Background
John A. Roche was born in Utica, New York on August 12, 1844.
John A. Roche was born in Utica, New York on August 12, 1844.
He was the 30th mayor of the city. Early years
He stayed in business for a long time, and had but a high school education. He was a firm believer in education and mentions this in his inaugural address.
Move to Chicago
In 1869, he moved to Chicago to do business.
He loved it, and decided to become a candidate for the Republican Party. People admired him for his assertive and straightforward nature and history of business.
As a mayor, he was prominent for the drainage and water supply commission and being appointed to suppress gambling in saloons as well as closing disreputable ones. Retirement
After retiring, he focused his attention once again on business, and became manager and vice president of the Crane Elevator Company.
In 1893 he was elected president of the Lake Street Elevated Railroad Company.
He then died on February 10, 1904, one hour after a meeting from uremic poisoning. He was buried at buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.