Ancestor Report
generation I

1 (0)
man‎Steven Wagar‏‎
Died ‎before 2011
generation II (Parents)

2 (1)
manJohn Darwin Wagar‏ PRIVACY FILTER
  to:
3 (1)
womanNila Jean Flahaven‏
Born ‎4 Oct 1929 Trail City, Corson, South Dakota, USA, died ‎8 Nov 2011 Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA‎, age 82 years
Name: Nila Jean Wagar Flahaven
Age at Death: 82
Date of Birth: 4 Oct 1929
Birth Place: Trail City, South Dakota, USA
Date of Death: 8 Nov 2011
Source Location: Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, USA
Spouse: John Wagar
Children: Jean (Tony) Heinen of Oostburg, Karen (Steve) Leynse of Oost burg and Terri (Perry) Dekker of Port Washington

Parents: Edward Flahaven [Esther Collins Flahaven]

Brothers and Sisters: Betty Flahaven of Aberdeen, SD; James (Ruth), Ea rl and Gerald Flahaven; Lyle (Kay) Flahaven of Cross Plains, TN

Full Obituary: Nila Wagar Nila J. Wagar, 82, formerly of Oostburg, pea cefully went home to her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 8, 201 1 at Rocky Knoll Health Care Facility. Nila was born on October 4, 19 29, in Trail City, SD, daughter of Edward and Esther (Collins) Flahave n. She graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in Aberdeen, SD. Ni la married John Wagar on August 4, 1953 in Aberdeen, SD. Nila was empl oyed with Bemis Manufacturing for 16 years until her retirement in 199 2. Previously she worked at Musebeck Shoe Co. in Cedar Grove for two y ears. Nila was a member of Blessed Trinity Parish in Sheboygan Falls . She enjoyed cooking, baking, reading, traveling, card playing, and s pending time with her children, grandchildren and Bemis friends.

Nila is survived by three daughters, Jean (Tony) Heinen of Oostburg, K aren (Steve) Leynse of Oostburg and Terri (Perry) Dekker of Port Washi ngton; two sons, Lyle (Linda) Wagar of Adell and Bill Wagar of West Al lis; 10 grandchildren, Thomas, Megan, Patrick and Phillip Heinen, Coli n, Ryan and Mallory Leynse, Matthew and Sam Dekker, and Bryan Wagar; f our great grandchildren, Constance, Danielle, and Kathryn Richey, Owe n Kawski; one brother Lyle (Kay) Flahaven of Cross Plains, TN; one sis ter-in-law, Betty Flahaven of Aberdeen, SD; and an aunt, Edith Burrel l of Gettysburg, SD. Nila is also survived by nieces, nephews, other r elatives and many friends. Nila was preceded in death by her son, Ste ven Wagar and three brothers, James (Ruth), Earl and Gerald Flahaven.

A memorial service to celebrate Nilas life will be held at 3 pm on Sat urday, November 12, 2011 at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg. Relati ves and friends may call from 1-3 pm on Saturday at the funeral home . A memorial fund has been established in Nila’s name for The Gatheri ng Place and Rocky Knoll Health Care Center. For online condolences a nd additional information please visit www.wenigfuneralhome.com. The W agar family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the dedica ted staff at Rocky Knoll Health Care Center for the exceptional care g iven to Nila and their family for the past four years. The staff of th e Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the Waga r family.
generation III (Grandparents)

6 (3)
manCPL Edward J "Edgar" Flahaven‏
Born ‎11 Apr 1892 Getty Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, died ‎24 Nov 1967 Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota‎, age 75 years
  Married ‎1921, age 28 or 29 years (married 45 or 46 years) to:
7 (3)
womanEsther G Collins‏
Born ‎20 Jun 1901 Sheldon, Iowa, died ‎2 May 1981 Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota‎, age 79 years
generation IV (Great-Grandparents)

12 (6)
manBartholomew Thomas "Bart" Flahaven‏
Born ‎May 1862 Ohio, died ‎3 Oct 1933 Dewey, Hyde County, South Dakota‎, age 71 years
Bartholomew ("Bart") arrived in Minnesota with his parents and siblings in 1867 or 1868. His uncle John and his wife Margaret and two boys came at the same time. Born in Ireland were his parents and one brother (b. 1859), and sister Johanna was born in Ohio in 1860, so they emigrated to the U.S. in 1859 or 1860. Bart was born in Ohio, as were two of his siblings and one of his cousins.

Bart's wife, Julia Ann Egan, a great granddaughter of Michael and Catherine Rooney, was a first cousin once-removed to his brother Michael Flahaven's wife, Mary Ann Killeen, who was a granddaughter of Michael and Catherine Rooney.

Bart's own family is confusing because his wife died in 1900 and the children were then scattered about. Mabel was with Michael Killeen and family in Raymond Township in the 1900 census and in Sauk Centre in the 1905 census. Jesse, Olive and Lavina ("Viney") were with their grandparents, James and Mary (Rooney) Egan, in the 1900 and 1905 censuses in Bangor Township, Pope County.

In 1910 Lavina ("Flavin") is with her Aunt Agnes (Elizabeth Agnes Egan) and husband Michael Batterberry and family in Burbank Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota - her grandmother, the wife of James Egan, having died in 1905. In 1920 she is a boarder in Sauk Centre.

Olive Mary was with uncle John T Egan and family in Bangor, Pope, in 1910. Jessie ("Jesse Flaven") is with an Arthur and Benna (b. 1893 in ND) Ritterman in Irvine, Benson, North Dakota in 1920 as farm labor.

Mable is with Michael and Hannah Killeen in Raymond Township, Stearns County in 1900. She is listed as a cousin.
  Married ‎1886, age 23 or 24 years (married 13 or 14 years) to:
13 (6)
womanJulia Ann "Juliana" Egan‏
Born ‎17 Jan 1869 Raymond Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, died ‎23 Apr 1900 Raymond Township, Stearns County, Minnesota‎, age 31 years, buried Padua, Stearns County, Minnesota
Julia died at age 31 of Pleurisy.

Her parents were from Getty or Grove Township, Stearns County.


Wife of Bartholomew Flahaven. Daughter of James Egan and Mary Rooney.

Gravesite Details
Burial location "Padua-in town of Raymond, Irish Catholic Cemetery"
generation V (Great Great-Grandparents)

26 (13)
manJames Egan‏
Born ‎Jul 1826 Mayo, Ireland, died ‎6 Feb 1912 Bangor Township, Pope County, Minnesota Event Description: Padua Cemetery, Stearns, Minnesota‎, age 85 years, buried Padua, Stearns County, Minnesota
The family is in the 1870 census of Raymond Township, Stearns County, Minnesota.


Originally published February 16, 1912, The Brooten Review

James Egan

James Egan passed away Tuesday, Feb. 6, 1912, at the farm home five miles west of Brooten, aged 87 years. He was a sufferer for years with rheumatism and with his advanced age his death was not unexpected.

He was born in Ireland and emigrated to America and was one of the earliest settlers in this locality. He was well known and was honored and respected by all.

He leaves to mourn his death, three sons and three daughters, namely John Egan and Joe Egan, of Brooten, James Egan, of Donnybrook, N. Dak., Mrs. M. O. Batterbury, of New London, Mrs. James Chisom and Mrs. Ed Callahan, of Seattle, Wash.

Funeral services were held at Padua, Friday Feb. 9. The pallbearers were Hugh Rooney, Martin Gannon, Robert Haug, Frank Landwhier, Carl N. Nelson and Mr. Daniels.

The sympathy of the people of this community is extended the bereaved relatives.

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.
  Married ‎18 Jun 1860 Farrellton, Outaouais, Quebec, Canada, age 33 years Marriage witnesses: Patrick Egan & Bridget McGary(?). (married 45 years) to:
27 (13)
womanMaria "Mary" Rooney‏
Born ‎14 May 1836 Wakefield Township, Outaouais, Quebec, Canada, died ‎26 Aug 1905 Bangor Township, Pope County, Minnesota Event Description: Padua Cemetery, Stearns, Minnesota‎, age 69 years, buried Padua, Stearns County, Minnesota
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.
generation VI (3rd Great-Grandparents)

54 (27)
manPatrick Rooney‏
Born ‎2 Feb 1808 Ireland, died ‎9 Apr 1889 Bangor Township, Pope County, Minnesota Event Description: St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery, Stearns, Minnesota‎, age 81 years, buried Padua, Stearns County, Minnesota
Cause of death: Old age
  Married ‎± 1834 Ireland or Canada, age approximately 26 years (married approximately 35 years) to:
55 (27)
womanElenor "Ellen" Tracy‏
Born ‎1816 Ireland, died ‎25 Apr 1869 Padua, Stearns County, Minnesota Event Description: St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery, Padua, Stearns, MN‎, age 52 or 53 years
Ellen died of a stroke.

The "Tracy" name seems to disappear in the Gatineau valley after the 1861 census.
generation VII (4th Great-Grandparents)

108 (54)
manMichael ""Daddy Mick"" Rooney‏
Born ‎1782 Ireland, died ‎12 Jan 1857 Wakefield Township, Outaouais, Quebec, Canada Event Description: St. Camillus Catholic Cemetery, Farrellton, Quebec, Canada, age 74‎, age 74 or 75 years, buried ‎Jan 1857 Farrellton, Outaouais, Quebec, Canada
Michael Rooney and Catherine Caulfield emigrated to Canada around 1845 (although there are land records showing Rooney's in the Canada farm census of 1841). In their 60's, they followed several of their grown children, the earliest who was in Canada by 1829. They settled in the Gatineau River region of Quebec, north of Ottawa, near the town of Farrelton (present day La Pêche).
The two oldest boys - Patrick (b. 1808) and Michael (b. 1809) - had their own farms in Canada. They also probably did some contract lumbering as this region was rich in lumber and this was the heyday of lumber being shipped by boat to Great Britain.

Michael and Catherine's grandson Thomas T. Rooney, son of John R. Rooney (1854-1925), was possibly a second cousin to his wife Ellen E Rooney (1872-1902). Her grandfather, John Rooney, would have been born at an age to be a brother to Daddy Mick. John's descendants coincidentally fit into the Michael and Catherine Rooney line when a granddaughter married married a Daddy Mick Rooney grandson.

As of 2017, it has been proven by finding DNA matches on Ancestry between the Padua Rooney branch and descendants of the Avon Rooney branch. However, the exact connection is still to be determined.

The Egan's and Rooney's intermarried eight times (all of the couples dying in Pope or Stearns County):

James Rooney (1848-1926)
Ann Egan (1846-1914)

Mary Ann Rooney (1865-1937)
Dennis Egan (1849->1910)

William Edward Rooney (1897-1980)
Mary Emily Egan (1897-1990). Mary was an orphan train adoptee, so not genetically an Egan or a Rooney, even though her "grandfather" was John R. Rooney. Also, her husband William Edward Rooney was one of the "Avon Rooney's." Though not genetically an Egan or a Rooney, even though her "great grandfather" was Michael Rooney on the Padua side, she married William Edward Rooney whose great grandfather was John Rooney the Avon side. Thus by prior relationship they were 3rd cousins, but unrelated by consanguinity.

Mary Rooney (1837-1905)
James Egan (1826-1912)

Eleanor Rooney (1842-1902)
Patrick Egan (1833-1892)

Elizabeth A Rooney (1866-1904) (first-cousin once-removed to her husband)
Thomas Edward Egan (1862-1928)

Martin Gannon (1848-1911) (son of Mary Egan and grandson of Thomas B Egan)
Catherine Kilroe (1859->1940) (granddaughter of Bridget Rooney and great granddaughter of Daddy Mick/Mammy Kitty Rooney)

Daniel Michael Rooney (1955-2014) was related to his wife, Karen Ann Majerus (1957-living): His great great grandparents were Michael and Catherine Rooney, while Karen's 4x great grandparents were Michael and Catherine. Thus, they were third cousins twice-removed. Also, Karen is an Egan descendent as well.

Including the three cousin marriages listed just above, there are these additional three:

In 1877, Sarah Margaret Tracy, daughter of Ann Rooney, married her first cousin, John J. Rooney, son of Patrick Rooney.

In 1888, Hugh M. Rooney married his first cousin, Winifred Sophia Rooney.

In about 1889, Thomas T. Rooney of the Padua Rooney branch married his second cousin, Ellen E. Rooney, of the Avon Rooney branch.


Randy Rooney says (May 2016):

"I have been in contact with my closest Y-DNA result match who has a genetic distance of 1 out of the 37 markers I had tested. His great grandfather, Patrick [Rooney] b. ~1845, was from Dundalk, County Louth , just south of County Down. Is it possible that we aren't finding Rooney's in the area of Parish Moore since Michael wasn't from that part of Ireland, but just started his family there because Catherine was from there? And if Michael didn't have strong family ties to the area, did that prompt their emigration from Ireland. It seems reasonable they lived near Parish Moore at one time if Thomas married Ellen Ward there, and Michael/Catherine are listed as being from Co. Galway on the Canadian marriage record of John Rooney/Mary McCool. However, what else is known about where they had lived prior to Canada? The more we learn, the more questions there seem to be…"

Earlier in his email Randy said: "Clonburren and Moore South graveyards, [the two others besides the Kilbegley Cemetery associated with the Parish of Moore in Roscommon], have been completed already [cleaning, reading and photographing old monuments], so you can see what Kilbegley eventually will include. I found the Moore South graveyard interesting since there were many Caulfield's, but no Rooney's."
Ten Caulfield's, to be exact.


July, 2017:

Looking at Geraldine Felling Walsh's Ancestry DNA pages. She and her siblings and several of her living first cousins are closer to the Rooney ancestors genetically than are any of the rest of us. There are a number of people related to her that have a Rooney in their family tree, but those Rooney's have no known connection to us. The furtherest ancestor any of them listed could be as close as a first cousin or a nephew or niece to "Daddy Mick." They appear so far to come from either Leitrim or Mayo in Ireland. Maybe they are from a "Leitrim" branch?
  Married/ Related to:
109 (54)
womanCatherine ""Mammy Kitty"; Catharine on gravestone" Caulfield‏
Born ‎1783 Ireland, died ‎17 Feb 1875 Raymond Township, Stearns County, Minnesota Event Description: Padua Cemetery, Stearns, Minnesota, age 91‎, age 91 or 92 years, buried Padua, Stearns County, Minnesota
After "Daddy Mick" died in 1857 and was buried in the Catholic cemetery in Farrelton, Mammie Kitty emigrated to the U.S.A. with eight of her nine grown children and their families. They came first to St. Anthony Falls, site the present-day Minneapolis, which was so small it could be covered in a half hour by horse and buggy. Later they moved to Stearns County, Raymond Township - a place at first called "Rooneys' Settlement, later called Padua, between 1865 and 1870.

Ambrose Rooney said that his father used to talk about "Grandma Kitty " and thought that there was something funny about her. Ambrose Gaffaney said his mother used to talk about a lady who smoked a pipe (Mary McCool, wife of John Rooney, smoked a pipe; Marilyn Rooney Lysen is now in possession of the pipe).