Memorable Manitobans: William James Roche (1859-1937)

Click to enlarge

William James Roche
Click to enlarge

Physician, MP (1896-1900), MP (1900-1904), MP (1904-1908), MP (1908-1911), MP (1911-1917).

Born at Clandeboye, Ontario on 30 November 1859, son of William Elliott Roche and Maria Carter Hodgins, he was educated at Lucan public school, London high school, Trinity Medical College (Toronto), and Western University (London). He came to Minnedosa in 1883 and established a medical practise.

He was territorial representative on the council for the College of Physicians and Surgeons (1885-1901) and was an unsuccessful candidate for a seat in the Manitoba Legislature during the 1892 general election. In 1896, he was elected to the House of Commons and was re-elected at general elections in 1900, 1904, 1908, and 1911, and a by-election in October 1911. He was elected Conservative Whip for the West in 1901.

On 17 July 1884, he married Annie Elizabeth Cook (1862-?) of Toronto. He was a member of the IOOF and Anglican church.

He died at Ottawa, Ontario on 30 September 1937.

Sources:

The Canadian Album: Men of Canada or Success by Example, Vol. III, Bradley, Garretson & Co., Brantford, Ontario, 1894.

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

A History of Manitoba: Its Resources and People by Prof. George Bryce, Toronto: The Canadian History Company, 1906.

Who’s Who in Western Canada: A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of Western Canada, Volume 1, edited by C. W. Parker, Vancouver: Canadian Press Association, 1911.

The Canadian Directory of Parliament, 1867-1967, edited by J. K. Johnson, Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa [Library and Archives Canada], 1968.

Who's Who and Why, Volumes 6 and 7, 1915-1916, page 723.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 21 February 2022

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text:

Custom Search

Browse surnames beginning with:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

Browse deaths occurring in:
1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024


Send corrections and additions to this page
to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca

Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements

Help us keep
history alive!