Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1887 — JOHN ROACH. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JOHN ROACH.

The Famous Ship-Builder on His Death-Bed —Afflicted with Oancer. [New York special.] It is known that for some weeks John Roach, the ship-builder, has been confined to his residence in gradually failing health. According to his own desire, that his friends should not be needlessly alarmed and apprehensive of the etfect upon him of learning the real nature of the disease from which he is suffering, his family and physicians have been reticent in regard to his condition. Mr. Roach. however, —new realizes fully the impossibility of recovery, and the reason for concealment no longer exists. In view of this fact, a representative of Mr. Roach’s family has made the

fpllowing authoritative statement of his condition. “Mr. Roach is beyond the reach of mediical help save in the alleviation of his sufferings, which have long been incessant and intense. His disease is epithelioma, and its development has been very similar to the case of General Grant, the location, however, being the roof of the mouth instead of the throat. All efforts to arrest its progress have failed, and only his powerful constitution has sustained him so long. He has never seen a well day since the entire nervous prostration consequent upon his assignment eighteen months ago. From that crushing blow he could not rally, and the cancer began to develop last January. In March an operation was performed, in the hope that the disease might be eradicated. In the summer the trouble returned, and it became evident to the physicians that there was no hope. Mr. Roach is now failing gradually, his agony relieved only by anodynes.” Ship-building on the Delaware was made famous through John Roach, and who also may be said to have built the. city of Chester, Pa.; at least, he has been instrumental in making the city what it is to-day, a great ship-building metropolis. Mr. Roach was born in Ireland, but was reared in America, in the city of New York. Prior to his starting in business on his own account he was a common workman in the Allaire Works. At this place he soon advanced himself, through his adaptability to business, to the position of foreman, after which he establrehed himself in business with a very small capital, but his old

employer’s recommendation assisted him to a moderate credit, and his natural force soon gave him prominence. In 1867 he was financially able to purchase the Morgan Iron Works, for about $400,000, and in 1868 the Neptune Works, for $150,000; and two years later the Franklin Forge, for $125,000, and also a large property at Chester, Pa., where he subsequently put in operation the extensive works known as the Delaware Riv r Iron, Ship-building and Engine Works; of which corporation Mr. Roach was the President and owner. He is the builder of numbers of vessels for the United States Government.