Source: Clarkson W. Weesner, History of Wabash County, Indiana, Vol. II, pp. 858-859

JAMES N. RONEY. Representing the second generation of a well known Wabash county family, James N. Roney besides his success as a practical farmer in Pleasant township has a useful and influential part in public affairs, and his service as township assessor and township trustee is remembered to his credit in that locality.

James N. Roney was born June 26, 1869, on the farm which he now occupies. This place was settled by his father, Thomas Roney, about 1865. The parents were Thomas and Nancy (Ogan) Roney, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of German parentage. Thomas Roney first settled in Wabash county about 1851, afterwards lived for several years in Kosciusko county, and they returned to Pleasant township and developed a good estate, where he lived until his death in 1893, while his wife passed away in 1901. Other facts of the family history, which connects this name with early days in Wabash county will be found in a sketch of Albert Roney elsewhere in this publication.

James N. Roney, the youngest son of his parents, grew up in Pleasant township, had his present farm as the scene of his first association and experiences, besides such education as was afforded by the local schools he attended the higher courses of instruction in Terre Haute and at Valparaiso. When his education was completed he returned home and became actively identified with farming on his father's place. Mr. Roney married Marguerite Tracey, daughter of Hugh Tracey. They are the parents of four children: Elizabeth, Esther, Eleanore and James H., all of whom were born on the present farm. While Mr. Roney is a member of no church, his wife is a Catholic. The Roney farm has a number of first class improvements, but the residence was placed there by his father and the barn is the result of his own building. By general farming he keeps his place in the community as a prosperous business man, and has surrounded himself with the comforts and a satisfying degree of prosperity.

A democrat in politics, Mr. Roney has for a number of years interested himself in local questions of good government, and after four years of efficient service as assessor in his township was elected to the important office of trustee in 1904. Mr. Roney affiliates with the Masonic Lodge at Manchester, and belongs to the Elks Lodge at Wabash.