John Francis, the second child of John and Mary (Hurney) Roane, was born in a building at Gorham and Summer streets in Lowell, Massachusetts that also housed his father's grocery store. He baptized three days after his birth, on 29 June 1861[1] into the Roman Catholic faith of his parents. Before the next year was out (1862), John's brother, James was born, and the two were certainly close as they grew up together, weathering family tragedies that included deaths of two younger siblings (Cecilia Ann and Martin Henry) and the loss of his father in Ireland in 1869, when he was eight years old.
Of necessity, John became the man of the house, an essential helper for his mother over the next three years. In early 1873, the widow, Mary Roane married Patrick O'Neill, likely freeing John from some burdens and allowing him to enjoy part of his boyhood in Lowell's South End neighborhood.
John finished school and got involved in city politics, serving as Ward 3 representative to the Common Council. He resigned his position in 1888 [2] and he may have had two good reasons for that decision. That year he got a job with the United States Postal Service, as a mail carrier, a job he held for 40 years. The other reason, linked to the solid, living wage job, was that he intended to marry.
On 3 June 1889, John wed Mary Josephine Donahoe (d/o Patrick And Bridget (Fitzpatrick) Donahoe), who was known as Mollie. Within a year, their first child was born, the only daughter in the typically large, Irish Catholic family (Mary). Next came Paul, then twins, John and Frank, James, George and Joseph.
The baby, Joseph, born in 1899 died at 8 months, at the end of May 1900. In addition to the grief of that loss, John's beloved wife, his Mollie, was ill. Her physical state deteriorated as the year wore on, and as the year closed, Mary died, aged 38, leaving a grieving husband and six motherless children.
John F. Roane never remarried. His eldest child, the 10-year-old daughter Mary (known as "Aunt Mollie" to two generations of Roanes), ran the household and brought up five brothers.
In 1902, John, again, had to help his mother. His step-father and half-brother Fred, both died in 1896; his married sister died in 1899 and half-brother Frank O'Neill lost his fight against tuberculosis. Mary (Hurney) Roane O'Neill had nursed them all and John F. Roane was the only survivor among the 10 children she bore. John managed the property at Gorham and Summer streets where his mother still lived, until her passing in 1919.
The sale of that property helped John move his large family from their tiny house on Chapel Street (St. Peter's parish) to a larger home on Burtt Street (St. Margaret's parish).
As a mail carrier, John F. Roane, was a union organizer and elected president of his local. He also represented the local at regional meetings, and a national meeting in Ohio.
He was described as "a noted singer," in an obituary. He sang at mass in Lowell's churches and entertained at special events. His sons must have inherited his vocal attributes, as articles in Lowell newspapers over decades name his sons as vocalists.
John Francis Roane, by all accounts, was a personable, hard working, and well respected member of his community. His vigorous constitution and prudent habits, kept him alert and healthy for most of his 82 years.
He rests in the family plot in St. Patrick's cemetery.
---The Lowell Sun (Lowell, Massachusetts) - Saturday, October 24, 1942---
Death Again Strikes at Roane Family
Father of Prominent Family Fourth in 18 Months
LOWELL ---John F. Roane, retired letter carrier and head of a prominent family here, died this morning at his home, 46 Burtt street, after an illness of two days. He was in his 82nd year.
His death was the fourth to visit the Roane family in the past 18 months. A son, John Roane died 18 months ago. Mrs. Paul F. [J.] Roane, wife of another son, died as result of a railroad crossing accident that took place Memorail day last year, and another son, Frank, died two months ago.
Mr. Roane was born in Lowell in the South End section of the city, June 26, 1861. He was a member of St. Peter's parish until about 25 years ago when he moved to the Highlands section of the city and became a member of St. Margaret's. A noted singer, he was a member of the choirs of both churches and sang at many entertainments in this city in the past half century.
Early in his life, Mr. Roane became a letter carrier and served in this capacity for 40 years, retiring 14 years ago. He was a former member of the old city council, representing Ward 3 for several years.
He was stricken two days ago after having been about his usual daily tasks on Wednesday. His vigor in the late years of his life and his interest in the occurrences of the day was amazing to his many friends and acquaintances.
He is survived by a daughter, Mary M. Roane, three sons, Paul J. Roane of the staff of the city purchasing agent's office; James P.H. Roane of the local school department and George E. Roane of Los Angeles, Calif. and six grandchildren and three great grandchildren besides many nieces and nephews.
DNA Triangulation; Stephen Roane (Ancestry.com)(23andMe) to John Francis Roane to Christina Roane (Ancestry.com), (2nd. cousins)
(1) Massachusetts, City of Lowell, Clerk's Office; Births Vol 1862; Pg. 172; #675. (2) Massachusetts, City of Lowell, Clerk's Office; Deaths 1942; #1054. (3) Massachusetts, City of Lowell, Clerk's Office; Marriages 1889; #206.
Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915; Event Date: 26 June 1861; Event Place: Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Name: John Roane; Father's Name: John Roane; Mother's Name: Mary; Record Number: 162; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FH3V-F4W
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