.Friend of Lincoln Dies - Was Prominent in the Pioneer History of the City - Died, at 8:30 o'clock, Saturday night, March 30, 1901, at his residence, 612 West Lawrence avenue, John E. Roll, aged 86 years, 9 months and 21 days. In the death of Mr. Roll, Sangamon county loses one of its oldest settlers and one of the surviving few who were close friends of Abraham Lincoln. He was a good citizen and one who always took a pride in matters pertaining to the improvement of Springfield. Mr. Roll had been ill seven weeks and his death was not unexpected. The principal causes of his demise were the infirmities of old age.
Mr. Roll was born in Green Village, New Jersey, Jan. 9, 1814. He received a limited education in the village school. In May, 1830, his parents moved to Illinois coming by wagon to Pittsburg, Penn., and thence by steamboat to St. Louis. From St. Louis he walked to Springfield, reachng this city early in June. His father bought a farm a few miles northwst of Springfield and here young Roll worked for some time at ordinary farm work.
In the spring of 1831, after the winter of the deep snow, he worked with Abraham Lincoln in Sangamon town and assisted him in building the historical Lincoln flat boat. He and Lincoln became great friends and their friendship lasted until the death of the president. Mr. Roll worked for Rev. John G. Bergen, who was for many years pastor of the First Presbyterian church, to which church Mr. Roll belonged, although he afterward became a member of the Third Presbyterian church.
Mr. Roll learned the plastering trade with John F. Ragan who was the architect and superintendent of the old state house. After completing his trade he engaged in business for himself. One of his first contracts was for plastering the American house, afterwards one of the old landmarks of the city, which stood where the John Bressmer store is now located. This was the beginning of a long, laborious and successful career as a contractor and builder. He erected and owned many dwelling houses and business houses. After the close of Mr. Roll's business career he invested in several boot and shoe stores, but the venture proved unsuccessful and he lost a large amount of money which caused him to go into bankruptcy.
Mr. Roll was twice married. His first wife was Harriet Van Dyke, whom he married in 1838. She was an invalid for many years and died in 1880. Four years later Mr. Roll married Mrs. Sarah Case, who died in 1900. He is survived by two sons, Frank P. Roll of Dakota and John L. Roll of this city. IL State Journal, Springfield, IL 3-31-1901
Mr. Roll was born in Green Village, New Jersey, Jan. 9, 1814. He received a limited education in the village school. In May, 1830, his parents moved to Illinois coming by wagon to Pittsburg, Penn., and thence by steamboat to St. Louis. From St. Louis he walked to Springfield, reachng this city early in June. His father bought a farm a few miles northwst of Springfield and here young Roll worked for some time at ordinary farm work.
In the spring of 1831, after the winter of the deep snow, he worked with Abraham Lincoln in Sangamon town and assisted him in building the historical Lincoln flat boat. He and Lincoln became great friends and their friendship lasted until the death of the president. Mr. Roll worked for Rev. John G. Bergen, who was for many years pastor of the First Presbyterian church, to which church Mr. Roll belonged, although he afterward became a member of the Third Presbyterian church.
Mr. Roll learned the plastering trade with John F. Ragan who was the architect and superintendent of the old state house. After completing his trade he engaged in business for himself. One of his first contracts was for plastering the American house, afterwards one of the old landmarks of the city, which stood where the John Bressmer store is now located. This was the beginning of a long, laborious and successful career as a contractor and builder. He erected and owned many dwelling houses and business houses. After the close of Mr. Roll's business career he invested in several boot and shoe stores, but the venture proved unsuccessful and he lost a large amount of money which caused him to go into bankruptcy.
Mr. Roll was twice married. His first wife was Harriet Van Dyke, whom he married in 1838. She was an invalid for many years and died in 1880. Four years later Mr. Roll married Mrs. Sarah Case, who died in 1900. He is survived by two sons, Frank P. Roll of Dakota and John L. Roll of this city. IL State Journal, Springfield, IL 3-31-1901
.Friend of Lincoln Dies - Was Prominent in the Pioneer History of the City - Died, at 8:30 o'clock, Saturday night, March 30, 1901, at his residence, 612 West Lawrence avenue, John E. Roll, aged 86 years, 9 months and 21 days. In the death of Mr. Roll, Sangamon county loses one of its oldest settlers and one of the surviving few who were close friends of Abraham Lincoln. He was a good citizen and one who always took a pride in matters pertaining to the improvement of Springfield. Mr. Roll had been ill seven weeks and his death was not unexpected. The principal causes of his demise were the infirmities of old age.
Mr. Roll was born in Green Village, New Jersey, Jan. 9, 1814. He received a limited education in the village school. In May, 1830, his parents moved to Illinois coming by wagon to Pittsburg, Penn., and thence by steamboat to St. Louis. From St. Louis he walked to Springfield, reachng this city early in June. His father bought a farm a few miles northwst of Springfield and here young Roll worked for some time at ordinary farm work.
In the spring of 1831, after the winter of the deep snow, he worked with Abraham Lincoln in Sangamon town and assisted him in building the historical Lincoln flat boat. He and Lincoln became great friends and their friendship lasted until the death of the president. Mr. Roll worked for Rev. John G. Bergen, who was for many years pastor of the First Presbyterian church, to which church Mr. Roll belonged, although he afterward became a member of the Third Presbyterian church.
Mr. Roll learned the plastering trade with John F. Ragan who was the architect and superintendent of the old state house. After completing his trade he engaged in business for himself. One of his first contracts was for plastering the American house, afterwards one of the old landmarks of the city, which stood where the John Bressmer store is now located. This was the beginning of a long, laborious and successful career as a contractor and builder. He erected and owned many dwelling houses and business houses. After the close of Mr. Roll's business career he invested in several boot and shoe stores, but the venture proved unsuccessful and he lost a large amount of money which caused him to go into bankruptcy.
Mr. Roll was twice married. His first wife was Harriet Van Dyke, whom he married in 1838. She was an invalid for many years and died in 1880. Four years later Mr. Roll married Mrs. Sarah Case, who died in 1900. He is survived by two sons, Frank P. Roll of Dakota and John L. Roll of this city. IL State Journal, Springfield, IL 3-31-1901
Mr. Roll was born in Green Village, New Jersey, Jan. 9, 1814. He received a limited education in the village school. In May, 1830, his parents moved to Illinois coming by wagon to Pittsburg, Penn., and thence by steamboat to St. Louis. From St. Louis he walked to Springfield, reachng this city early in June. His father bought a farm a few miles northwst of Springfield and here young Roll worked for some time at ordinary farm work.
In the spring of 1831, after the winter of the deep snow, he worked with Abraham Lincoln in Sangamon town and assisted him in building the historical Lincoln flat boat. He and Lincoln became great friends and their friendship lasted until the death of the president. Mr. Roll worked for Rev. John G. Bergen, who was for many years pastor of the First Presbyterian church, to which church Mr. Roll belonged, although he afterward became a member of the Third Presbyterian church.
Mr. Roll learned the plastering trade with John F. Ragan who was the architect and superintendent of the old state house. After completing his trade he engaged in business for himself. One of his first contracts was for plastering the American house, afterwards one of the old landmarks of the city, which stood where the John Bressmer store is now located. This was the beginning of a long, laborious and successful career as a contractor and builder. He erected and owned many dwelling houses and business houses. After the close of Mr. Roll's business career he invested in several boot and shoe stores, but the venture proved unsuccessful and he lost a large amount of money which caused him to go into bankruptcy.
Mr. Roll was twice married. His first wife was Harriet Van Dyke, whom he married in 1838. She was an invalid for many years and died in 1880. Four years later Mr. Roll married Mrs. Sarah Case, who died in 1900. He is survived by two sons, Frank P. Roll of Dakota and John L. Roll of this city. IL State Journal, Springfield, IL 3-31-1901
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Heafstone lists death as 3/31. Obituary states he died 3/30?
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