BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Page 593.


CHARLES J. LA ROCHE is a prominent and successful young business man
of Bellaire. He was born in Wheeling, W. Va., May 6, 1864. His parents
were Anton and Barbara La Roche; the father was a native of Germany,
and the mother of Ohio. Anton La Roche received his education in the
old country, after which he engaged in the manufacture of willow ware,
and followed this until the year 1852, when he came to this country and
took up his abode in Baltimore, Md., and established a factory there,
he also conducting the business in the fatherland at the same time.
While on a visit to Germany he was drafted in the army, and though he
escaped his property was seized by the government. In 1855 he abandoned
his business in the east and came to Wheeling and carried on a business
there until about the year 1870, when he came to Bellaire and has since
remained here, conducting his former business. In 1861 he espoused the
mother of the principal of this sketch and by her had eleven children,
only one of them now being alive. Charles La Roche derived his early
education from the Bellaire schools. After leaving school he learned
glass-engraving, and worked at this for some years. When quite young
Mr. La Roche began the study of music and was leader of an orchestra
when but eleven years old. He was a music teacher for several years and
was very successful in his work. In 1885 with Mrs. M. J. Kelly he
started a music store in Bellaire. They continued in partnership for
about two years, he then purchased Mrs. Kelly's interest and has since
conducted the business alone. Mr. La Roche is a member of the Catholic
church, and although never having been prominently identified with any
political party he is a loyal democrat. Mr. La Roche is an enterprising
young business man and has great ability for conducting a business of
this nature on account of his marked musical talent.