Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-02-20
Tho Late John J. Roe.

The st. Louis Republican, in an
nouneing the death Of the late Jehn j.
Roe, says:
The native State of John J. Roe was
New York. He was born near Buffalo,
on the 18th Of april, 1909. His parents
were not in the best Of circumstances,
but had that spirit of enterprise which
so distinguished the early pioneers.
six years after the date given, they
determined to come West, and they
settled for a time in Cincinnati. They
afteFWard lived some time in Ken
lucky, and then removed to Rising
Sun, Ind. But little is known Of Mr..
ROe's early Life. It was spent in
working on his fathers farm, attend
I ing school, and assistingin the control
Of a ferry, in which his father had
an interest. His educational training
was not systematic and thorough, ana
this fact may, in a great measure, be
attributed to the want Of facilities
which existed at that time and region
for acquiring any but the mere TUdi-
ments Of knowledge. What be.
lacked, however, in mental culture
was, as far as cOuld be, eOunterOal-
anced By that indOmitable energy,
tact and capacity which shone out so
conspieuOusly throughout his career.
His predictions were for steamboat
ings and he gained, with a little diff
Guilty, a situation connected with TIN
interest at Cincinnati. This va
about the year 1s52. He was speedily
advanced, and was soon in the COM
mand OF a steamboat He nayigated
the Kanawha nver, Virginia, and
the Ohio and the Green river,
KY, and soon won no small reputa-
ton, and gained substantial rewards.
His interests were chiefly conferred in
Cincinnati for several years. He soon
engaged in boat building, and several
boats which ranked in the first class
were built by him. In 1881 he mar
Tied a daughter of Mr.. ThOs. Wright,
I OF Cincinnati, and Of this union were
born two children son and daugh-
ter-the latter Of whom was married
I 10 Mr.. John G. COpeiin, in iS52 Dir.
Roe removed to 81. Louis in 1874, and
I even then might be considered capi-
/ taIist. For a short time he navigated
on the Missouri, commanding the
I steamer John GOlOng- He retired
from active service in steam
boating and went into the commission
business with Mr. Kircheval as q part
ner. The firm Of Roe * kiTcheval pros
pered, and was known for its integri-
" and enterprise throughout the
whole West. After being connected
with Mr.. Kircbeval in business for hf-
teen or twenty years, a change occur
red il the firm, Mr.. Roe Identifying
himself with Mr.. Hewet5. The style
/ Of the firm was Hewett, Roe d Co.
Subsequently a partnership OF Mr. Roe
with William Hamilton and John g.
COpeiin was formed, and the firm was
thencefOFward known as John j. Roe
Il Co.; engaged in the pOrk-packing
business. This establishment was u
Of the most extensive in tine country,
and Is too well known in this
city 10 require any particular men
ton. Mr.. Roe was, up 70 the close Of
the war, a large operator in steamboat
{ stock. When the Atlantic and Mis-
sissippi Steamboat Company organ
lied he was elected President OF the
company. Tt is supposed he lost q
considerable sum by the breaking up
of that enterprise. This was his only
business reverse Of any consequence
He was q siugularly successful mer-
chant. For the last twelve years he
was President Of the United States
Insurance Company; he0WHed about
One-fOurth Of the stock of Memphis
and st. Louis Packet Company, and
was Vice President Of the c0mpauy5
he was President Of the State savings
Association, President Of the Lie As
ISOLATION OF America, and director in
the National Bank of the State Of
( Missouri. In 1865 ne was elected
I President Of TIE Union Merchants
Exchange. III religion he WAS con-
upcted win the Presbyterian Church.
/ Ia DoaIicaI matters he took no active
psrt, but was strongly conservative IN
his views. His charities were uumer-
Gus and extensive, and among the
large number Of those TO whom he
gave employment and those be other
wise benefited are many who will
keep his memory green in gratitude
and affection. He leaves behind him
an estate valued ut between two and
three millions Of dollars, and what Is
better, an untarnished name, and an
exampleOf business energy and inJeg-
rity, and social purity and kindness.