The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-21
THE PERSONALITY OF JOHN ROACH
characteristics of the Great Shipbuilder at His
Business and in His Family Circle
Philadelphia Press.

Philadelphia Press.
Probably the best abused man in this coun-
try during the past few weeks has been John
Roach, and vet probably no man ever deserved
it less. Mr.. Roach has constructed millions and
millions of dollars worth of steam vessels has
never lost customer and never had lawsuit
No shipowner ever took ship from John
Roachs yard in an unsatisfactory condition.
Tho better he is known, the better he is re-
spected and appreciated. Liberal to a fault, he
cannot ignore an appeal for aid or sympathy,
and churches, charitable organizations and ndi-
viduals are objects of his charity. A man with
less malice never lived. He has "a good word for
everybody. The poorest and the most ignorant
of his workmen approach Shm with ,confi-
dence He knows he has a friend in
John Roach. A better husband or a
MIR. Roach said newspaper man, shave you
any hobby Yes, was the ready reply. MAY
| inquire what it ISL Yes" said the shin
builder, lit is my family" When he visits his
Chester yard there is no business transacted
until he has first telegraphed his wife of his safe
arrival, and next visited the family of his son,
Who resides in Chester, and ascertained that
they are all in health. Then he goes to the yard
dons an old coat and an old hat and starts for
tramp through that immense establishment
When he returns to the Office he knows more of
the condition of every branch of the work in
progress than any other man connected with il.
tie has the faculty of being able to quickly grasp
the many details and mastering them While
IA
his personal appearance Were it not for his
wife, the chances would be in favor of his sus-
penders being fastened with a six penny nail.
good story is related of him one day in Wall
street where he is familiar figure. Halo
Uncle John" as he is frequently called, ''by
JOve that's fine coat. Give me the name of
your tailor, won't you" said friend while
others congratulated him upon the fit, style,
reached home. said he to his wife: ''Mother,
everybody seems to like my coat: is it better
than | usually wear?" His wife looked at it, and,
behold, he had worn his coat inside out. His
workinen at the shipyard all remember the coat
he wore about the yard, with the two rings
marked with white lead where he had sat upon
template.
At home. among his children and grand-child-
rem, he is as mild and gentle as he is persistent
and pushing in his business. Here comes
grand pa is the signal for a regular picnic
among the grand children. They will flock
around him while he goes down in his pockets,
where there is generally something slowed
away for their benefit. When there is nothing
else handful of change will be drawn out,
thrown up, ard the children told to scramble
for what comes down, and they are as liable to
find falf dollars and quarters as nickels and
pennies.
On the trains between New York and Wash
ington Mr.. Roach is known to all the train
hands and he may be frequently found stretch
ed out upon two or three trunks in the baggage
car, snugly tucked up by the baggage master,
with a roll under his head and slippers upon his
feet, resting while travelling. All hands are glad
to see him and always ready to add to his com
fort.
Mr.. Roach is seventy years of age, of solid
build, eats from necessity, and is hardy and we'll
preserved. His habit is to retire about II P. NJ.
and rise at in the morning Eight o'clock will
find him busy at work, for his personal inspec-
ton of all work has, he states, been the secret
of his success.
John Roach was born in Ireland. He came to
this country when sixteen years old. Finding
no employment in New York, the poor. friend
less boy crossed over into New Jersey in search
of man who had worked for his father in the
old country. He found him at the Howell
Works, sixty miles from Jersey City, and pro
cured work in the same establishment, which was
owned by James Allaire. Three years from be-
ginning life in the United States he had accum-
muiated 81 800 and, leaving the balance Of his
savings in the hands of Mr.. Allaire took small
the intention to buy land. Mr. Allaire's failure
in business killed this project and left the young
man under the necessity Of working as a laborer
in order to live. He returned to New York and
shortly afterWards-he was a married man by
this time set up in business, in which he pros
pered for while, but was afterwards financially
ruined by the explosion of boiler.
Undaunted, he started afresh, and became the
owner of the foundry in which were built the
largest engines ever constructed in the United
States up to that time After few years he
bought the Morgan Iron works, the Neptune
the Franklin Forge and the Aliaire Works. In
November, 1871, he also bought the shipyards at
Chester. Pa, owned By Messrs. Reany 6 Sons
Since that time he has built many fine steam
ships.