Member of Tennessee Senate, 11th General Assembly, 1815-17; representing Hawkins and Sullivan counties. Born on March 5, 1790, probably in Hawkins County, (as his father was living there, in Stanley Valley as early as 1780); son of Michael and Tempa (Cross) Looney. In War of 1812: enlisted as a private in the East Tennessee Volunteer Riflemen under Colonel Lillard and Captain Argenbright, in October of 1813. He was married c. 1819 to Sallie Starnes, daughter of John and Jane (Adams) Starnes; children–Louisa Morgan (Mrs. William Hutchinson), William Carroll, James Gaines, Mary Ann (Mrs. Joseph T. Campbell), Rufus Gollaher, John Blair, Margaret Catherine (Mrs. Joel F. Gillenwater), Absolom Starnes, Joseph Israel, Sarah Hane (Mrs. Pryon Lee Pearson), Orville Bradley, and Susan Shanks Looney (Mrs. Abraham Molsbee). Died in Hawkins County on December 12, 1862; buried at Hickory Cove, Hawkins County.

Sources: Information from Mrs. Marvin J. Huff, Evansville, Indiana, Looney family historian.

From Biographical Directory: Tennessee General Assembly, 1796-1967, Issue 3