1925 Biography - W Looney
Honorable W. A. Looney was a prominent physician of Vienna who was born in Henry County, Tennessee in 1831. His father W. E. was born in North Carolina and was a son of Samuel, who it is believed, was a native of Ireland, emigrating to this country from the Isle of Man. The parents of W. A. moved to Mississippi where his father died when he was two years old. His mother returned to Tennessee, later married David T. Whitnel and removed to Kentucky. She was a well educated woman and during her widowhood taught school and Dr. Looney received his first lesson from his mother. He came to Illinois, 1855, teaching school in Williamson County, to earn money to further his medical education. He graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, 1865, but began his career as a physician in Williamson County, 1857. In 1861 he raised the first company of soldiers from Williamson County, which became Company C. of the 31st Illinois. He was elected Captain of this company, and was severely wounded at the battle of Belmont, but he rejoined his company in time for the siege of Corinth, but was soon after discharged on account of disability. He came to Vienna 1862 and in 1864 was elected to the Legislature. He voted for War Governor Yates for United States Senator. Dr. Looney's practice in this county extended over a large territory and he gave many years of helpful service to his community. He married Rachel Caldwell of Kentucky, 1856 and had J. E. (2) a merchant of Tishomingo, Okla., who married Mollie Ausbrooks of this county, they have William (3), Grace (3) and Jessie (3). William and Jessie live with their families in Tishomingo and Grace married a Mr. Ide and resides in St. Paul, Minn. Dr. J. T. (2), a physician of Tishomingo married Fannie Jones of this county (see Simpson). Fannie E. (2) married J. E. Cunningham of Vienna, and has Charles E. (3), a business man of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Robert (3) a student of the Vienna High School. Dr. W. A. (1) married second Mariah (Oliver) Slack and third Fannie E. Whitehead, 1886, they had Esther (2) who married I. W. Dill and resides in Carbondale. Joseph W. (2) married Norma Veach and is a business man of Detroit, Mich. Harold (2) is in the real estate business at Carbondale and resides there with his mother. Dr. W. A. Looney was a member of the M. E. Church and a most helpful one. He was a mason and a member of the G. A. R. Post at Vienna. He died 1903.
Extracted 08 Feb 2017 by Norma Hass from 1925 A History of Johnson County, Illinois, by Mrs. P. T. Chapman, pages 401-402.
