Rolandus Denny was born on December 9, 1848 in Brooke, Virginia. He was the son of Walter and Mary (Young) Denny. Walter and Mary had seven children; Jane Elizabeth (1843), Oella (1845), Rolandus (1848), Francis (1850), Mary Agnes (1852), Clara Virginia (1855), Walter (1859).

In the 1850 Federal Census, Rolandus is found in Brooke, Virginia with his parents Walter and Mary. He is three years old. By the 1860 Census, Walter and Mary and their children have moved to Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana. Walter is a farmer. Rolandus is 12 years old and attending school. In the 1870 Census, Rolandis is 23 years old. The Census does not list an occupation but he is still living with his parents.

Rolandus Denny married Elizabeth Jane Bell on October 17, 1871 in Indiana. They settled in Union Township, Wells County, Indiana where they had nine children; Elva (1872) , Francis (1874), Nellie (1876), Arlena (1878), Bessie (1880), Jesse (1883), Lucy (1887), Celia (1889), Milo (1892).

In the 1880 Federal Census, Rolandus is a farmer living in Union Township in Wells County, Indiana. He and wife, Elizabeth, have four children; Elva, Francis, Nellie and Arlena. The next available Census is the 1900 Federal Census and Rolandus is living in Lafayette Township, Allen County, Indiana. He is a fifty one year old farmer. He and Elizabeth have four of their children who are still living at home all of whom are under the age of 21 years old.

In the 1910 Federal Census, Rolandus Denny is found in Lafayette Township on the farm. He is sixty one years old. He and Elizabeth have two minor children who still live at home, Celia and Milo.

One hundred and one years ago, Rolandus Denney died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis on Christmas Day, 1917. He was buried in Hoverstock Cemetery in Zanesville, Indiana.

Rest in Peace, Rolandus.

Love, Jan

Rolandus is my second Great Grand Uncle.