“A. B. Roach...one of the pioneer residents of the Upper Peninsula, with whose progress he has been most intimately identified from the early days when its industries were practically summed up in the fishing enterprises carried on by its little bands of brave and sturdy men. He has attained to a marked success in temporal affairs and has gained to himself the respect and confidence of those among whom his active and useful life has been passed.
Mr. Roach stands as one of the most honored business men of the thriving and thoroughly modern little city of Sault Sainte Marie, of which place he has been a resident since September 22, 1863, coming hither from Jefferson county, New York, in company with the Hursleys…His most conspicuous business association at the present time is as a member of the firm of F. W. Roach & Company, of this city.
[Ashbell B. Roach] was born in Genesee county, New York, in the vicinity of Rochester, but grew to manhood in the county from which he emigrated on coming to Michigan. He began a seafaring life at the early age of thirteen, and up to the time of his departure for his new Western home he had traversed the chain of Great Lakes quite thoroughly. The company of settlers before alluded to brought with them boats, nets and all other equipments essential to fishing, in which line of enterprise they engaged immediately upon their arrival in northern Michigan, [A. B.] setting the first pound-net ever put into Superior waters. He was successful as to catches and markets and made money quite rapidly. He also realized very satisfactory returns from the handling of furs, in which line he made quite extensive purchases from the Indians during the winter of 1867-8. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Roach made a decided change in his field of business endeavor. At this time the Government broke ground for the new canal, in the construction of which he secured employment as foreman of a gang of men, under Barker & Williams. He remained on this work until July, 1873, when he received the appointment as Inspector of Customs for the Superior district, under Collector Lester McNight, which incumbency he retained for two years under this collector, after which he was reappointed to the position by Mr. McNight’s successor and held the preferment until Grover Cleveland was installed as presidential chair, when he was relieved by his Democratic successor. His entire service in this capacity covered a period of thirteen years. For the next two years he was engaged in farming and dairying, and in the spring of 1887 he disposed of much of the property which he had been accumulating all these years, and the proceeds of these various sales he utilized in part for the improving of the property which he had retained and in centralizing his finances for other safe investments, and in part for increasing his bank account.
In 1887 [A. B.] erected the fine two-story brick block occupied by F. W. Roach & Company, the dimensions of the same being 65 x 22 feet. In these commodious and eligibly located quarters the firm mentioned carry a comprehensive and well selected stock of gentlemen’s furnishing goods and boots and shoes. Mr. Roach also has a mercantile establishment at the corner of Ashmun and Spruce streets, and between the two stores and on his little sailing yacht, Gladys, his time is divided during the course of the entire year.
Ashbell B. Roach was born on the 12th day of February, 1838, being the son of Richard Roach, who was a native of Ireland, which country he left when fourteen years of age. The latter, with a younger brother, was in his youthful days apprenticed on board his uncle’s East India trading ship, and on their first trip around Cape Horn the brothers were washed overboard. This experience so worked upon young Richard that when he finally returned to England he ran away from his home and the merchant ship, and made his way to the United States. He found employment on a farm in the State of New York, and in that State gradually made his way to a position of success and honor. During the remainder of his life he never heard a word from Ireland regarding his people. He married Diantha Beach, born in Vermont in 1802, a daughter of Major Ratus Beach, three of whose sons came to Michigan in 1828, and settled in Saint Clair county. Major Beach was a soldier in the war of 1812. [A. B.] was the sixth in the order of birth of eight children, and of this number six are yet living, namely: Leonard, a farmer in Barry county, Michigan; A. B.; Orsnus, also a resident of Barry county; and Martha Ann, wife of Jacob Dingman, and residing in the Antelope valley, California. The father of these children died in 1885, at the age of seventy-two years, and their mother died about the year 1867, her death being caused by being accidentally thrown from a wagon.
June 4, 1856, Jefferson county, New York, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Roach to Miss Fannie E. Taylor, who had come to this country from England the year before to live which her uncle, Andrew Taylor, who is a wealthy farmer of that county. To her sterling worth Mr. Roach attributes his prosperity in life. Of their eight children the following five are living: Frederick W., who is an enterprising young business man of Sault Sainte Marie, being associated with his father in the mercantile firm of F. W. Roach & Company; Lillie, the wife of F. L. Higgins, of this city; and Frank H., who is County Treasurer of this county; Louise L. and Floyd H., at home.
Mr. Roach retains a fraternal relationship with the Masonic order, having passed the chapter degrees, and in his religious adherency he is a member and communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified for many years...” – Excerpt from “Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan,” published by The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, 1895.
Known children:
*Frederick W Roach (b. 1862, NY)
*Mariette Roach (b. MI, abt 1866; d. 1870)
*Lillian Roach aka Lillie E. Roach (b. MI, abt 1869; m. Frank L. Higgins (b. Syracuse, NY) 6 Jul 1886, Sault St. Marie, Chippewa, MI)
*Louise Roach Falter (m. Philip Henry Falter, 4 Feb 1900, Detroit, MI); moved to Johnston, PA, to NY and then Fl
*Frank H. Roach (b. abt 1870, MI; m. Lizzie M. McDonald)
*Floyd H. Roach
*Fanny Roach (b. 15 March 1878, Sault Ste. Marie, MI - mother identified as Mary A. Roach)
*Hattie Roach (b. MI, abt 1880)
Mr. Roach stands as one of the most honored business men of the thriving and thoroughly modern little city of Sault Sainte Marie, of which place he has been a resident since September 22, 1863, coming hither from Jefferson county, New York, in company with the Hursleys…His most conspicuous business association at the present time is as a member of the firm of F. W. Roach & Company, of this city.
[Ashbell B. Roach] was born in Genesee county, New York, in the vicinity of Rochester, but grew to manhood in the county from which he emigrated on coming to Michigan. He began a seafaring life at the early age of thirteen, and up to the time of his departure for his new Western home he had traversed the chain of Great Lakes quite thoroughly. The company of settlers before alluded to brought with them boats, nets and all other equipments essential to fishing, in which line of enterprise they engaged immediately upon their arrival in northern Michigan, [A. B.] setting the first pound-net ever put into Superior waters. He was successful as to catches and markets and made money quite rapidly. He also realized very satisfactory returns from the handling of furs, in which line he made quite extensive purchases from the Indians during the winter of 1867-8. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Roach made a decided change in his field of business endeavor. At this time the Government broke ground for the new canal, in the construction of which he secured employment as foreman of a gang of men, under Barker & Williams. He remained on this work until July, 1873, when he received the appointment as Inspector of Customs for the Superior district, under Collector Lester McNight, which incumbency he retained for two years under this collector, after which he was reappointed to the position by Mr. McNight’s successor and held the preferment until Grover Cleveland was installed as presidential chair, when he was relieved by his Democratic successor. His entire service in this capacity covered a period of thirteen years. For the next two years he was engaged in farming and dairying, and in the spring of 1887 he disposed of much of the property which he had been accumulating all these years, and the proceeds of these various sales he utilized in part for the improving of the property which he had retained and in centralizing his finances for other safe investments, and in part for increasing his bank account.
In 1887 [A. B.] erected the fine two-story brick block occupied by F. W. Roach & Company, the dimensions of the same being 65 x 22 feet. In these commodious and eligibly located quarters the firm mentioned carry a comprehensive and well selected stock of gentlemen’s furnishing goods and boots and shoes. Mr. Roach also has a mercantile establishment at the corner of Ashmun and Spruce streets, and between the two stores and on his little sailing yacht, Gladys, his time is divided during the course of the entire year.
Ashbell B. Roach was born on the 12th day of February, 1838, being the son of Richard Roach, who was a native of Ireland, which country he left when fourteen years of age. The latter, with a younger brother, was in his youthful days apprenticed on board his uncle’s East India trading ship, and on their first trip around Cape Horn the brothers were washed overboard. This experience so worked upon young Richard that when he finally returned to England he ran away from his home and the merchant ship, and made his way to the United States. He found employment on a farm in the State of New York, and in that State gradually made his way to a position of success and honor. During the remainder of his life he never heard a word from Ireland regarding his people. He married Diantha Beach, born in Vermont in 1802, a daughter of Major Ratus Beach, three of whose sons came to Michigan in 1828, and settled in Saint Clair county. Major Beach was a soldier in the war of 1812. [A. B.] was the sixth in the order of birth of eight children, and of this number six are yet living, namely: Leonard, a farmer in Barry county, Michigan; A. B.; Orsnus, also a resident of Barry county; and Martha Ann, wife of Jacob Dingman, and residing in the Antelope valley, California. The father of these children died in 1885, at the age of seventy-two years, and their mother died about the year 1867, her death being caused by being accidentally thrown from a wagon.
June 4, 1856, Jefferson county, New York, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Roach to Miss Fannie E. Taylor, who had come to this country from England the year before to live which her uncle, Andrew Taylor, who is a wealthy farmer of that county. To her sterling worth Mr. Roach attributes his prosperity in life. Of their eight children the following five are living: Frederick W., who is an enterprising young business man of Sault Sainte Marie, being associated with his father in the mercantile firm of F. W. Roach & Company; Lillie, the wife of F. L. Higgins, of this city; and Frank H., who is County Treasurer of this county; Louise L. and Floyd H., at home.
Mr. Roach retains a fraternal relationship with the Masonic order, having passed the chapter degrees, and in his religious adherency he is a member and communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified for many years...” – Excerpt from “Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan,” published by The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, 1895.
Known children:
*Frederick W Roach (b. 1862, NY)
*Mariette Roach (b. MI, abt 1866; d. 1870)
*Lillian Roach aka Lillie E. Roach (b. MI, abt 1869; m. Frank L. Higgins (b. Syracuse, NY) 6 Jul 1886, Sault St. Marie, Chippewa, MI)
*Louise Roach Falter (m. Philip Henry Falter, 4 Feb 1900, Detroit, MI); moved to Johnston, PA, to NY and then Fl
*Frank H. Roach (b. abt 1870, MI; m. Lizzie M. McDonald)
*Floyd H. Roach
*Fanny Roach (b. 15 March 1878, Sault Ste. Marie, MI - mother identified as Mary A. Roach)
*Hattie Roach (b. MI, abt 1880)
“A. B. Roach...one of the pioneer residents of the Upper Peninsula, with whose progress he has been most intimately identified from the early days when its industries were practically summed up in the fishing enterprises carried on by its little bands of brave and sturdy men. He has attained to a marked success in temporal affairs and has gained to himself the respect and confidence of those among whom his active and useful life has been passed.
Mr. Roach stands as one of the most honored business men of the thriving and thoroughly modern little city of Sault Sainte Marie, of which place he has been a resident since September 22, 1863, coming hither from Jefferson county, New York, in company with the Hursleys…His most conspicuous business association at the present time is as a member of the firm of F. W. Roach & Company, of this city.
[Ashbell B. Roach] was born in Genesee county, New York, in the vicinity of Rochester, but grew to manhood in the county from which he emigrated on coming to Michigan. He began a seafaring life at the early age of thirteen, and up to the time of his departure for his new Western home he had traversed the chain of Great Lakes quite thoroughly. The company of settlers before alluded to brought with them boats, nets and all other equipments essential to fishing, in which line of enterprise they engaged immediately upon their arrival in northern Michigan, [A. B.] setting the first pound-net ever put into Superior waters. He was successful as to catches and markets and made money quite rapidly. He also realized very satisfactory returns from the handling of furs, in which line he made quite extensive purchases from the Indians during the winter of 1867-8. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Roach made a decided change in his field of business endeavor. At this time the Government broke ground for the new canal, in the construction of which he secured employment as foreman of a gang of men, under Barker & Williams. He remained on this work until July, 1873, when he received the appointment as Inspector of Customs for the Superior district, under Collector Lester McNight, which incumbency he retained for two years under this collector, after which he was reappointed to the position by Mr. McNight’s successor and held the preferment until Grover Cleveland was installed as presidential chair, when he was relieved by his Democratic successor. His entire service in this capacity covered a period of thirteen years. For the next two years he was engaged in farming and dairying, and in the spring of 1887 he disposed of much of the property which he had been accumulating all these years, and the proceeds of these various sales he utilized in part for the improving of the property which he had retained and in centralizing his finances for other safe investments, and in part for increasing his bank account.
In 1887 [A. B.] erected the fine two-story brick block occupied by F. W. Roach & Company, the dimensions of the same being 65 x 22 feet. In these commodious and eligibly located quarters the firm mentioned carry a comprehensive and well selected stock of gentlemen’s furnishing goods and boots and shoes. Mr. Roach also has a mercantile establishment at the corner of Ashmun and Spruce streets, and between the two stores and on his little sailing yacht, Gladys, his time is divided during the course of the entire year.
Ashbell B. Roach was born on the 12th day of February, 1838, being the son of Richard Roach, who was a native of Ireland, which country he left when fourteen years of age. The latter, with a younger brother, was in his youthful days apprenticed on board his uncle’s East India trading ship, and on their first trip around Cape Horn the brothers were washed overboard. This experience so worked upon young Richard that when he finally returned to England he ran away from his home and the merchant ship, and made his way to the United States. He found employment on a farm in the State of New York, and in that State gradually made his way to a position of success and honor. During the remainder of his life he never heard a word from Ireland regarding his people. He married Diantha Beach, born in Vermont in 1802, a daughter of Major Ratus Beach, three of whose sons came to Michigan in 1828, and settled in Saint Clair county. Major Beach was a soldier in the war of 1812. [A. B.] was the sixth in the order of birth of eight children, and of this number six are yet living, namely: Leonard, a farmer in Barry county, Michigan; A. B.; Orsnus, also a resident of Barry county; and Martha Ann, wife of Jacob Dingman, and residing in the Antelope valley, California. The father of these children died in 1885, at the age of seventy-two years, and their mother died about the year 1867, her death being caused by being accidentally thrown from a wagon.
June 4, 1856, Jefferson county, New York, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Roach to Miss Fannie E. Taylor, who had come to this country from England the year before to live which her uncle, Andrew Taylor, who is a wealthy farmer of that county. To her sterling worth Mr. Roach attributes his prosperity in life. Of their eight children the following five are living: Frederick W., who is an enterprising young business man of Sault Sainte Marie, being associated with his father in the mercantile firm of F. W. Roach & Company; Lillie, the wife of F. L. Higgins, of this city; and Frank H., who is County Treasurer of this county; Louise L. and Floyd H., at home.
Mr. Roach retains a fraternal relationship with the Masonic order, having passed the chapter degrees, and in his religious adherency he is a member and communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified for many years...” – Excerpt from “Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan,” published by The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, 1895.
Known children:
*Frederick W Roach (b. 1862, NY)
*Mariette Roach (b. MI, abt 1866; d. 1870)
*Lillian Roach aka Lillie E. Roach (b. MI, abt 1869; m. Frank L. Higgins (b. Syracuse, NY) 6 Jul 1886, Sault St. Marie, Chippewa, MI)
*Louise Roach Falter (m. Philip Henry Falter, 4 Feb 1900, Detroit, MI); moved to Johnston, PA, to NY and then Fl
*Frank H. Roach (b. abt 1870, MI; m. Lizzie M. McDonald)
*Floyd H. Roach
*Fanny Roach (b. 15 March 1878, Sault Ste. Marie, MI - mother identified as Mary A. Roach)
*Hattie Roach (b. MI, abt 1880)
Mr. Roach stands as one of the most honored business men of the thriving and thoroughly modern little city of Sault Sainte Marie, of which place he has been a resident since September 22, 1863, coming hither from Jefferson county, New York, in company with the Hursleys…His most conspicuous business association at the present time is as a member of the firm of F. W. Roach & Company, of this city.
[Ashbell B. Roach] was born in Genesee county, New York, in the vicinity of Rochester, but grew to manhood in the county from which he emigrated on coming to Michigan. He began a seafaring life at the early age of thirteen, and up to the time of his departure for his new Western home he had traversed the chain of Great Lakes quite thoroughly. The company of settlers before alluded to brought with them boats, nets and all other equipments essential to fishing, in which line of enterprise they engaged immediately upon their arrival in northern Michigan, [A. B.] setting the first pound-net ever put into Superior waters. He was successful as to catches and markets and made money quite rapidly. He also realized very satisfactory returns from the handling of furs, in which line he made quite extensive purchases from the Indians during the winter of 1867-8. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Roach made a decided change in his field of business endeavor. At this time the Government broke ground for the new canal, in the construction of which he secured employment as foreman of a gang of men, under Barker & Williams. He remained on this work until July, 1873, when he received the appointment as Inspector of Customs for the Superior district, under Collector Lester McNight, which incumbency he retained for two years under this collector, after which he was reappointed to the position by Mr. McNight’s successor and held the preferment until Grover Cleveland was installed as presidential chair, when he was relieved by his Democratic successor. His entire service in this capacity covered a period of thirteen years. For the next two years he was engaged in farming and dairying, and in the spring of 1887 he disposed of much of the property which he had been accumulating all these years, and the proceeds of these various sales he utilized in part for the improving of the property which he had retained and in centralizing his finances for other safe investments, and in part for increasing his bank account.
In 1887 [A. B.] erected the fine two-story brick block occupied by F. W. Roach & Company, the dimensions of the same being 65 x 22 feet. In these commodious and eligibly located quarters the firm mentioned carry a comprehensive and well selected stock of gentlemen’s furnishing goods and boots and shoes. Mr. Roach also has a mercantile establishment at the corner of Ashmun and Spruce streets, and between the two stores and on his little sailing yacht, Gladys, his time is divided during the course of the entire year.
Ashbell B. Roach was born on the 12th day of February, 1838, being the son of Richard Roach, who was a native of Ireland, which country he left when fourteen years of age. The latter, with a younger brother, was in his youthful days apprenticed on board his uncle’s East India trading ship, and on their first trip around Cape Horn the brothers were washed overboard. This experience so worked upon young Richard that when he finally returned to England he ran away from his home and the merchant ship, and made his way to the United States. He found employment on a farm in the State of New York, and in that State gradually made his way to a position of success and honor. During the remainder of his life he never heard a word from Ireland regarding his people. He married Diantha Beach, born in Vermont in 1802, a daughter of Major Ratus Beach, three of whose sons came to Michigan in 1828, and settled in Saint Clair county. Major Beach was a soldier in the war of 1812. [A. B.] was the sixth in the order of birth of eight children, and of this number six are yet living, namely: Leonard, a farmer in Barry county, Michigan; A. B.; Orsnus, also a resident of Barry county; and Martha Ann, wife of Jacob Dingman, and residing in the Antelope valley, California. The father of these children died in 1885, at the age of seventy-two years, and their mother died about the year 1867, her death being caused by being accidentally thrown from a wagon.
June 4, 1856, Jefferson county, New York, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Roach to Miss Fannie E. Taylor, who had come to this country from England the year before to live which her uncle, Andrew Taylor, who is a wealthy farmer of that county. To her sterling worth Mr. Roach attributes his prosperity in life. Of their eight children the following five are living: Frederick W., who is an enterprising young business man of Sault Sainte Marie, being associated with his father in the mercantile firm of F. W. Roach & Company; Lillie, the wife of F. L. Higgins, of this city; and Frank H., who is County Treasurer of this county; Louise L. and Floyd H., at home.
Mr. Roach retains a fraternal relationship with the Masonic order, having passed the chapter degrees, and in his religious adherency he is a member and communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church, with which he has been identified for many years...” – Excerpt from “Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan,” published by The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago, 1895.
Known children:
*Frederick W Roach (b. 1862, NY)
*Mariette Roach (b. MI, abt 1866; d. 1870)
*Lillian Roach aka Lillie E. Roach (b. MI, abt 1869; m. Frank L. Higgins (b. Syracuse, NY) 6 Jul 1886, Sault St. Marie, Chippewa, MI)
*Louise Roach Falter (m. Philip Henry Falter, 4 Feb 1900, Detroit, MI); moved to Johnston, PA, to NY and then Fl
*Frank H. Roach (b. abt 1870, MI; m. Lizzie M. McDonald)
*Floyd H. Roach
*Fanny Roach (b. 15 March 1878, Sault Ste. Marie, MI - mother identified as Mary A. Roach)
*Hattie Roach (b. MI, abt 1880)
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