, 2010 12:59:55 PM