Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

RITZMAN,
LEVI, W.

p 1683

Surnames: RITZMAN, SHEAFFER, KEENER, WAGNER, HENNE, LESHER,
KANTNER, BURKHART, BARNETT

Levi W. Ritzman, the leading general merchant of Strausstown, Berks
county, is also one of the most prominent men in his locality,
having for years been a worker in the Democratic party, the holder
of various local offices and an active man in fraternal and church
life.

Mr. Ritzman’s great- grandfather, Michael
Ritzman, lived above Bernville, near Rehrersburg, where he had a
small farm, upon which he ran a distillery. His son Jacob, the
grandfather of Levi W. Ritzman, was likewise a farmer near
Rehrersburg, where he died, and he is buried at the old Rehrersburg
Lutheran Church. He married Barbara Sheaffer, and to them were born
children as follows: George; Jacob; Lydia, who married William
Keener; Elizabeth, who is living at Strausstown; and Selesia,
living at Rehrersburg.

Jacob Ritzman, son of Jacob, was born Feb. 4,
1825, and was a farmer in Upper Tulpehocken township, owning the
farm about two miles from Strausstown, upon which the well- known
Indian fort was built; it was used for protection against the
Indians. He married Sarah Wagner, born May 18, 1823, died October
1, 1889, and Mr. Ritzman passed away Nov. 14, 1873. They are both
buried at the Zion’s ( Blue Mountain ) Church. They were the
parents of six children: Nicholas, who is living in Reading, Pa. ;
W. W., also of Reading; Levi W. ; Abraham W., a resident of
Shartlesville; Israel W. , of Reading; and Hannah W., wife of Aaron
F. Henne, of Strausstown.

Levi W. Ritzman was born March 29, 1854, in
Jefferson township, Berks county, and there attended the public
schools, remaining with his father until he was seventeen years
old. While at home he assisted with the farm work, and later began
clerking for S. W. Lesher, at Schaefferstown, with whom he remained
two years. His next employer was S. B. Kantner, at Strausstown, for
whom he clerked until he bought out the establishment, in 1878.
Here he has built up a thriving business, now having the largest
general store in the town, where he carries a complete stock of
goods in common demand in his section. He is an enterprising man,
honorable in his dealings, and has the confidence and support of
the community.

Mr. Ritzman is a faithful Democrat in political
opinion, and he has been active in the party for many years, was
committeeman for twelve years, and has been a delegate to numerous
county and State conventions. He served three years as auditor of
his township, and has served the same length of time as school
director; he was assessor for six years, and in 1902 was a
candidate for county commissioner, but withdrew in favor of a
friend in his part of the county. He is an honored member of
various fraternal organizations, belonging to Williamson Lodge, No.
307, F. & A. M. ; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, Reading; Reading
Commandery, No. 42, K. T. , Reading, Pa. ; Strausstown Lodge, No.
77, I. O. O. F. (charter member ) ; Lodge No. 289, Daughters of
Rebekah (charter member ) ; Camp No. 133, P. O. S. of A. , at
Shartlesville ; and Tulpehocken Castle, No. 133, K. G. E. (charter
member ). Mr. Ritzman is a Lutheran in religious faith, and he has
been an earnest worker in his church, which he has served as deacon
and elder and for nine years as treasurer.

Mr. Ritzman married Kate S. Burkhart, daughter
of Enoch Burkhart and a member of a well- known Berks county
family, of Bernville, Pa. , and they have had a family of seven
children, four of whom died young. The survivors are: Bertha M. ,
who is the wife of Charles T. Barnett. a barber at No. 209 Penn
street, Reading, and they have a daughter, Beulah Barbara ; Orson
Nevin taught four terms school in Upper Tulpehocken township, and
is now employed as instructor in the Ovens School, Pottsville, Pa.
; Rhoda May is teaching public school in Upper Tulpehocken
township.

ROBERTS,
JOHN D.

p. 916

Surnames: ROBERTS, MYERS, FOULK, DEISCHER, HOFFMAN, SCHULTZ,
YEAKEL, KASE, BATZ, SCHELL

John D. Roberts, a farmer of Washington township, where he has
served as supervisor since 1894, is a native of Hereford township,
Berks county, born July 3, 1861. He is a son of Everard Roberts,
grandson of John Roberts, and great-grandson of Everard Roberts,
who may have come to America with his son, though it is possible
that the latter emigrated alone when a young man, before his
marriage.

John Roberts, son of Everard and Sarah Roberts,
born Oct. 10, 1778, died Nov. 20, 1854, and is buried at
Quakertown, Bucks county. He came from England, and was a Quaker in
religious faith. He married Sarah Myers, daughter of Michael and
Elizabeth Myers, born April 20, 1777, died Aug. 15, 1855, and they
had a large family, born as follows: Elizabeth, in 1802; Anna, 1803
(died in 1881); Everard, 1805; Abigail, 1807; Hannah, 1809; Edward,
1810 (died in 1880); John, 1812 (died in 1870); Susan, 1813; Sarah,
1816; Lewis, 1818.

Everard Roberts, father of John D. Roberts, was
a native of Bucks county, Pa., born Nov. 11, 1805, near Quakertown.
He died Sept. 16, 1891, aged eighty-five years, ten months, five
days, and had never known sickness of any kind. He is buried at
Zionsville. Mr. Roberts was a farmer by calling. He married Deborah
Foulk, daughter of Hugh and Catherine Foulk, born Nov. 25, 1804,
died March 3, 1852, and by this union there were five children, as
follows: Joseph, born in 1834; Edwin, in 1838; Charles, 1842;
Deborah, 1844; and Everard, 1846. For his second wife Mr. Roberts
married Mary Deischer, daughter of Peter and Mary Deischer, born
Nov. 27, 1823, died June 20, 1898, aged seventy-four years, six
months, twenty-three days, and five children were also born to this
marriage: Sarah m. Daniel Hoffman; Amanda m. Samuel S. Schultz,
Esq., of Hereford township; James resides in Hereford township;
John D. is mentioned farther on; Allen is a resident of Illinois.

John D. Roberts attended the common schools in
the neighborhood of his home and was reared upon the farm,
continuing to work for his parents until he was twenty-one years
old. Then he and his brother, James H., began farming the old
Benjamin Yeakel homestead in Hereford township, continuing together
for five years, and having their parents with them. When at the end
of the five years they dissolved partnership, James H. went to Red
Hill in Montgomery county, and John D. and his wife remained one
year longer on the farm. In April, 1888, Mr. Roberts moved to the
tract upon which he has ever since resided, twenty-four acres
located three quarters of a mile north of Bally, and he follows
farming. He has made a number of improvements upon the place during
his ownership, has repaired the barn, and in the fall of 1908
remodeled the house, adding to the value of his property in many
ways. He has a cozy home, which he has acquired through his own
industry, and he is much respected wherever known. As supervisor
for many years he has become well known all over his home township.
Though a stanch Republican in a strong Democratic district he was
elected to that office in the spring of 1894 over William M. Kase,
Democrat, who had held the office for seventeen years continuously.
Throughout his long experience in that office he has performed his
duties faithfully, winning the confidence of his fellow-citizens to
an unusual degree.

Mr. Roberts married Sept. 29, 1885, Ida S. Batz,
daughter of William and Sarah (Schell) Batz, of Hereford township,
and they have had two children, Elwood and Mary A. Mrs. Roberts
worships at Huffs Church. Mr. Roberts is a member of Council No.
1019, Order of Independent Americans, which is located at Eshbach,
Berks county.

ROBERTS,
OWEN B.

p. 899

Surnames: ROBERTS, BARLET, BODY, BOWMAN, BANGHART, WEIDNER, TAYLOR,
OSWALD, GAMBLER

Owen B. Roberts, one of the best-known citizens of Blandon, Pa.,
was born in Maiden-creek township, May 9, 1854, son of Thomas and
Anna (Barlet) Roberts.

Thomas Roberts, grandfather of Owen B., was a
member of one of the earliest families of Exeter township, Berks
county, and was of Quaker extraction.

He married Catherine Body, and to them there
were born five children, as follows: Joseph, who died single in
1862; Elinor, born April 6, 1813, died unmarried May 25, 1885;
Elizabeth, who died unmarried in 1862; Sarah, who died young; and
Thomas.

Thomas Roberts, father of Owen B., was born Jan.
7, 1817, in Maiden-creek township, where he was a post fence-maker
practically all of his life, and where he died June 13, 1901. He
married Anna Barlet, born July 24, 1820, daughter of John and
Susannah (Bowman) Barlet; she died Sept. 22, 1889. They had two
children: Amos B. and Owen B. Amos B. Roberts, born Jan. 24, 1845,
died July 27, 1900. He was a surveyor by occupation. He married
Lizzie Banghart, born Feb. 2, 1844, who died in 1903, and they had
two children: Alice (died Aug. 12, 1870) and Sarah (m. James
Weidner, of Reading).

Owen B. Roberts was reared and educated in his
native locality, and after leaving the public school attended a
private institution taught by Prof. P. Y. Taylor, at Blandon. He
learned fence-making with his father, and for many years worked
with the gang. When twenty-one years of age he was chosen
committeeman by the Republican party, and at that time was the
youngest man on the county committee. He has remained active in the
ranks of his party, having served as notary, school director and
township assessor. Mr. Roberts is a surveyor and conveyancer by
occupation, and owns a farm, and much other valuable real estate,
which he manages himself.

On April 2, 1898, Mr. Roberts married Sarah A.
Oswald, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gambler) Oswald. Mr.
Roberts is a member of Camp No. 250, P. O. S. of A., at Blandon, of
which he was one of the founders; Rock Castle No. 80, K. G. E.; a
charter member of Blandon Lodge No. 1084, I. O. O. F.; Court
Blandon, No. 266, Foresters of America; Fleetwood Castle No. 153,
A. O. K. M. C., and Yuma tribe No. 438, I. O. R. M. In some
instances he also belongs to the insurance branch of these various
organizations. Mr. Roberts is one of his community’s representative
citizens, and justly merits the high esteem in which he is held by
his fellow townsmen.

RODGERS, JOSEPH F.

p. 1214

Surnames: RODGERS, FIX, GAY, BRICE, BYERLY, HOFFEDITZ, BAYARD,
GREGG, DUNKEL

Joseph F. Rodgers, an honored veteran of the Civil war, now living
retired in the city of Reading, Pa., was a member of Company L,
Firs Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry, and served until he was obliged
to give up a soldier’s life on account of injuries received.

Mr. Rodgers was born Aug. 10, 1838, at
Mooresburg, Montour Co., Pa., son of Joseph B. and Margaret (Fix)
Rodgers, and grandson of Matthew Rodgers, formerly a prominent
agriculturist of Millerstown, Pa., where he owned and operated a
farm until 1832. In that year he moved to Ohio, then considered to
be far West. In that State Matthew Rodgers died. His children were:
Obediah, John, Joseph B., Martha and Mary. In religious belief he
and his wife were Episcopalians, and he was a lay reader in that
body. It is not known that he held any office, but he was a stanch
Democrat in political principles.

Joseph B. Rodgers, father of Joseph F., was born
in 1810, in Millersburg, Dauphin Co., Pa., and was educated in the
subscription schools. He was a youth of intellect, and became
better educated than many of his comrades. In 1833 he learned the
cooper’s trade at Duncannon and then settled in that business at
Reading, where he was extensively engaged for a number of years.
His factory supplied barrels for mills and breweries all over the
neighborhood, and he employed a large number of hands. He died in
1861, and his wife in 1882, the latter being eighty-two years of
age. Their children were: Angeline C. m. William Gay, a mining
engineer; Mary R. m. William Brice, a merchant in Philadelphia; and
Joseph F. The parents were members of the Universalist Church. In
politics Mr. Rodgers was, like his father, a Democrat, and being a
man of standing in his community, was frequently urged to accept
office but invariably declined. He took much interest in the order
of Odd Fellows, and was a prominent member in that organization.

Joseph F. Rodgers accompanied his parents to
Reading in 1845, and was educated in the common schools of this
city. After leaving school he apprenticed himself to Daniel Byerly,
his half-brother, to learn the barber’s trade, and after completing
the same, opened a shop and continued in that business for a period
of fifty-four years, this being the longest period spent by any one
in one line of business in this city, and possibly in the state.

On July 30, 1861, Mr. Rodgers enlisted in
Company L, First Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry, under Capt. John C.
A. Hoffeditz and Col. George D. Bayard. The latter became a
brigadier general and was killed in action at the battle of
Fredericksburg. He was succeeded by Gen. David Mc. M. Gregg. Mr.
Rodgers continued in the service until the discharge of his
regiment, and participated in all of its experiences. Upon three
occasions he was slightly wounded and once his horse fell and
thereby he was seriously injured, sustaining a fracture of the hip
from which he never fully recovered.

After the close of his army service, Mr. Rodgers
returned to Reading and resumed work at his trade, in which he
continued until 1905, since which he has lived retired. He owns the
Rodgers Block, one of the best business properties in Reading.

In 1880 Mr. Rodgers married Miss Maria Dunkel,
daughter of Henry Dunkel. They have no children. In politics Mr.
Rodgers is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for
Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of the Union Veteran League, of
Pennsylvania. His long residence here has made him a very familiar
figure in the city, and he can recall the day when he knew every
one he met.

ROEHRICH,
JOHN

p. 666

Surnames: ROEHRICH, DOEMAN, LAUER, STOCKER, RAAB, TAYLOR, MAHONY,
BERTOLET, BAISCH

John Roehrich, engaged in the manufacture of artificial ice as
proprietor of a large cold storage plant at Third and Buttonwood
streets, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1851. In 1865 he
accompanied his parents, Christopher and Catharine (Doeman)
Roehrich, to America. The father was a paver by trade, and after
settling at Reading continued to work at it through his active
life. He died in 1881, at the age of seventy-two years. His widow
survived until 1890, dying at the age of eighty-one years. They had
four children, namely: Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine and John. In
religious belief they were Lutherans. The father was a naturalized
citizen of the United States, and was a zealous worker in the
Democratic party.

John Roehrich was educated mainly in his native
land and soon after coming to Reading was employed by Frederick
Lauer as an errand boy. Later he worked at the Felix brewery, the
same plant now owned by the Deppen Brewing Company, where he filled
the position of assistant brewer-master for upward of eight years.
In 1885 he formed a partnership with John Stocker, under the name
of Roehrich & stocker, for carrying on the brewing business at
Tremont, Pa., and they continued there until 1891, when they sold
the brewery and came to reading. Purchasing a tract of land on
North Eleventh street, opposite the Fair ground, they established a
brewery and carried it on successfully until 1897, when Mr.
Roehrich sold his interest to his partner. Subsequently he formed a
partnership with George J. Raab and they operated the old Keystone
Brewery under the name of Roehrich & Raab until 1902, when they
sold the plant to the Deppen Brewing Co., and in 1908 this was
reorganized with the following officers: President, John Roehrich;
vice president, William J. Roehrich; secretary, George J. Raab;
treasurer, James Taylor; and directors, James Mahony and Dr. John
M. Bertolet. That year they erected the brewery at Third and
Buttonwood streets, where thirty-nine men are employed.

After closing out his former business interests,
in 1902, Mr. Roehrich purchased a lot of ground (75 by 140 feet) on
Third near Buttonwood street in 1903, and built a cold storage and
ice plant, and equipped it with modern machinery, with a capacity
of fifty tons of ice per day.

In 1875 Mr. Roehrich was married to Catharine
Baisch, a native of Berks county, and they have three children,
viz.: William J., Frank C., and Harry Max. They are members of the
Lutheran Church. Mr. Roehrich is a self-made man. In his business
as well as his social relations he is held in the highest esteem.

ROHRBACH, HENRY H.

p.
1707

Surnames: ROHRBACH, HESS, STERNER, RAPP

Henry H. Rohrbach, secretary of the Berks County Sabbath School
Association in the district of Longswamp, District and Hereford
townships and the borough of Topton, was born in District township,
Berks county, April 28, 1881, son of James F. and Fianna (Hess)
Rohrbach.

James F. Rohrbach, his father, was born in Pike
township, this county, son of Benjamin Rohrbach, and is now engaged
in farming two miles northeast of Pikeville. He married Fianna
Hess, daughter of David R. and Lydia (Sterner) Hess, of District
township.

At the age of four years Henry H. Rohrbach
entered the public schools, and he continued as a student therein
until he was nineteen, for seven terms not missing a day. In 1901
he entered the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, and there
became a member of the Keystone Literary Society. In 1903 he was
licensed to teach by county superintendent E. M. Rapp, and since
then he has been engaged, in turn, at Frey’s school, District
township; Hertzog’s school, Rockland township; Mine Hole school,
Bern township; and Rohrbach’s school, District township. He resides
about one and one-half miles southeast of Fredericksburg, and has
taught the Sterner school near there. Besides his school work he is
agent for the Berks and Lehigh Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and
is the Fredericksville correspondent for the Eagle, Telegram, and
Herald of Reading; and the Journal and, Patriot, of Kutztown. He is
also crop reporter for District township for the Bureau of
Statistics, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.
C.

In 1896 Mr. Rohrbach became a member of Huff’s
Reformed Church, and a member of Sterner’s Union Sunday-school. His
first office was that of deacon of this school, after which he was
made assistant secretary under David S. Hess. For ten years he held
the office of secretary, and did much for the welfare of the
school. His appointment as secretary for the Berks County Sabbath
School Association in his district met with the approval of all in
the Association. His duty will be to gather statistics from each
school, and report to the corresponding secretary, and hold
conventions at different places in the district.

Fraternally Mr. Rohrbach is a member of Council
No. 1007, O. of I. A., of Landis Store.

ROHRBACH, JOHN F.

p. 1422

Surnames: ROHRBACH, DECK, STAUFFER, KAY, BROWN, HAAS

John F. Rohrbach, of Reading, Pa., is a native of Pike township,
Berks county, born Nov. 5, 1881, the youngest in a family of ten
children. He worked upon the home farm until he was nineteen years
old. His early intellectual training was obtained in the public
schools in his native township, which he attended until he left the
farm. In the fall of 1900 he came to Reading and entered the
Inter-State Commercial College. In order that he might pursue his
studies, he employed a man to take his place upon his mother’s
farm, his father having died when our subject had just passed his
sixteenth birthday. The money to pay this man who worked on the
farm and his own tuition as well, Mr. Rohrbach borrowed from his
good mother and paid it back on the installment plan of five and
ten dollars at a time, after he had finished school and gone to
work. He squared his account in 1905. On April 8, 1901, he
completed his business course with an average of 93 per cent. He
returned home and remained until the fall of that year when he
entered the Reading College of Shorthand and Typewriting, Elmer W.
Deck, principal. Here he completed his course in May, 1902. He
secured a position with Attorney A. K. Stauffer, as stenographer
and typewriter, but in a short time he was offered a more
remunerative position at Riddlesburg, Bedford county, Pa. This was
in a soft coal region and as he did not like the locality he left
for Philadelphia, where he secured a position with the Frankford
Iron Foundry Company, as book keeper. This corporation closed its
business in June 1903, and Mr. Rohrbach found employment with
Alexander, Mitchell & Co., iron manufacturers. They suspended
business in August, 1904. After attending the St. Louis Exposition,
Mr. Rohrbach returned to the home farm in Pike township, where he
remained until April, 1905, when he took a position as stenographer
with Charles F. Felin & Co., the largest retail lumber dealers
in Philadelphia. After being in the employ of the shipping
department, where he continued nearly two years, resigning to
accept a position as traveling salesman with Robert G. Kay,
wholesale lumber merchant. His territory includes Pennsylvania,
Maryland and New Jersey. He has established a most lucrative
business among retailers in these states and is said to be one of
the most successful men in his line in the East.

Mr. Rohrbach was married Oct. 1, 1908, to Sallie
H. Brown, daughter of Seth and Savannah (Haas) Brown of Reading,
but formerly of Pike township. Mr. Rohrbach is a member of the
Commercial Travelers Mutual Accident Association of Utica, N. Y. He
and his wife are Lutheran members of Hill Church, in Pike township.
In politics he is a Democrat.

Mr. Rohrbach owns the old home farm of 135
acres, in Pike township, which belonged to his grandfather,
Benjamin Rohrbach, then to his father, Lewis Y. Rohrbach, and he
himself is of the third generation to own it. He has the farm
rented. On this land is found a high grade of magnetic ore, which
is analyzed as follows: Silica — 0.30 Phosphorous pentoxid —
0.03 Sulphur trioxide — 0.85 Iron reposit — 78.65 Iron metallic
— 55.10 Titanium oxide — 13.80 This mine will be put in
operation in the fall of 1909.

ROHRBACH, LEWIS F.

p. 1187

Surnames: ROHRBACH, FREY, MOSER, FINKBOHNER, BECHTEL, WEIDNER,
REICHERT, GAIKER, KIEFFER, GERHART, SMITH, ROMICH, DE LONG, FOX,
BUSH, GANBY, WAREMKESSEL, BITTENBENDER, HUFF, MOYER, PAULI,
FREDERICK, FOX, SCHWEYER, MECK, RENNINGER, JOHNSON, SEISHOLTZ

Lewis F. Rohrbach, a well known school teacher residing in Pike
township, Berks county, was born in that township Feb. 2, 1873, son
of Lewis V. And Mary (Frey) Rohrbach.

The first Rohrbach of whom there is definite
record in America was John George, who was twice married. By his
first marriage he had a son Lawrence. To him and his second wife,
Christiana Moser, were born five children: George, John, Simon, Eva
and Christiana. Of these Simon is said to have moved to Catawissa;
George to have gone West; Eva m. Jacob Finkbohner, and after her
death he m. her sister Christiana. Those of the name now living in
Berks county are descendants of Lawrence and John.

Lawrence Rohrbach owned a farm in District
township, which after his death became the property of his son
Daniel. Daniel’s two sons, William and Samuel succeeded in the
ownership, and since 1873 it has been the property of William F.,
son of another Daniel. The farm consists of 120 acres, and the
present buildings were erected by Daniel, son of Lawrence. In 1790
Lawrence and John are recorded as heads of families in East
District township.

Lawrence Rohrbach had five sons, namely: Daniel,
George (who had eight children), Christopher (or Stophel) (who had
eleven children), Jacob and Henry.

Daniel Rohrbach, son of Lawrence, became the
father of nine children: Benjamin, Daniel, William, Ephraim, Amos,
Augustus, Samuel, Hettie and Kate.

Benjamin Rohrbach, son of Daniel, lived in
District township. He married and among his children was a son
Lewis Y.

Lewis Y. Rohrbach, son of Benjamin, was born on
the Rohrbach homestead in District township, July 6, 1835, and died
March 11, 1898. Early in life he learned the blacksmith’s trade,
and followed it about twenty years, after which he began farming on
the homestead, a tract of 135 acres, and continued there until his
death. He was a Democrat in politics, and served as township
auditor, and as school director, and was a highly respected
citizen. He and his family wee members of Hill Church, of which he
was deacon and elder. He married Mary Frey, of Pike township,
daughter of Jacob and Anna (Bechtel) Frey. She was born July 5,
1838, and died Feb. 24, 1906, and both she and her husband are
buried at Hill Church. Their children were: James, a farmer in Pike
township; Benjamin, who lives with his brother Greeley; Sarah, m.
to Ellis Weidner of Friedensburg; Jacob, a farmer in Pike township;
Lewis F.; John F., who resides in Reading; and Jairus, Caster and
Mary Ann, who all three died young.

Lewis F. Rohrbach obtained his early
intellectual training in the public schools of Pike township, and
at the Oley Academy. Later, in the spring of 1893, he entered the
Normal school at Kutztown, and from that institution he was
graduated with the class of 1898. Mr. Rohrbach began teaching in
Pike township in the fall of 1893, at Heilig’s school, where he
taught two successive terms. He taught the school terms of 1895 and
1896 at Hill Church, and the following year he remained at
Kutztown, completing his term. After his graduation he taught
Yoder’s school in his home township two terms, and then he taught
Lobachs school two and one-half months when his health failed and
he has not fully recovered to this time. His two lower limbs became
paralyzed, due the doctor claimed to gelsemium. Mr. Rohrbach
recovered sufficiently to enable him to teach school again,
beginning in the fall of 1902, and he has taught every term since.
He is an esteemed and successful teacher of his district. He has a
fine working library on pedagogy.

Mr. Rohrbach was married Jan. 23, 1897, to Miss
Rachel R. Bechtel, daughter of James D. and Emma (Reichert)
Bechtel, the former a substantial citizen of Pike township. To this
union have been born three sons, namely: Jonathan B., Morris B.,
and Claud B. Mr. And Mrs. Rohrbach are Lutheran members of Hill
Church, and since 1908 he has been Superintendent of Lobachsville
Sunday-school. Mr. Rohrbach is a Democrat, and served the township
as tax collector three years, and in different ways has rendered
his community efficient service. The family live near Pikeville on
their own fifty-five-acre farm, a tract of good land.

John Rohrbach, son of the emigrant ancestor, John George, lived on
the farm of 130 acres in District township, now owned by one David
Rohrbach, a farmer. The present owner David obtained it from his
father John, who had it from his father George, son of John, son of
the emigrant John George. The two original Rohrbach farms have
never been out of the family name. John Rohrbach, son of John
George, was born July 14, 1747. He married Gertrude Gaiker, and
they had six children, as follows: (1) John, born in 1776, owned
the farm in District township, now owned by Peter Smith. He m. a
Kieffer, and had four children: George, John, Mrs. Jacob Gerhart
and Lizzie (m. to Peter Smith). (2) Samuel, born in 1778, lived in
Longswamp township. He was very rich and carried his gold and
silver in a bushel basket. He m. a Miss Kieffer, and had seven
children: George, Judith (m. Charles Fox), Mrs. John Romich, Mrs.
Benjamin De Long, Mrs. William Bush, Mrs. Ganby, Mrs. Aaron
Waremkessel. (3) George, born in 1782, was a blacksmith and owned
the homestead. He married Kate, daughter of Jacob Bittenbender, and
they had children Catharine (m. John Huff), Polly (m. John
Bechtel), Susanna (m. Israel Moyer), George and John. (4) Daniel .
(5) William, born 1786, lived on a small farm in District township.
He married and had one daughter Hettie (Esther), m. to John Pauli.
(6) Solomon, born in 1788, was a farmer in Longswamp township. He
had four children: Horatio, Sallie (died unmarried), Harriet (m.
Isaiah Reichart) and Mrs. George Frederick.

Daniel Rohrbach, son of John, was born in 1784.
He was a blacksmith by trade, and lived on a farm adjoining the
homestead. He married Catharine (Kate) Smith, and they are both
buried at Huff’s Church, of which they were Lutheran members. Their
children were: Daniel, Sallie, Judith, Anna, Lydia and Kate.

Daniel Rohrbach, son of Daniel, was born in
District township. He was a successful farmer, and owned a 106-acre
farm, which included Solomon Rohrbach’s farm of some fifty acres.
He was a Democrat, as are the members of the family generally. He
married Matilda Fox, born in Rockland township, daughter of Ernst
Fox. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rohrbach are buried at Huff’s Church of
which they were Lutheran members. Their children were: Benneville,
who received t the homestead; William F.; Daniel F.; and Susanna,
m. to Joseph Schweyer.

William F. Rohrbach, son of Daniel, was born in
District township, Oct. 14, 1847. He received his education in the
old pay schools, his tuition being three and a half cents per day,
but some of this he earned by building the fire. He attended until
he was fifteen or sixteen years old. His early training had been to
farming, and at the age of twenty-four he began on his grandfather
Daniel’s farm, remaining one year. He then bought the Lawrence
Rohrbach farm of 120 acres from William and Samuel Rohrbach, paying
$7,200. This he formed six years, and still owns it. He had a
tenant on it for twenty years, one Charles Meck, who cleared
$7,000, and then bought his own farm. In 1876 Mr. Rohrbach moved to
the farm in Forge Dale, Washington township, where he now lives,
containing thirty acres, and this he cultivates for exercise.

He owns a farm of seventy acres in Hereford
township, which he rents. He had a fifty-acre tract in District,
but this he sold in 1905. Mr. Rohrbach and Charles Y. Renninger, a
brother-in-law have a farm of 133 acres in partnership in Earl
township, valued at $9,500.

Mr. Rohrbach is one of the heavy tax payers of
the district. He is a Democrat, and has been school director of
Washington township since 1901. He takes great interest in the
cause of education. He and family are members of Huffs Church, and
he has been an elder for some years. He was married in 1869 to
Amanda Renninger, daughter of Charles Y. Renninger, of Montgomery
county. They have two children: (1) Prof. David R., a graduate in
the class of 1897, Kutztown Normal school, is also a graduate of
the Scientific College and attended Lafayette College, and
University of Pennsylvania. He taught public school in Berks county
four years, and since 1905 has been principal of the public schools
of Williamstown, N. J. He m. Alice Johnson, of Elmer, N. J., and
has a daughter, Nora. (2) Miss Alice, a graduate of the Kutztown
Normal school, class of 1901, has taught at Reber’s school-house in
Washington township for seven terms.

Daniel F. Rohrbach, son of Daniel and brother of
William F., was born in District township, Jan 20, 1858, and is a
farmer in Forge Dale, Washington township. He attended the public
school in district township till he was seventeen years old, and
was reared upon the farm, working for his parents until he was
twenty years old. He then began farming a fifty-eight acre tract in
District township, which he obtained from his father, and remained
there twenty-seven years. In the spring of 1907, he moved up on his
117-acre farm in Washington township, where he now lives. This was
the Rush farm for ninety years, and has good buildings, all in good
condition.

In politics Mr. Rohrbach is a Democrat, and was
school director of District township three years. He and his family
are Lutheran members of Huffs Church, of which they are regular
attendants. He was married in 1880 to Massie Ann Rohrbach, daughter
of Aaron and Maria (Seisholtz) Rohrbach, and granddaughter of
George Rohrbach, of Longswamp township where her father now lives.
Their children were Aaron H., a school teacher of Washington
township; George and Samuel, who both died young; Mary Ann; Corinda
Ann; Hettie; Clinton E.; Lizzie V.; Daniel L.; and Maria Anna.