Roach, John 1840 - 1917

ROACH, MCCARTHY, KELLEHER, MARKHAM, FINLEY, ORR

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/2/2021 at 19:38:40

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 19 July 1917.

John Roach was born at County Clare, Ireland, in 1840, and died at his home in this city Tuesday, July 10, at 6 o'clock a.m., surrounded by members of his family.

Mr. Roach's health had been failing for the past three years, but his death came as a shock to his many friends and relatives at home as well as at a distance as he had been able to walk up town but five days before. He had been a patient sufferer from gall-stones, but his ambition kept him up as he always made an effort to go out among his friends as soon as he was able after an attack of that disease.

He was the son of Michael and Hannah Roach, formerly of Boardman Township. He is survived by one brother, Michael, of Emmetsburg, Iowa, and one sister, Mrs. D. W. McCarthy of Spokane, Wash. Two brothers, P. J. and William, and one sister, Mrs. Hannah Kelleher preceded him in death.

He was united in marriage on Feb. 16, 1862, to Miss Hannah Markham, at St. Joseph's church, Elkader. To this happy union sixteen children were born, nine of whom died in infancy. The seven children, who, with their mother, still survive him are Sister Mary Stanislaus of Danbury, Iowa, Sister Mary Leo, of Mason City, John, of Omaha, Neb., Mrs. William Finley of Volga City, Mrs. Kate Orr, Will and Mike of Elkader.

He came to America with his parents in 1854, settling first in Virginia. In 1857 he came to Clayton county, living with his parents on a farm in Boardman township. After his marriage he moved onto a farm in Highland township, which was his home until moving to Elkader about twenty-two years ago.

Besides his wife and seven children, he is survived by twenty-nine grandchildren.

His funeral took place from his home to St. Joseph's church, Thursday, July 12th, at nine o'clock. Solemn Requiem High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Nivard assisted by Father Malloy, of Mason City, and Rev. Father Heatherington of Volga City. Rev. Father McNamara of Monona gave a very eloquent sermon in which he brought out the many good qualities of Mr. Roach. He laid special stress on the home life of this early settler, displaying the many ideals he instilled into his children and into their children.

The active pallbearers were Messrs. J. L. Schneider, F. J. Uriell, Frank Liddy, P. J. Cain, Thos. Boland and J. K. Molumby.

Six grandsons of the deceased acted as honorary pallbearers, namely, Francis Orr, Matt Finley, John, Joe, Leo and Clarence Roach.

Those from out of town in attendance at the funeral were: Sister M. Stanislaus, of Danbury; Sister M. Leo, of Mason City; John Roach, of Omaha; Mike Roach, Mrs. Celia Hand, of Emmetsburg; Miss Nellie Larkin of Dubuque; Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Friel and son, William Foley, Mrs. Catherine Waters, Misses Mae and Klo Kelleher, Chicago; Mrs. James Dunn, West Union; Mr. and Mrs. James Hannon of Volga, Marion Roach and Mary Finley, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

In the passing of Mr. Roach we feel that his wife has lost a loving husband, his children, a kind and loving father, and Elkader, a true and worthy citizen.