On the Trail for Smith Origin
The following are the obituaries for Owen Smith (Irish John Smith's brother) and his mother, Catherine (Smith) Rooney. Catherine's husband, Peter Smith, died either in Ireland or enroute to the United States on one of the "coffin ships". She remained widowed for nearly 20 years before re-marrying. In the late 19th century, obituary announcements were generally short notices, as these Tim received from the Genealogical Society:
I have
located an obit for a Mr. Smith (no first name) Home News of 29
March 1894.
It reads: Mr
Smith, aged about 40 years, stepson of Wm. Rooney of Bear
Creek, died
on Tuesday.
His brother
in Dakota has been wired and will undoubtedly be here at the
funeral. We
have not learned the particulars.
Nothing found
on Catherine Rooney
I did find
Mrs. William Rooney of Richland Center, Home News of 13 May 1915.
Died 11 May
1915.
Hope this
might help.
Jean
Spring Green
Community Library