For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 780
WILLIAM M. ROACH....William M. Roach, for thirty-five years a prominent business man of Muscatine and now deceased, left in the hearts of those who knew him memories of many beautiful acts which they shall never forget. Modest, gentle and kind, he was the possessor of a noble character and throughout his life was actuated by high motives and worthy ambitions. He was born in Brookville, Canada, on the St. Lawrence river, January 1, 1821, and when quite young was left an orphan, his parents dying of cholera. This was a severe blow but he had a brave heart and never yielded to discouragement. He grew to manhood in Canada and there received his education. After arriving at maturity he came to the conclusion that the United States presented advantages for a young man seeking his fortune not to be found elsewhere in the world. Accordingly he took up his residence for a time in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later moving to Portsmouth, that state, where he was married in 1859, being then thirty-eight years of age. He came west to Muscatine in 1862 and here he and his father-in-law were identified with the boot and shoe business for nineteen years. As a side issue they also dealt in tallow, hides and furs. After Mr. Roach and his father-in-law dissolved partnership the former continued very successfully in the hide, tallow and fur business. He passed away July 13, 1898, at the age of seventy-seven years and six months. He was in almost perfect health all his life until a few days before his death. The unversal expression of regret in the city upon the announcement of his death gave evidence of the great esteem in which he was held by all who knew him.On the 25th of August, 1859, at Portsmouth, Ohio, Mr. Roach was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Davidson, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth ( Meek ) Davidson, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in Virginia. The mother died in Ohio in 1840 and the father came to Muscatine in 1862 and spent the remainder of his life in this city, dying in April 1908, at the venerable age of ninety-five years and six months. He was one of the early shoe merchants of the city and later ran a ferry boat on the Mississippi river. He was three times married, his first union being with Elizabeth Meek, who was the mother of four children, Sarah M., John Meek, Greenburg Ridgeley, and Leroy P. Mrs. Roach was born in Winchester, Adams county, Ohio, November 13, 1835. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, two sons and five daughters, Elizabeth is a widow of Henry Schafnit, and is living with her brother, William L. William L. is a member of the firm of Roach, Musser & Company, sash and door works, of Muscatine. He married Miss Margaret Elizabeth McCarthy, who died in February, 1909, leaving three sons, John William, Edward Andrew and Robert. Lillian lives at home. Ada Married Robert King, of Kansas City, where they now live. Ellen D. became the wife of A. L. Porter and they live in Spokane, Washington. Grace is living at home. One son, Arthur, died in infancy.
Mr. Roach was a member of the Methodist church, as is also Mrs. Roach, who is now living in Muscatine. He was devoted to his family and was never happier than when at his home surrounded by those he most loved. He was a patriotic citizen and in business exercised a rare ability which leads to success in all laudable undertakings. He was greatly esteemed by his friends and business associates, as he was at all times sincere and true, and his word once spoken was inviolate. It is therefore fitting, in view of his beautiful character, that his memory should be cherished by all who knew him.
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