My Genealogy Hound

JOHN M. ROUCH. The business of the manufacture of lumber and lumber products has for some years formed one of the important productive industries of Berrien County. Mr. Rouch is a thoroughly practical and experienced man in the sawmill business, and has conducted extensive enterprises in that line for a long period. He has been a resident of Buchanan since 1889, and is consequently identified with the interests of the village, of which he is one of the most influential citizens.

Dauphin County, Pa., is the birthplace of Mr. Rouch, and he was born eighteen miles from the city of Harrisburg, July 15, 1840. His father, Henry Rouch, was a native of Pennsylvania and followed farming pursuits in that State until his death. His wife was Eliza Zearing, a native of the Keystone State, and of German-English descent. Five sons and two daughters were born to bless this home, and among the number our subject was third in order of birth. His boyhood years were uneventfully passed in his native place and he grew to manhood self-reliant and intelligent, well fitted to cope with the obstacles which lie in the path of every ambitious young man.

In 1866 Mr. Rouch came to Michigan and located in Bertrand Township, where he engaged in general farming for one year. Soon afterward, in the spring of 1869, he married Miss Susan, daughter of Daniel and Martha Bressler, and in the following year the young couple located in Buchanan Township. Mr. Rouch purchased a farm situated one mile west of the village of Buchanan, and there he embarked in farming, continuing at that place for six years, and meanwhile placing valuable improvements on the estate. Removing thence to Bertrand Township, he resided in that portion of the country for eleven years, devoting his entire attention to the work of improving a farm. In 1884 he purchased an interest in a sawmill in Oronoko Township, which he carried on successfully for two years. Then selling his interest in the enterprise, he located in the village of Buchanan, where he now owns a half-interest in a sawmill. His business enterprises have proved uniformly successful, and in all his investments he has displayed sagacity and executive ability.

In his social connection, Mr. Rouch is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Blue Lodge No. 68, at Buchanan; Chapter No. 2, at Niles; and Niles Commandery No. 12. In his political views, Mr. Rouch has made a careful study of the issues of the day, and believes that the principles adopted by the Republican party will best subserve the interests of the people. He served for two terms as Treasurer of Bertrand Township, and has been a member of the Board of Aldermen at Buchanan. He and his wife have been the parents of three children, the youngest of whom, Rosa, is deceased. The surviving children are Lulu and Ada.