ROACH, Addison Locke
ADDISON LOCKE ROACH
Addison Locke Roach was a railroad magnet and instrumental in bringing the Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield RR (later the Baltimore & Ohio) through Roachdale, thus the name of the town. His home was at 1035 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, but was destroyed in one of the city's updates after 101 years. The home was originally built by ME Bishop, Edward Raymond Ames. Although a minister, Ames was quite into the political scene of the day and often opened this home for political meetings. Addison and Emily lived in this home for close to 40 years.
Addison was born (3 Nov 1817) to (Dr) Stephen and Elmira Sloan McCorkle Roach, and was a native of Rutherford, Tennessee. With his family, Addison came north in 1828 to the Bloomington area, where he attended Indiana University, graduating in September 1836. Moving to Parke County, Indiana, he studied law with the estimable Tilgham A. Howard.
A popular lawyer, he first worked at Frankfort in Clinton County, afterwards spending a summer and fall in travel. Returning to Rockville in January of 1842, he married Emily Wedding whom he had met when living in Parke.
In 1847, he was elected to the Legislature from that county, serving just one term. However, he was elected judge in 1852 to Indiana's Supreme Court, continuing that assignment for two years. It was in '59 when he moved to Indianapolis and practiced law with Joseph E. McDonald for ten years. They erected a nice business block on Pennsylvania near Washington Street. Because of poor health he next went to managing the New York Mercantile Trust Company. It was about this time he lost a son who had just began practicing law.
Although the original spelling of his name was Roach, Addison later added an e to it. At the age of 85, this man decided to venture again and went to Los Angeles California selling the above home. Passing away in Los Angeles 24 April 1906, he is buried with his beloved in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis. They were the parents of seven children, including lawyer Addison Jr, whom Addison Sr. likely went to live with in LA. Only five of their offspring grew to adulthood.
Interesting notations: (via Marsha Huie, Roach historian) -- Addison's grandfather McCorkle (Robert, 1764-1828, NC) was a Revolutionary Soldier. Addison's father absolutely hated slavery and this was part of the reason they moved to Indiana. He drafted the original Indianapolis Public Library paperwork and was Trustee of the University of Indiana.
Source: http://historicindianapolis.com/hi-mailbag-ovid-butler-jameson-house/