San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1176-1179
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 2/4/2010
RICHARD JAMES HEENEY
A native son and lifelong resident of San Joaquin Co. is Richard James Heeney, prosperous and enterprising agriculturist on Upper Roberts Island, where he owns 140 acres. His undertakings have been successful, and he is esteemed for his cooperation with all movements for the good and advancement of his community. He was born at Stockton at the Heeney home at Market and American streets, March 21, 1874, a son of Richard and Julia (Nolan) Heeney, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in County Louth, Ireland, December 26, 1828, and remained in his native land until he was twenty-one years old, when he left for America, arriving in Boston, Mass. in 1849. The news of the discovery of gold in California had already reached the Atlantic shores and he lost no time in starting for the West via Panama, and after arriving in San Francisco he proceeded to Stockton and engaged in freighting to the mines. He was a man of the strictest temperance, using neither liquor nor tobacco, and a man of noble characteristics. He erected the Russ House on Weber and Center streets and conducted the same with his partner, George Lockhead. The mother came from Ireland in 1865 and they were the parents of seven children, of whom Richard J. is the only survivor; Mary Ella, Lulu Annie, William Francis, John Albert, W. Henry, and George E. Patrick all being deceased. The mother passed away February 25, 1893, the father surviving until June 24, 1894. Rick Heeney, as he is familiarly called by his many friends, was next to the youngest of their children. His childhood was spent in Stockton and he was educated in the public schools. He then entered Stockton Business College, being graduated in 1893, after which he took up farming. In December, 1893, in partnership with his brother William Francis, Mr. Heeney located on his present ranch on Roberts Island, which they farmed together till 1900, when his brother passed away. Mr. Heeney has continued alone and has met with fine success. Aside from his ranching enterprise Mr. Heeney is also the owner of desirable business property in Stockton on the site of the old home place where he was born, near what is now the Record building.
Mr. Heeney's marriage occurred in Stockton November 19, 1902, which united him with Miss Birdena R. Rolerson who was born on Roberts Island and is the daughter of Benjamin F. and Faustina M. (Tober) Rolerson, natives of Waldo, Maine. Mr. Rolerson volunteered his services to the cause of the Civil War and enlisted November 27, 1861, under Capt. Ira B. Gardner in Company I, 14th Maine Volunteer Infantry, serving until January 13, 1865, when he was mustered out and honorably discharged. He returned to his old home, and in time married Miss Tober. Mr. Rolerson came to California in 1876 and was joined by his wife in 1879. He located first at Farmington in ranching until 1880, when he purchased land on Roberts Island, and helped to reclaim the lands and improved his ranch of 355 acres until it was one of the finest in the Delta country. He sold the ranch in 1909 and was preparing to make their residence in Stockton when he died in that city August 2, 1909, aged sixty-six years. His widow survives him, residing in Stockton, aged seventy-eight years. Mr. Rolerson was a prominent man and took an active part in public matters. He was school trustee, levee trustee, and deputy county assessor.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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