All history is local until it is woven together with other stories to become part of the National fabric and there is no aspect of National history that doesn’t touch Tazewell County. 

Stephen was born 9 September 1804 in Chester County, Pennsylvania to James and Elizabeth Church Roney. He was married to Ann Wallace (1799-1865) about 1825 in Chester County. Ann was a daughter of Charles Wallace and Ann Truman. Their parents were Quakers and his grandfather served in the Revolution. 

Steve and Ann stayed in Chester County for the early years of their marriage but in 1837 they relocated to Exeter, Scott County, Illinois where Steve was employed as a Blacksmith.

In 1852 the family moved to Pekin where Roney opened his hardware store in Flint’s Row, next to L. H. Wilky’s, at 33 Court street. He sold Iron and Steel, Sheet Iron, Crowbars, Nails, Spikes, Anvils, Vices, Bellows, Sledge Hammers, Wagon Boxes; Cable, Log and Trace Chains; Cook, Parlor and Coal stoves; Charcoal Furnaces, Wagon and Buggy Axel-trees, and Buggy Springs; Glass, White, Red and Black Lead; Linseed Oil, Collin’s Axes, Mowing and Cradle Scythes; Smoothing Irons, Spades; Shovels, Forks; Grind Stones, &c., of which will sell low for cash. The store was near the river and did a big business.

In 1853 Roney was assigned bounty land in Section 12 of Hittle Twp. that had been awarded to Sgt. David Greaton (1810-1873) for his service in Captain Winter’s Militia during the Black Hawk War. Both men were living in Scott County in 1850 and were likely known to one another. Roney sold the land without occupying it. He operated his Pekin store until his death 12 October 1884 and was buried in Lakeside next to his wife Ann. Steve and Ann had four daughters:  

Elizabeth A. was born 6 June 1827 in Chester Co., married Willard Wood 14 October 1847 in Scott Co., and passed 23 January 1901. She is buried in Exeter. Lizzie’s children were Charles, William, Otis, Henry and Mary.

Caroline was born 9 December 1836 in Chester Co., married William Olmstead 1 June 1858 in Exeter and passed away 29 March 1906 in Pekin. She is buried at Lakeside in Pekin.

Mary C. was born 27 January 1841 in Exeter and she married James L. Briggs in Pekin 8 October 1862. She passed on 30 April 1920 and was buried in Lakeside near her parents. Mary and James had three daughters:  Annie May born 21 August 1862 in Pekin who would marry James T. Allensworth and eventually move to Nebraska. She passed 8 July 1952. Susie Eugenia born 16 May 1866 who would marry Frank E. Buckley. Eugenia died 3 November 1944 and was buried at Springdale in Peoria. The youngest, Mary Wise was born 13 March 1871 in Pekin and married Harry Allen. Wise died 4 December 1933 and is buried in Mackinaw Cemetery. 

We recently received a large donation of Briggs family documents that we will be sharing in the Monthly as the year unfolds.

The Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society is an award-winning 501c3, all volunteer organization that has been in continuous service to our members and the public for 47 years. TCGHS operates an archive, library, and research facility at 719 N. 11th St., Pekin. Visit our website at www.tcghs.org to learn more about us. If you have any point of interest that you would like to know more about, stop in at TCGHS or drop us a line.