Francis John Roane (1893 - 1942)

Born 16 Jun 1893 in Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Elizabeth (McCarron) Roane — married 8 Feb 1915 in Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Died 25 Aug 1942 at age 49 in Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Christine Roane [send private message]

Biography

Francis Roane is one of twins.

Private Francis Roane served in the United States Army in World War I
Service started: 24 Jul 1918
Unit(s): 12th Div. 212th Engrs'
Service ended: 21 Jan 1919

WW I Veteran

Francis "Frank" J. Roane was the twin brother of John F. Roane, Jr., born to John F. & Mary (Donahue) Roane in June 1893. Their mother died when they were seven years old, and they grew looking up to elder sister, "Mollie," as their mother figure.

Frank enjoyed sports, sang in church and for public occasions. The first world war introduced him to a larger world, as he served in Europe, and returned there after the peace, with a veterans delegation. He was remarked on by Belgium's King Leopold, with he toured WWI battlefields. Frank learned he had a way of expressing himself that was persuasive and left an impression on others, men - and women.

Records received from the National Personnel Record Center for Francis John Roane labeled Final Payment Roll of Company D, 212th Engr's (12th Division) Camp Devens shows Private Francis John Roane, Army Ser.# 3154981, Enlistment; 24 Jul 1918 @ Lowell, Mass. receiving Final Pay Roll from Jan 1, to discharge date Jan 21, 1919 of $6.73. ^[1] The 12th Division was organized 9 Jul 1918 at Camp Devens, Mass. and an advance attachment arrived in Liverpool, England 8 Nov 1918, three days prior to Armistice Day. In Dec 1918 the advance attachment returned to Camp Devens and the 12th Division was demobilization by 31 Jan 1919.^[2]

Note; Of all the paperwork received from the National Personnel Records Center for Francis John Roane, most of it was for John Francis Roane Jr. who served as a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve Force from 13 Apr 1918 to 4 Feb 1919 at Newport, R.I..

Frank married Lowell native, Anna E. McCarron, in February 1915^[3] and their son, Philip J. Roane, was in March and died a year later.^[4] This tragic beginning to married life seems to have hung like a dark cloud over them. Though a daughter Mary Catherine Roane (married Raymond McCusker), was born to them in 1917, they never made a home together. Anna and their daughter lived at the McCarron house, and Frank's address was always his father's house, 46 Burtt Street.

Frank "The Peach" Roane, lived his life out loud. Interestingly, the regular mentions of his activities in gossip columns, never referenced his domestic life. [To be continued... Roane's Pennsylvanians, RCA, Commodore...Democratic party... kindness...]

---Lowell Sun (Lowell, MA) - Wednesday 26 August 1942, Page 1---
F. J. Roane Dies at Hospital
Burtt street Man Known to Hundreds as "The Peach"

LOWELL---Francis J. Roane, whose many enterprises ranging from dance band promotions to office seeking made him a well known and well liked figure to thousands, died last night at St. Johns hospital in his 50th year.

A veteran of the last war, "The Peach," as he was known to many, had been ill for many months, with his condition taking a serious turn several weeks ago. A patient at several Boston hospitals, he was removed to St. John's about (continued on page 3) two weeks ago. Death came shortly after eight o'clock last night.

A familiar figure in Kearney square for the past 10 years or so, Frank Roane was a product of the South End section of the city. He was the son of John F. and the late Mary (Donahue) Roane, the former being a prominent retired letter carrier.

He attended Edson school and Lowell high school and before the last World war, was a machinist by trade. When the war came, in 1917, he was one of the hundreds of Lowell men to volunteer for service in the armed forces.

Upon discharge from the army, his flair for promotion dissuaded him from resuming his trade as a machinist, and he began in a small scale the promotion of dances in old Associate hall in Merrimack street. His ability to cater to the needs of the public soon won him renown in the dance-band field and in a short time his name became synonymous with first-rate and large-scale promotions of this sort.

He later transferred his activities to a ballroom on Thorndike street, and in addition to bringing to the city the best attractions in jazz orchestras, he became he backer of Roane's Pennsylvanians steering this unit to nation-wide acclaim.

He branched out with promotion at Merrimack park and Roseland and in other cities and became one of the most colorful figures in the dance band world.

About eight years ago, he withrew from the dance promotional field and diverted his activities to other channels. He became intensely interested in politics and was twice the Democratic nominee for congress from the Fifth Congressional district.

In politics, there was only one party to "the Peach" and that was the "unterrified Democracy." While running for local offices he became well known to the electorate for his aggressive attacks on anything Republican. He was very outspoken and relished the chance to address a throng and expound his political beliefs.

One of the highlights of his life was the trip to Europe shortly after the last war when he visited the battlefieflds with a group of American Legionnaires. He met royalty and traveled with it and enjoyed his tour heartily.

He lived in Lowell all his life, stating repeatedly, there "was no other place like it."

Besides his father, he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Anna E. Roane, one daughter, Mrs. Mary McCusker, a sister, Miss Mollie M. Roane, three brothers: Paul J. Roane, clerk in the city's purchasing department, James P. H. Roane, junior high school athletic director, and George E. Roane of Los Angeles, Calif.; two grandchildren: Tony Pat McCusker and Moira Anna McCusker, and several nieces and nephews.^[5]

He was given a funeral suitable for his fame, and buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Francis John Roane personnel records from the National Personnel Records Center were supplied to Francis's grand nephew Roane-111
2. ↑ Order of Battle of the U.S. Land Forces in the World War, Volume 3, Part 2, Pg. 646-648, https://history.army.mil/html/books/023/23-4/CMH_Pub_23-4.pdf
3. ↑ Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 17 Sep 2018); Roane; Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915. Rec. Date: 8 Jan 2016; New England Historic Genealogical Society; Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Vital Records, 1911-1915; Volume: 632.
4. ↑ AmericanAncestors.org : accessed 17 May 2018), Roane. Deaths 1916 Lowell, vol 44 pg. 1-501; 17 Feb-9 May, Page 248, Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1916-1920. From original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2018.) Original index: Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1920. FamilySearch, 2011.) https://www.americanancestors.org/DB2738/r/1422438939
5. ↑ Lowell Sun and Citizen Leader, "F. J. Roane Dies at Hospital - Burtt street Man Known to Hundreds as "The Peach"," (Various), 26 Aug 1942, p. 1 & 3, col. 8; digital images(https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-aug-26-1942-p-1/ : accessed 18 Sep 2018). Rec. Date: 3 Sep 2018; [Photo in suit]; World Archives (Guernsey) Limited
6. ↑ The Lowell Sun (Lowell, MA); 28 Aug 1942, Page 3, Many Attend Roane Rites.

• Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915;

Event Type: Marriage; Event Date: 8 February 1915; Event Place: Lowell, Lowell, Penobscot, Massachusetts; Name: Francis J Roane; Age: 21; Birth Year (Estimated): 1894; Birthplace: Lowell; Marital Status: Widowed; Father's Name: John F Roane; Mother's Name: Mary Donahue; Spouse's Name: Anna E McCarron; Spouse's Age: 21; Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1894; Spouse's Birthplace: Lowell; Spouse's Father's Name: Anthony McCarron; Spouse's Mother's Name: Cassie Teague; Page: 527; Number of Images: 1; Record Number: 17980; Registration Place: Lowell, , Massachusetts; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N4X8-LVC

• United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918;

Draft Registration; Event Date: 1917-1918; Event Place: Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Francis J Roane; Birth Date: 16 June 1893; Birthplace: Lowell, Massachusetts; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZN9-9SF

• United States World War II Registration Card. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V12L-GXM
• Find A Grave: Memorial #116208296