William LeRoy Roach 1862-1916

ROACH, MUSSER, HUTTIG, DAVIDSON, RICHEY, KEMPTON, SCHAFNIT, KING, CHAPLIN

Posted By: Lynn McCleary (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 20:55:34

Muscatine Journal Page 1 Monday Dec. 18, 1916

W. L. Roach Dies at Chicago Hotel After Brief Illness; City Mourns Sudden Death of Leading Citizen

Prominent Muscatine Citizen and Business Man Pneumonia Victim

Shock To Muscatine

Brief Illness Unknown to Any Save Family and Close Associates. Wife and Two sons at Bedside When Death Came.

Muscatine today sustained the loss of her foremost citizen in the death of William Leroy Roach, which occurred early today at Chicago.
The unexpected announcement of his death staggered the city when it reached Muscatine early this morning. While it was known to the friends and business associates of Mr. Roach was ill at Chicago the reports from his bedside were favorable. As late as last night members of the family were apprized that his condition was hopeful. A cold which he contracted before leaving Muscatine a week ago developed into pneumonia caused his demise.

Mr. Roach left this city on last Sunday evening for Chicago where he expected to spend several days. He was slightly indisposed but his condition did not become such as to cause any alarm until Thursday when a congestion of the inaga?? threatened pneumonia. He was given every medical attention but the development of the disease could not be defeated. In his apartment at the Blackstone Hotel a silent battle against death was fought. Late in the week Joseph Chaplin, of the Roach and Musser company, a close business associate as well as members of Mr. Roach’s family were summoned to his bedside.

At the time of his death, his wife and sons John f this city, and Robert, who lately returned from Live Oaks, Florida were at his bedside. Mr. Chaplin remained in Chicago also.
The exact time of his death was not given in the brief messages received here telling of his demise. It is believed, however, that death came shortly after nine o’clock.

City is Stunned.

The unexpected announcement of Mr. Roach’s death shocked the city. Although it was known to close friends and business associates yesterday that he was quite seriously ill in a larger part of his acquaintances here the news of his death had been unpreceded by information of his illness. The tidings of death bringing as they did a realization of the loss inflicted upon the community staggered the business interests of the city.

To hundreds who had been associated with him in local projects as well as to the many who knew him as a warm personal friend the announcement of his death brought a sense of keen personal bereavement.

Foremost Citizen

Because of his youthful aggressiveness, his active participation in local movements conceived to better the city of his birth and his achievements and his loyalty to the city. Mr. Roach has been looked upon as Muscatine’s foremost citizen. His passing leaves a void which will be unfilled. Although he was absent from the city a greater part of the time in later years because of his extensive business interests in divergent parts of the country, he was keenly interested in every project which was fostered in Muscatine. He contributed liberally to every cause which was worthy of his assistance and during his stays in the city acquainted himself with local affairs to the extent that he enjoyed an advisory position with relation in many projects which few were aware he was even interested in.

A Self Made Man.

Although he enjoyed the distinction of being one of the most prominent manufactures and lumberman in the middle west he arose to this position of eminence solely through energy, business acumen and indominitable will. He was a self made man in the fullest meaning of the word. His start in life was no more suspicious than that of scores of other youths with whom he spent his boyhood in Muscatine. He was born here on October 10, 1862, the son of William Martin and Sarah Mary (Davidson) Roach. His father was by trade a tanner who came to Muscatine in 1862 and engaged in the boot and shoe and wholesale leather business with his father-in-law, Andrew Davidson. Later the elder Mr. Roach became connected with the hide and fur business and so continued until his death which occurred in 1898.

Educated Here.

William L. Roach received his education in the public schools of this city. At an early age he displayed habits of industry. He utilized his spare time during his school years by performing such tasks as time and occasion offered. At the age of 18 years he entered upon a business career which was to carry him to a positon attained by but few men to whom Iowa has ever given birth.

His first position was a clerkship in the Davidson and Roach boot and shoe store. Here he learned bookkeeping for M. S. Richey, with whom he was associated for two years.

In June 1881, he left Muscatine going to What Cheer, Iowa, where he served as bookkeeper and clerk for the Muscatine Coal company. Two years later he removed to Kansas City where he displayed business abilities which established him in the milling industry. In January, 1883, he accepted a position with the Huttig Sash and Door company at Kansas City and after two years association with this concern entered upon business for himself, establishing the Roach and Wilkor Manufacturing company. This company engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and soon afterwards became prominently known as the Western Sash and Door company.
While at Kansas City Mr. Roach became interested also in the Huttig Sash and Door company of St. Louis, and was later made its vice president. In June, 1888, he disposed of his interest in thee above named concerns and organized the Roach and Riner Manufacturing company of Kansas City.

A year later he returned to Muscatine where he continuously resided since that time. Upon his return to Muscatine Mr. Roach assumed the active management of the Muscatine Sash and Door company. Under his direction the industry flourished in a marked degree, rapidly developing until it became the largest sash an door plant in the country.

In January, 1902, the firm name was changed to that of of Roach and Musser Sash and Door company, as it is known today.

Mr. Roach’s success in the local enterprise was so notable that at the time of his death he ranked as the most prominent figure in the millwork business in the Mississippi Valley.

Interest in Lumber,

Mr. Roach’s interest were not confined to millwork after 1901. In this year he with other business associates formed the Const. Cypress and Railway company, a corporation organized for the purpose of taking over and developing timberlands in the state of Florida. He was also prominent in the organization and operation of the Standard Lumber company, the German American Timber company, the Chipola Lumber company in Live Oak, Perry and Gulf Railway company, as well as the Carpenter, O’Brien company all of Florida.

He was also prominently identified with lumbering enterprises in the northwest, being president of the Cameron Lumber company, the Roach Timber company and the William Musser Lumber and Manufacturing company, doing business in the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Drawn From City.

These investments made it necessary for Mr. Roach to absent himself frequently from Muscatine. He was the moving spirit in all of the projects in which he was interested and retained an active management in all of them. Although interested in largely in a score of business corporations he remained in close touch with the affairs of each. It was this active participation in widely scattered business affairs that called for the utmost endurance on his part. Recognizing the responsibilities which were placed upon him by his heavy cares he was never remise in fulfilling an obligation. At a sacrifice of personal comfort he was forced to undergo the discomforts of travel on many occasions when his health was unfavorable, will power and a hardy constitution carrying him through many a trying period. Mr. Roach labored under a weight of business cares at all time but was never too occupied or engaged in his personal affairs that he failed to lend the full measure of co-operation to any project of benefit to his home city.

A Public Servant.

Although engrossed with business cares Mr. Roach was able to contribute not a small part of his time to public service. He was a member of the Muscatine city council which in the year 1893 inaugurated brick paving in the city. His most valued service were extended in the capacity of chairman of the Muscatine board of waterworks trustees. After Muscatine voted to take over the local waterworks as a municipal project he was appointed as chairman of the board of trustees by Judge Brannan in 1891. He at once assumed the management of this institution in the same wholehearted manner which characterized his private business undertakings. Associated with able fellow trustees he outlined plans for the development of the local institutions the consummation of which has made it possible for this city to boast of the finest waterworks system in the state of Iowa. He applied to his public task the same sound business principles which made for his success in commercialism. He was sponsor for a plan of business conduct on the part of the board of waterworks trustees which alone made it possible for Muscatine to claim an unclouded ownership to the splendid supply system in operation here. Today the Muscatine works is free of debt. The city is only entering upon the fullest enjoyment of the institution to which Mr. Roach dedicated so large a measure of his valued time and able thought. He had the courage to face the complaint of those who today are bereft of the opportunity of expressing the appreciation which they feel for the gift of an unburdened public service.

Prominent in Politics.

For years Mr. Roach has been one of the most prominent members of the republican party in Iowa. He was chairman at one or more republican state convention and also enjoyed the honor of representing this district at several national conventions. He occupied a prominent position in the republican national convention at Philadelphia which nominated McKinley and Roosevelt. He also held an appointment to the governor’s staff in Iowa for several years.

Another office which he held in Muscatine for several terms was that of postmaster.

His Private Live.

Mr. Roach was united in marriage on February 21, 1887, to Miss Margaret E. McCarthy of Kansas City. To this union were born four children of whom three survive, they being, John of this city, Edward, at present senior first lieutenant of Battery C of the First Iowa Field Artillery now returning from the border, and Robert, who has lately been located at Live Oak, Florida, where his father has large interests. James died at the age of seven months.

Mrs. Roach passed away in this city in February, 1909. Five years later Mr. Roach was united in marriage with Mrs. Anna Kempton.
His venerable mother, Mrs. Sarah Roach, as well as four sisters survive.

The two sisters are Mrs. Elizabeth Schafnit, Misses Lillian and Grace Roach, all of this city, and Mrs. R.E. King of Kansas City. Three step children, Willitt, Judson and Elizabeth Kempton also mourn him.

The home life of Mr. Roach was exemplary. He found the greatest joy in being with those he loved and was ever planning that he might spend with them as large a measure of his time as his business cares would permit.

Mr. Roach was a member of local lodges including the Masonic order in which he held the 32nd degree.

A Friend to All.

The death of Mr. Roach will bring a sense of loss to hundreds of Muscatine people. He was a loyal and staunch friend of all who enjoyed his association. He was as democratic as to he was loyal. He was over willing to counsel and advise those who came to him for assistance and his interest was kindly as it was helpful.

Close intimate friends of Mr. Roach declared today that his death was the most severe blow which has befell this city in years. That he had been looking forward to the day when his interest would permit him to dedicate the same measure of attention and interest to community affairs as he had devoted to his business affairs was the statement of several of those whom Mr. Roach had confided his hopes for the future.

Close Factory.

The Roach and Musser Sash and Door plant was closed down this noon out of respect for Mr. Roach for an indefinite time. Upon return of Mr. Chaplin, the general manager of the institution, plans for the resumption of activities there will be outlined.

Efforts are being made today to secure an immediate furlough for Lieutenant Edward Roach in order that he may reach this city tomorrow, petitions having been sent to General Harry at Chicago in charge of the movement and mustering out of the Iowa guardsmen enroute from the border.

The remains will arrive in this city on No. 11 tonight. No arrangement have as yet been made for the funeral service.