George R. Roatch

     George R. was born on Wednesday, 6 May 1835 in New York. George married Martha Jane Ridgely, daughter of Westall Ridgely and Susannah Winbegler, on 5 March 1858 in Van Buren County, Michigan. George & Martha had children: Frank [10/01/1859-11/07/1958][m. 21/10/1912 Mary Barron] & Clark [4/17/1871-12/20/1927][m. Asa C. Schug]. 7 July 1860, George and his wife, Martha, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Marcellus Township, Cass County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were George Roach [26 New York][mill man] & his wife: M. J. [26 Ohio].¹ 8 August 1870, George and his wife, Martha, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Marcellus Township. Enumerated in this household were George Roatch [34 New York] & his wife: Martha [34 Ohio], child: Francis [9 Michigan]. He is a farmer.² 25 June 1880, George and his wife, Martha, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Flowerfield Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were George Roatch [45 New York] & his wife: Martha J. [35 Ohio], children: Frank [19 Michigan] & Clark [9 Michigan]. He is a farmer.³ George's wife, Martha, died on 9 January 1898 in Flowerfield Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan, leaving him a widower.⁴ 9 June 1900, George was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Flowerfield Township. Enumerated in this household were George Roatch [66 New York-June 1834][widower], son: Clark [29 Michigan-April 1871] and servant: Hannah Childs [45 Michigan-May 1854]. He is a farmer.⁵ George died on Saturday, 26 October 1907 in Flowerfield at age 72 years, 5 months and 20 days of organic heart disease and chronic nephilitis. He was buried on 29 October 1907 at Marcellus Township in Bly Cemetery. The inscription on his tombstone reads: Geo. Roatch - 1835-1907.⁴