Emmett F. Roche Page 518 - Emmett F. Roche has built a prosperous wholesale and retail business in the handling of automobile accessories and radio supplies and in addition to the direct sales made at his three stores in Grand Rapids, he has developed a substantial mail order business that extends into various states of the Union. He maintains his general office headquarters in his store No. 3, at 212 Michigan avenue. Mr. Roche was born in Grand Rapids, May 25, 1893, and is a son of John B. and Ida (Wohlgemuth) Roche, who still maintain their residence in this city where the father is president of the Roche Electric Machine Company, manufacturers of the Roche electric-hygienic machines and other electrical devices and supplies. The public schools of Grand Rapids continued to enlist a due proportion of the time and application of Emmett F. Roche until he had profited by the curriculum of the high school, and his entire business career has been one of close association with the line of enterprise of which he is now a prominent exponent. He opened his first store for the handling of automobile accessories in the year 1915, and when the nation entered the World war he sold his business to give his attention to service directly contributory to the war activities, he having become assistant manager of the American Steel & Tool Company, the largest Hastings plant of which was given over exclusively to manufacturing supplies required by the government. In August, 1919, Mr. Roche re-engaged in business in an independent way, and with the rapid increase of the scope of the enterprise he eventually found it expedient to open two stores in addition to that in which he initiated his operations as a wholesale and retail dealer in automobile accessories. The business has been expanded also to include effective service in connection with the popular radio industry. Mr. Roche continues to maintain lively interest in athletic affairs and wholesome outdoor sports, in which connection it may be noted that for several years he played on the baseball and football teams of Grand Rapids. He is a communicant of the Catholic church, and he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On June 19, 1915, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Roche to Miss Fay Stuart, daughter of William Stuart, who was an honored pioneer citizen of Grand Rapids at the time of his death, as was also his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Roche have two children, Stuart John, who was born March 17, 1916, and Kathleen, who was born July 17, 1923.

Transcriber:  Nancy Myers
Created: 5 November 2002