Bio: Roach, John (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Roach, O’Neal, Lawler

----Source: History of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin (1914) pages 845-846

John Roach, who is one of the energetic and well-to-do farmers of Union township, was born in Ireland, and is one of a family of ten children born to Joseph and Mary (O'Neal) Roach, both natives of Ireland, where they were married. Of the others Nicholas, Joanna, Annie and Thomas were born in Ireland, while Mary, Ellen, Margaret, James and Joseph were born in Eau Claire, to which place the parents emigrated in 1856. Soon after arriving here the father purchased the farm on which John, our subject, now resides, and they were classed among the thrifty, enterprising and well-to-do farmers of the county. After a residence in the town of Union of twenty-nine years the father died, November 29, 1885, and the mother passed away in 1865.

John Roach, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools of Ireland, and in 1865 came to Eau Claire. Since the death of his father he has carried on the home farm, which now consists of 80 acres of highly cultivated land, improved with modern buildings and equipment. He is engaged in general truck farming, and makes a specialty of raising high-grade Poland-China hogs.

Mr. Roach married Miss Frances A. Lawler, of Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, and they have an interesting family of five children: Mary, Catherine, Walter, Annie and Lauretta, all of whom were born in the town of Union, and all are members of St. Patrick's church of Eau Claire.