History of Northern Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1881, vol II, P. 715
Horace RICHARDS, proprietor of the Lake View Hotel, Maiden Rock (on Lake Pepin in Pierce County, Wisconsin), was born 02 November 1826 in New York State. He came to Wisconsin in 1869, first settling at Pepin; in 1875 he was elected Sheriff of Pepin County. He then moved to Durand (on the Chippewa River in Pepin County), where he was proprietor of the Ecklor House and lived there until May 1879, when he moved to Maiden Rock, and took charge of the hotel there. Mr. RICHARDS is at present Constable of the Town of Maiden Rock (Pierce County, Wisconsin). In 1853 in New York, Horace Richards married Miss Mary Morgan, who was born in New York State. Their family (the family of Horace and Mary (Morgan) consists of six children: (1) Robert A., (2) Laura E.(now Mrs. George F. HESLIN) of Frontenac (Goodhue County), Minnesota; (3) Cora; (4) Grant; (5) John M.; and (6) Horace, Jr. Submitted by Cathy Kubly.
RISSUE, Jacob was born in Albany county, New York, in 1849, son of David and Diana (Miller) Rissue, and came to this part of the country as a boy in 1853, receiving his education in the schools of Clifton township,Pierce county, where he now resides, owning 160 acres in section 13, 100 acres being under cultivation. In 1878 he was married to Clara Wilson, by whom he had five children-Etta, May, Winnie, Lydia and Henry. In 1889 he married for his second wife E. S. Miller, by whom he has three children-Harry, Inza and Frank.Mr. Rissue is a Republican in politics and is regarded as a successful farmer, being one of those men who always endeavor to do the best they can. His farm is well cared for; the whole place is well kept. (Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909)
ROATCH, James S. now living a retired life at Ellsworth, Wis., was born in Bennington county, Vermont, February 27, 1821. His parents moved to the state of New York when James was a young boy, and settled in Montgomery County, where he received his education, and remained until twenty-eight years old. He engaged in farming in New York State, and about 1855 came to Wisconsin, settling in Fond du Lac county, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land. He cleared it up and made a home, and there lived upwards of twenty years. At the end of this time he moved to Pierce County, and settled on 160 acres of timber land in Harland township. This wooded farm he cleared and made a home for himself and family where they lived until 1891, when he moved to Bay City, having sold part of his farm. He bought forty acres near Bay City, where he lived for twelve years. Selling this farm he moved to Ellsworth and has lived a retired life ever since. He voted for Abraham Lincoln, and has continued to vote the Republican ticket since that time. Mr. Roatch was married in New York State when he was twenty-seven years old, to Sally Ann Wilbur. She died, leaving ten children, all of whom are still living. All were born in Wisconsin, except the two oldest, who were born in New York State.
Mrs. Roatch died two years after she came to Pierce County, and is buried at Bay City, Wis. Mr. Roatch married for his second wife, Mrs. Luticia Mason, widow of D. S. Mason. By this union, there has been no issue. The names of the children by the first marriage are: Abigail Agenet, wife of Henry Lawrence, of Barron county. Betsey A. W., wife of Simson Rand, a farmer of Barron county, Wisconsin. Edward Franklin is a farmer and resides in Barron County. He married Miss Conroy. William R. is proprietor of the Ellsworth House. He married Miss Buchmaster. Thomas Peirson resides in Hartland Township, Wisconsin. Almon James married Martha McMaster and resides in Minnesota. Horace Alias married Minnie Spriggle and resides at Bay City. Storrs Perry resides in Harland Township on a farm of 100 acres. He married Maggie Conroy. Adora Amelia is the wife of E. C. Ames, of Ellsworth, Wis. The other is Rancel Adelbert. All of the children of Mr. Roatch were educated at Fond du Lac and in Pierce County. There were only four or five homes in Ellsworth when Mr. Roatch came to Pierce County. He has seen Pierce county change from its wild and primitive state to the rich and highly cultivated farms of today, and has done his full share towards making Pierce County what it is at the present time. (taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909)
ROBEY, Manuel B. school clerk for fifteen years, was born near Dayton, O., in 1861, son of William and Nancy (Paterson) Robey, the former of whom was born in 1825 and died in April of 1881, and the latter of whom was born in 1827 and died in 1906. Upon coming to this country the parents lived for two years in Kinnickinnic Township, afterward moving to section 24, River Falls Township, where Manuel now resides. The farm originally consisted of 200 acres; it now contains 120 acres, 100 acres being under cultivation. In the family there were four brothers and three sisters-Mrs. Bell Greur, of Massachusetts; Jennie, who died in 1884; Lonia who was killed in 1874 by being thrown out of a wagon; Manuel; Marion, born in 1855, now a veterinary surgeon in Grantsburg, Wis.; Dr. Philip, who died in 1900, and Daniel, who died in 1904. Manuel received his education in the common schools of this county and was raised on the farm, taking possession at the time of his father's death. The place is neat and well kept, and Mr. Robey is a good all around citizen, neighbor and farmer in every way. In politics he is a Democrat, and his services on the school board have been highly regarded. He was married in 1888 to Anna Ness, born in Norway in 1868, daughter of David Ness, both of her parents being still alive in the old country. She came to America in 1885, and at the time of her marriage was residing in Grand Forks, N. D. This union has been blessed with eight children-Thornton, born in 1889; Roscoe, born in 1890; Flavel, born in 1893; Ferris, born in 1895; Delmer born in 1897; Laverne born in 1899; Alice, born in 1904; Ernest born in 1907. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909
ROCK, Michael, clerk of the town of Oak Grove, was born in Germany, town of Saarburg, September 4, 1861, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Badeuwine) Rock. He came to America with his parents in 1868, settling in Pierce County, where he received his early education, remaining at home until twenty-five years of age. November 24, 1886, he was married to Lena Jonas, daughter of Andrew and Susan, (Simon) Jonas. This union has resulted in nine children, all of whom are at home. They are: Andrew M., Frederick N., Albert J., Herman W., Hilda A., Susie C., Frances B., Elvira E. and Clara N. A. Mr. Rock is a Roman Catholic in religion, attending St. Mary's church at Big River, Wis. In politics he is independent. He has occupied his present position of justice of the peace for eight years and has been town clerk ten years. In 1898 he purchased his present farm, upon which he raises small grain and live stock, with considerable success. Nicholas, the father, was born in Germany, May 24, 1834, and died July 11, 1886, while his wife was born May 6, 1850, in Germany, and now makes her home with her youngest son, William D., of Oak Grove, Wis. They were the parents of nine children: Annie is Mrs. William Schommer, of Oak Grove, Wis.; Michael lives in the same township; Mathias lives in Mendota, Minn.; Nicholas lives in River Falls, Wis.; Peter lives in Trim Belle Township, Wisconsin; William D. lives in Oak Grove, Wis.; Peter died in infancy; John died January 24, 1902, at twenty four years of age; Susie died June 30, 1900, at the age of nineteen. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909
ROLSON, Robert S. , was one of those citizens whose memory will long be held in loving regard by all those with whom he came in contact. He was born at Trondjem, Norway, June 10, 1844, of staunch old Norse parentage. His early life was like that of the other Norwegian youths of his native place, education in the common schools and then work with his father. At the age of twenty-one years he immigrated to America, with Red Wing, Minn., as his destination. For a time he worked in Goodhue County, Minnesota, and finally came to the Wisconsin side, purchasing a farm in the town of Diamond Bluff, Wis. Upon this place he did a general agricultural business, raising the unusual crops and breeding some live stock. This venture proved profitable and he was always known as a successful and prosperous farmer. November 25, 1875, he was united in marriage with Minnie Oltman, daughter of Bernard and Anna (Kinneman) Oltman. The father came from Germany in 1868 and located at Diamond Bluff, where he was a progressive farmer and popular citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Rolson had three children: Lorena, Maud and Frank. Lorena is the wife of John F. Shaw and the mother of two children, Evelyin and Merle. Mr. Shaw is editor and publisher of the Ellsworth "Record." At once upon arriving in this township, Mr. Rolson took an active interest in public affairs. His fellow townsmen recognized his worth and sent him for many years as a delegate to various county, congressional and state conventions. In 1888 he was elected sheriff of Pierce County, being thrice re-elected. He also represented the town of Diamond Bluff and the village of Ellsworth on the county board, serving as chairman of that body for one year. In his youth he was confirmed in the Lutheran church and was on of the founders and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. He belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fellows' lodges at Ellsworth, the River Falls Royal Arch and St. Croix Commandery No. 14, of Hudson, Wis. Mr. Rolson died June 19, 1907, at St. Luke's Hospital, St. Paul, Minn., as the result of peritonitis, having been ill since June 10, of that year. The most skilled medical attention and careful nursing proved unavailing to check the ravages of the disease. He is laid to rest in the Ellsworth cemetery. His death bereaved the community of one of its leading citizens. In life he had held to a marked degree the confidence and esteem of his business associates. His work as a public official was characterized by courage, promptness, efficiency and good judgment. It was his greatest care that all the public service entrusted to him should be faithfully and honestly performed. He was a loving and devoted husband, an affectionate and wise father, a good citizen, a faithful friend and a generous, upright and lofty-minded gentleman. (taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909).
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