Yolo-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Roach, William Edward 1872 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 10, 2005, 12:01 pm

Author: Tom Gregory

WILLIAM EDWARD ROACH

    One of the most prosperous and highly esteemed farmers and viticulturists of
Yolo county is Mr. Roach, who since 1892 has been identified with Woodland and
Madison. He was born February 18, 1872, near Ironton, Lawrence county, Ohio, and
in that state too his parents, Eli and Mary (Dillon) Roach, were born. They
became farmers of Lawrence county, and there they now reside. The son received
his education in the schools of his home locality and at the age of seventeen he
went to Douglas county, Ill., where for two years he was employed on a farm. It
was in 1892 that he came to California and located in Woodland, and after being
variously employed for a time he became an employe on the place of Dr. H. P.
Merritt, remaining there for about twelve years, all of this time excepting the
first year being foreman of the ranch. Subsequently going to San Francisco, he
secured a position in the shops of the Union Iron Works and remained there about
eighteen months. Later on he leased the old Dr. H. P. Merritt ranch near
Madison, a tract of twelve hundred acres, and this he has farmed ever since with
increasing success. In January, 1911, at Mullen station, one mile south of
Woodland, he purchased eighty acres for $227.50 an acre, all set to vineyard,
mostly table grapes. He leases his vineyard profitably, his 1912 rent netting
him $1500, showing an increased valuation of over one hundred per cent. He
operates his ranch with eight mule teams, and gathers his crops with a combined
harvester, which he propels with thirty head of mules. Besides raising grain and
alfalfa he also raises cattle and hogs.

    The marriage of Mr. Roach occurred in San Francisco in September, 1897, and
united him with Miss Nellie Kerr, who like himself was a native of Lawrence
county, Ohio. The two children born to them are Floyd D. and Mary B. Mr. Roach
has one brother in California, John C. Roach, who makes his home with him. A
member of Madison Lodge No. 287, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand, Mr.
Roach is also affiliated with the encampment at Woodland. Politically he is a
stanch Democrat, keenly interested in both civic and national issues. As a
citizen of the highest type and worth, he enjoys the universal esteem of his
associates, and may always be relied upon to contribute his share towards the
progress of the community.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth
and Development From the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]


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