Van Alstyne Leader
May 8, 1997
pg 18

Civil War Veteran Stephen Monroe Roach

Stephen Monroe Roach was born June 16, 1845, in Macon County, Tennessee; he died in Grayson County Texas on February 17, 1914. His father was James A. Roach [1805-1872] and his mother was Jane McConnally [born 1814].
On April 30, 1874, Stephen married Sarah Elizabeth McKinney [February 25, 1853, Grayson County - March 19, 1885].  She was the daughter of Daniel Leak McKinney and Martha Marilea Wilmeth.  Both Stephen and Sarah are buried at Van Alstyne, Texas.  They had six children,
John William, Sallie Minnie, Jim Leak, Monroe Abner, Eliza B, and Martha (Mattie) Susan.  All six were born at Cold Springs Community and went to school in Grayson County.

John William Roach was born June 11 1875, and died August 13, 1948.

Sallie Minnnie Roach was born December 17, 1876, and died July 10, 1962.

Jim Leak Roach was born February 14, 1878, and died December 12, 1958. He married Sarah Ella Neill; they had a daughter, Jewell.

Monroe Abner Roach (December 8, 1879 - January 6, 1957) married Maggie Davis; they had no children.

Eliza B. Roach (October 10, 1881 - April 26, 1964) married Nettie May Ledgewood.  They had four children: Leo, Nettie, Lloyd and Rose.

Martha Susan Roach (June 16, 1994 - October 1, 1956) married Charles Lamb. Their six children were Roy, Ida Faye, Orvil, Jim, Minnie Catherine, and Raymond.

From 1862 to 1863, Stephen saw service with Company G, 8th Kentucky Cavalry.  He re-enlisted February 3, 1864 at Evansville, Indiana and served with Companies Aand F, First Indiana Cavalry.  He was mustered out in 1865.  Stephen came to Texas about 1866.  He was a farmer and a mechanic, and active as a state organizer for the Farmers Union, which was established in 1874.

In 1889, Stephen Roach married his second wife, Bettie Llewellyn, (March 15, 1859 - April 29, 1942).  She was from Mississippi.  They had one son Stephen Andrew, (February 22, 1890 - April 13 1957).  He married Lillie Smith and had two children, Blanch and Stephen Andrew Jr.; his second wife was Ella Crawford; they had one child, Lula Mac.

Mr. Roach built his own home in Cold Spring which has been partially standing for 131 years.  Mr Roach owned and operated a government licensed still which later was converted into a saw mill and grist mill.  Roach also operated his cotton gin and threshing machine, and was a leader in the Knights of Labor in this area when this order was at its height.  He was also a leader in the old Grange, the Farmers Alliance; and at his death in 1914 was a member of the Farmers Union. He was active in locating and building an Alliance Mill in Sherman.  He died at the old Community Hopsital and was brought to Van Alstyne on the Interurban and was met by wagon as there were no Funeral Homes, to Mrs. J. C. McMillan at 105 West Jefferson, his daughter.  Many people came as it was a pretty day.  His funeral was outside in the back yard.  His body was taken to rest in the Van Alstyne Cemetery.  As of now, he has six grandchildren.