William Nathaniel Roach (September 25, 1840 – September 7, 1902) was a United States senator from North Dakota.

William Roach
United States Senator
from North Dakota
In office
March 4, 1893 – March 4, 1899
Preceded byLyman R. Casey
Succeeded byPorter J. McCumber
Personal details
Born
William Nathaniel Roach

(1840-09-25)September 25, 1840
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedSeptember 7, 1902(1902-09-07) (aged 61)
New York City, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationGeorgetown University
Signature

Biography

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Miss Roach, daughter of William N. Roach

He was born in Washington D.C. to Edward Roach and Catherine (née Manning) Roach. He had four siblings. His father died in 1861. He attended the public schools, Gonzaga College High School and Georgetown University. He was a clerk in the quartermaster's department during the Civil War. He moved to Dakota Territory in 1879 and settled in Larimore; he was interested in mail contracts for several years and was a member of the Territorial House of Representatives in 1885.

Roach was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor at the first State election in 1889 and again in 1891. He was elected to the U.S. Senate and served from March 4, 1893, to March 4, 1899. In 1893, a subcommittee in the Senate was convened to hear evidence that Roach had embezzled money while acting as an officer of a bank. Expulsion was considered, but the subcommittee decided the matter was too long past to take such action.[1][2][3] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection and discontinued active business pursuits and lived in retirement in Washington, D.C.

He died suddenly on September 7, 1902 while on a trip to New York City.[4]

He was married to Verona E. (neé Larkin) Roach. Together they had one daughter named Catherine Herron.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Senator Roach's record; Mr. Hoar asks that it shall be investigated. A resolution to that effect to be taken up to-day -- The North Dakota Senator accused of an embezzlement many years ago -- the facts as they appear". The New York Times. March 29, 1893. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "U.S. Senate: About Expulsion". www.senate.gov. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Senate Treatment of Prior Misconduct". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "William N. Roach". Prairie Public Broadcasting. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
Party political offices
First Democratic nominee for Governor of North Dakota
1889, 1890
Succeeded by
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. Senator (Class 1) from North Dakota
1893–1899
Served alongside: Henry C. Hansbrough
Succeeded by