John Ambrose Rohan, sole owner of the John A. Rohan Boiler Works Company of St. Louis, was born January 1, 1874, in the city where he now resides. His father, John Rohan, was a native of Callan, in the county of Kilkenny, Ireland, his birth there occurring in 1833. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world he landed at New Orleans and made his way northward to St. Louis, where he took up his abode on the 1st of January, 1849. He continued a resident of this city for almost six decades, passing away on the 25th of March, 1905. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Christina Lortz, was born in Kaskaskia, Illinois, in 1840, and passed away November 22, 1889. They were married in St. Louis and had a family of six sons and two daughters.
John A. Rohan, who was the fourth in order of birth, was educated in the public and parochial schools of St. Louis and in the Christian Brothers College, from which he was graduated in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He received his initial business training under the direction of his father and when the business was incorporated under the name of the John Rohan & Son Boiler Works he was made vice president. Since his father’s death he has become sole owner of the business, which is now carried on under the name of the John A. Rohan Boiler Works Company. This is one of the important industrial enterprises of St. Louis, a business of large proportions being carried on and Mr. Rohan is the owner of a splendidly equipped plant supplied with all modern machinery and every facility to promote the work.
On the 26th of April, 1899, in St. Malachy’s church in St. Louis, Mr. Rohan was married to Miss May Hatton, a daughter of Daniel L. Hatton, formerly well known as a dealer in fancy groceries in this city. They have one son, John A., born July 15, 1901. The parents are members of St. Rose’s Catholic church and Mr. Rohan belongs to the Knights of Columbus, being identified with Kenrich Council. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, with the Millers Club and is the first vice president of the Apollo Club, one of the leading musical organizations of St. Louis. In his business career he has made steady advancement. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in enlarging and controlling this many a man of less resolute spirit would have failed. He has been watchful of all opportunities pointing to success and has ever maintained high standards of efficiency in the output of the plant. Therefore he has gained a liberal patronage and the John A. Rohan Boiler Works is today one of the leading industrial interests of St. Louis.