LOONEY: Of Walton and Pocatalico.
John and Phoebe (Huffman) Looney, his wife, came and commenced their home in this county in the year of its birth, 1856. John was a brother of Robert of Smithfield.
He was born in Botetourt County, Virginia (Craig County now), January 14, 1814, son of Joseph Looney. She was born in same county, February 16, 1816, daughter of Jacob Huffman. They appear to have lived in Tazwell County for a time, from which county they came to Roane County with their family of sons and daughters, whose names are as follows:
David Giles, Lewis, Nancy M., Mary A., Permelia D., and John Madison.
David Giles Looney, son of John and Phoebe (Huffman) Looney, his wife, was twice married; first wife Clara S. Peters, born 1838, married November 17, 1863. Of this marriage were born five children: James Lewis, September 19, 1864; Phoebe E., April 23, 1866; Jacob H., August 16, 1867; Christain P., March 18, 1869 and Rebecca A., January 13, 1871. The wife, Clara S., having died, David Giles Looney married Mary E. Hammack, March 8, 1874. Of this marriage two sons and two daughters were born; their names and births: Barbara J., January 25, 1876; Charles R., February 10, 1878; Henry P., August 15, 1880, and Fannie E., January 15, 1883.
James Lewis Looney, son of David Giles and wife, Clara, united in marriage with Mary Lucretia Barr, February 7, 1889; his age 20, her age 21. She was born in Gallia County, Ohio, daughter of Jacob Barr, who settled with his family on Long Ridge, some time in the 1880's. James L. and Lucretia have reared three daughters and one son: Grace, Sylvia, Pearl and Jacob Christopher.
Grace married Dr. Waitman T. Smith, November 11, 1914; his age 26, her age 23; Pearl married Hubert S. Adams, November 25, 1918; his age 27, her's 26; Sylvia married Lyle H. Tracy, January 19, 1924; his
age 32, her age 26.
Jacob Christopher married Aubra E. Casto, June 3, 1919; his age ,23, her's 21. James L. Looney and all his family, except Grace, live in Spencer now, 1927.
Lewis W. Looney, son of John and Phoebe (Huffman) Looney, was born in Tazewell County, Virginia, February 20, 1856. On February 13, 1864, he married Rebecca F. Gibson, born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, January 8, 1842, daughter of Robert H., and Mary (Spotts) Gibson, at time of this marriage living near Charleston, W. Va. Rebecca F. Gibson received the first teacher's certificate issued in Roane County under the free school system. Lewis W. and his wife, Rebecca F., made their lifetime home on Round Knob Creek of Upper Poca. They felled the forest and made many fine fields there. Their's was known for many years as the best farm of that part of Walton District. The names and dates of birth of their children are as follows:
Mary Esta, July 6, 1864, wife of James Madison Butcher; Mattie J., October 1, 1866, married James J. Taylor, 23, April 7, 1887; John Houston, January 26, 1869, married Miss Laura Ethel Ferrell, August 22, 1900, his age 31, her age 18; Lloyd G., August 17, 1873; Phoebe Susan, July 12, 1876, married Madison (Mat) L. Ferrell.
Of the above family John Houston Looney is most widely known; was a successful school teacher for many years, commencing quite young. He succeeded to and owns the home farm on Round Knob; keeps the farm; is a student yet and keeps well posted in current affairs.
Of the three daughters of John and Phoebe (Huffman) Looney, we are told Nancy M. became the wife of Robert Henderson; Mary A., the wife of John W. Lynch, year 1866, and Permelia D. wife of Presley Sergent. See names, Henderson, Lynch, Sergent.
John Madison Looney, son of John and Phoebe Huffman Looney, was born in Monroe County, Virginia, 1856, came here with the family in the year 1856. He married Cynthia Vineyard, daughter of Delana Vineyard, January 30, 1883. Soon acquired a large farm at mouth of Johnson's Creek of Poca; dealt also in stock and was popular as a first farmer for twenty years. Was elected and served one or more terms as a Commissioner of the County Court. His name is on several highway bridge plates as such member, or as president of the Court of year, 1900 and onward. To John Madison and Cynthia (Vineyard), his wife, have been born on dates in order of name given, the following children:
Gillie Myrtle, Sydney Delana, now an M. D.; Melissa, Delana V., Velma R., became the wife of Coy C. Conley, April 26, 1916; her age 20, his age 26; George H., Theodore Roosevelt, Catherine Delores and Quentin A. The last four, being children at home yet.
Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927 William H. Bishop, Esq. pp 589-591
