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| HORACE ROACH, farmer and lumberman, on sec. 19, Deerfield Tp., was born March 22, 1820, in Argyle, Washinton Co., N.Y. He is a son of Edward S. and Betsey (Reed) Roach, natives of Vermont, who settled in New York in pioneer days. They afterward came to Michigan and located in Monroe County, and later, in Calhoun County, going thence to Barry County, where after a residence of 12 years the father died. His death occurred in the spring of 1871; the mother is still living, with a son in Barry County. Mr. Roach remained under the care of his parents until he was 16 years of age, when he came to Michigan, and resided in Whiteford five years, then returned to the State of New York, coming back to Michigan five years later when he purchased 80 acres of land in St. Joseph County, for which he paid $3 an acre. He built thereon a small frame house and proceeded to improve his property. He was enabled two years later to purchase an additional 80 acres adjoining, which he increased in five years to 240 acres of farming land of a high grade. This was his home nearly 13 years. In 1857 he exchanged this property for 500 acres of timber land in Cass County, on which there was a steam saw-mill, having a capacity of 12,000 feet per diem. The mill was destroyed by fire a year later, and was without delay replaced by a more valuable structure, with a capacity of 15,000 feet daily. This mill Mr. Roach managed two years, employing 10 men. He made a second exchange of property in 1860, for 200 acres of improved land with good buildings, and situated adjacent to his old farm in St. Joseph County. This he operated six years, and sold for $13,000. He then removed to Ionia County, and passed six years in limbering. He made a purchase of 180 acres of land in Ionia County, under partial cultivation, and also 640 acres of pine land in Montcalm County. He combined the business of a clothier in Ionia with his other interests, hiring laborers to perform the farm duties. In 1872 he disposed of his entire property by sale, and bought 400 acres of pine land in the township of Aetna, Mecosta Co., and also a shingle mill in Morley, which he operated until 1879. He again sold out all his interests and bought 200 acres in Deerfield Tp., with limited improvements. Of this latter purchase 120 acres are under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Roach was married in Detroit, Oct. 20, 1845, to Caroline E., daughter of Charles and Polly (Burt) Macomber, natives of the State of New York, who came to Michigan in 1844, locating in St. Joseph County, where her father died in 1875. Her mother resides at Three Rivers, Mich. Mr. Roach saw the first train of cars that passed from Albany to Schenectady, and was also an observer of the first train which ran i the Peninsular State, going from Toledo to Adrian. The latter was rendered a conspicuous event by the fact that hundreds of Indians were present on that occasion. Mr. R. is an outspoken, zealous Republican, has often been proffered offices of trust in the various localities where he has resided, but always declines. The family attend the M. E. Church. |