Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

ROTE, JOHN
F.

p. 961

Surnames: ROTE, McKESSON, KEISTER, PEMBERTON, SCHULTZ, SHAW,
FISHER, REISINGER, STOECKEL, BEEARS, BEARD

John F. Rote, a well-known hotel man of Reading, Pa., whose
hostelry and restaurant were located at Nos. 15-19 South Sixth
street, died Nov. 7, 1907. He was born in Center county, at Brush
Valley near the line of Clinton, Sept. 27, 1833, son of Paul and
Mary (McKesson) Rote, the former of German descent and the latter
of Scotch.

George Rote, the emigrant ancestor of the Rotes,
was a farmer during the early days when the unsettled conditions of
the country made it necessary for the sturdy pioneers to take their
fire arms to the field with them. One of his daughters was captured
by Indians while on her way to milk the cows, but was soon
thereafter rescued.

John F. Rote, son of George, settled in Clinton
county, Pa., where he owned valuable farms and carried on
agricultural pursuits as long as he lived. He married a Miss
Keister, and to them were born children as follows: Henry, George,
Abraham, Griffith, Simon, Paul, Peter, Elizabeth and Peggy. In
religious belief they were Lutherans.

Paul Rote, son of John F., was a farmer in Sugar
Valley for many years, but later emigrated to Illinois, thence to
Douglas county, Kans., near Lawrence, being there at the time of
Quantrell’s raid. He purchased 160 acres of land, and there
continued to farm all of his life, also owning several residential
properties in Lawrence. He died in 1878, aged seventy years, while
his wife passed away in 1893, when eighty-three years old. They
were the parents of ten children, as follows: William C., John F.,
Samuel, Paul, Thomas, Rebecca J., Mary C., Alexander, Elizabeth and
Lewis. In religious belief they were members of the Evangelical
Church. In politics Mr. Rote was a Democrat.

John F. Rote received his early education in the
schools of Clinton county, Pa., and worked on a farm in Sugar
Valley for his father. At the age of nineteen years he went to
Hickory Bottom, Blair county, and taught school during the
following winter, later going to Clearfield county. In the spring
of 1854, he embarked in the lumber business, at Shawsville, seven
miles below Clearfield on the Susquehanna river, rafting lumber
down the river, and the following winter he taught school in Goshen
township, Clearfield county. The next spring he engaged in the
lumber and sawmill business, rafting the lumber from Clearfield to
Marietta, Lancaster Co., Pa., and this he continued until 1865,
when he became engaged in the carriage manufacturing business at
Clearfield. In 1868 he sold out this business and went to Lawrence,
Kans., where for some years he was engaged in the live stock and
insurance business with his brother, William C., and his
brother-in-law, Howard Pemberton, remaining there until 1870, when
he returned East and located in Reading. He engaged in the
restaurant business, opening the old Delmonico restaurant on Fifth
and Cherry streets, but shortly afterward removed to No. 19, and
still later to No. 13, Eighth street. In 1887 he purchased the
property known as the old “Ream Hotel” on Penn street, between
Eighth and Ninth, where John Schultz’s tailor shop is now located.
He tore down the old building and erected a new, but this he sold
in the spring of 1890, at which time he opened his late business on
South Sixth street (which is now conducted by his son Everett C.
Rote), where he was engaged with much success until his death.

Mr. Rote was married in May, 1859, to Christina
Y. Shaw, daughter of Archibald and Rebecca Shaw, of Shawsville, and
to this union was born one child: Everett C., who married Sallie E.
Fisher, by whom he had these children ? Elsie C., a graduate of the
Girls’ High School and a teacher in the public schools; Rebecca,
also a graduate of the high school and now superintendent of her
father’s business; and Esther. Mrs. John F. Rote died in November,
1861, and Mr. Rote married (second) in December, 1864, Sarah A.
Reisinger, daughter of Isaac and Jane Reisinger, of Marietta,
Lancaster county, and she died Dec. 4, 1905. To this marriage were
born two daughters, Jennie M. and Laura M. Jennie M. m. Edward A.
Stoeckel, in the United States government employ, and has two
children ? Robert R. (m. to Miss Mabel Beears, and has a son, John
F. R.) and Rhea; Laura M. m. Harry W. Beard, in the city engineer’s
office, Reading, and has three children ? John, Bessie and
Catherine.

Mr. John Rote was a member of Chandler Lodge,
No. 227, Excelsior Chapter, No. 237, and Reading Commandery, No.
42, K. T. He formerly belonged to Clearfield Lodge No. 198, I. O.
O. F., which he joined in 1865. He was a Democrat in politics, and
was a member of the council from the Eighth ward for two terms,
1880 and 1882. While in Clearfield he was a member of the school
board, and during the Civil war belonged to the Clearfield Rifles.
He was an inventor of no mean ability and secured patents on
several very useful articles, among them Rote’s Vegetable Grater
and Slicer, which had a very good sale; an egg beater; and an ice
cream freezer.

ROTH,
ALBERT

p. 1442

Surnames: ROTH, REESER, SPAYD

Albert Roth, school director and farmer of Bern township, Berks
Co., Pa., was born Dec. 2, 1867. He attended the township schools,
was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has made that vocation his
lifework. He owns a good farm of fifty acres in Bern township, and
this is kept in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Roth attends the
Reading market once a week. For several years he was employed in
the car shops at Reading. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Roth was
elected a school director of Bern township on that ticket in 1908.
In religion he is a member of Epler’s Reformed Church, in which he
has served as deacon; and fraternally he is a member of Castle No.
503, Knights of the Golden Eagle, of Leesport.

In 1887 Mr. Roth married Kate Reeser, daughter
of Levi Reeser (mentioned elsewhere), and they had one daughter,
Edna, who m. Peter Spayd and is the mother of one son, Norman.

ROTH, JOHN
C.

p. 1485

Surnames: ROTH, CROUSE, RHOADES, REDDICK, MCNALLY, MECKLEY, KRICK,
ELSE, GOTTSCHALL, KOSER, STRIPE, HOMAN

John C. Roth, of Muhlenberg township, was born Oct. 15, 1848, at
Lincoln, Lancaster Co., Pa., son of Jacob and Hannah (Crouse) Roth.

The grandfather of John C. Roth was Daniel
Rhoades, (the form of the name which he used). By his wife, Mary,
he had three children: Harry m. a Miss Reddick; Jacob; and Louisa
m. a Mr. McNally of Canada. Jacob Roth of this family was a cabinet
maker by trade and until his death followed that line in connection
with the undertaking business. He was married to Hannah Crouse, and
to them the following children were born: Daniel, a carpenter and
builder, who is now manager of the Northeastern Planing Mill,
Reading, m. Frances Meckley, and they have two children, Mamie and
Bessie; Henry m. Eva Krick, has one child, Herbert, and resides at
Reamstown, Lancaster county, where he operates a small farm:
William died when about seventeen years old; Adam died when about
sixteen: John C; Linnie m. Wilson Else, and resides in Reading:
Lemon died single at Canton, Ohio, Mary m. Adam Gottschall, resides
in Reading and has one child, Harry: and Sallie m. Emanuel Koser
and died without issue.

John C. Roth was educated in the schools of his
native district, and his father having died when he was about eight
years old, he was put at the shoemaker trade by his guardian, and
followed that business for some time. He was in business on his own
account for a short period at Fairview, Ohio, then removed west to
Kansas, where he worked on a farm, and subsequently returned to
Pennsylvania, where for six years he was engaged in the sand
business at Reading. At the end of this time, Mr. Roth purchased
his present fine farm, on which he is making a specialty of fruit
raising. He has planted between 400 and 500 apple trees, about 600
or 700 peach trees and sixty pear trees, in addition to plums,
grapes, etc., and many of these are already bearing and bringing in
handsome profits. Mr. Roth is acknowledged to be one of the good,
practical fruit growers of this section of Berks county, and as a
citizen he stands deservedly high. He is a Democrat in politics,
and with his family attends the Ninth and Greenwich Street Reformed
Church, Reading.

In February 1882, Mr. Roth was married to Mary
Stripe, daughter of George and Elizabeth Stripe, and the following
children were born to this union: Clarence, a resident of Doniphan
county, Kansas; Frank, who is single and resides at home: Frances,
who married Irvin Homan, an employee at the Carpenter Steel Works,
resides in Muhlenberg township and has one child, LeRoy: George:
Elsie: Annie: Minnie: Daniel: John, deceased: and Pearl.

ROTHENBERGER, DANIEL
A.

p. 1495

Surnames: ROTHENBERGER, ANGSTADT, BAER, LUTZ, FREYBERGER, REINERT,
HARING, FALKENSTEIN, CLAUSER

Daniel A. Rothenberger, who is engaged in trucking near
Friedensburg, Berks county, has also been very successful as a
teacher. He was born in Ruscombmanor township, at Basket, Feb. 11,
1858, and was reared to farming. At the age of sixteen he went to
learn the carpenter’s trade under his grandfather, Daniel Angstadt,
and this trade he followed eight seasons. His early education had
been obtained n the township schools and at Oley Academy, and in
1876 he was licensed to teach by Prof. Samuel A. Baer. He taught
his first four terms in Alsace township, and since then has taught
in Oley, having taught in all thirty-two terms, and having a high
place in the educational world of Berks county.

In politics Mr. Rothenberger is a firm believer
in Democratic principles, and has been active in his party’s
welfare. He has been committeeman from Oley township, and assistant
assessor, and has also served as delegate to county and State
conventions. In 1906 he was a candidate for the State Legislature,
and made a very creditable run. From the time he was twelve
years old he has been connected with the Lutheran Sunday-school,
and has been teacher and superintendent. He is a member of
Minnehaha Lodge, No. 154, K. P.; Oley Castle, No. 119, K. G. E.;
and Council No. 123, O. U. A. M., of Oley.

In 1882 Mr. Rothenberger married Clara Lutz,
daughter of John and Mary (Freyberger) Lutz, of Exeter township.
Twelve children have been born of this union: Mary m. Wilson
Reinert; John C. M. Lilah M. Haring; Sophia; Sallie m. Peter
Angstadt; George; Charles; Daniel died in infancy; Sylvester; Roy;
Clara; Leon; Catharine.

John C. Rothenberger, son of Daniel A., was born
in Oley township Aug. 28, 1884, and is now engaged as a merchant in
Griesemersville. He was reared upon the farm and attended the
public schools and Oley Academy, later going to State College and
taking a special course in dairying. He then assisted for a short
time in the New Jerusalem Creamery, and in1904 came to
Griesemersville, conducting thee the creamery for M. B. Clauser.

On May 1, 1908, he took charge of the store at
Griesemersville, purchasing the good-will, stock and fixtures for
Mr. Clauser, and he has a fine country trade.

On April 25, 1908, Mr. Rothenberger married
Lilah M. Haring, daughter of James and Sophia (Falkenstein) Haring,
of Oley township, and a daughter, Ethel Marguerite H., was born to
them Jan. 11, 1909. In fraternal societies Mr. Rothenberger has
taken an active interest, belonging to Oley Castle, No. 119, K. G.
E.; the Red Men at Friedensburg; and the Lodge No. 1109, I. O. O.
F., at Griesemersville, in which he is past grand. He is a member
of Friedens Lutheran Church. On May 1, 1908, he was made assistant
postmaster at Griesemersville.

ROTHENBERGER FAMILY

p. 934

Surnames: ROTHENBERGER, ROSENBERGER/RODENBERGER SAYLOR, FISHER,
HOMAN, BERNHART, HARTMAN, GERHART, FOX, MILLER, WEIDMAN, ROTHERMEL,
KELCHNER, STOUDT, RICKENBACH, ROTH, SCHMEHL

Rothenberger. The Rothenberger family of Berks county can lay claim
to being one of the oldest families in this section of
Pennsylvania, and members thereof are found in nearly every
township in the county, representing the various professions and
prominent in business, social and public life.

There were four of the Rothenbergers who came to
this country in the pioneer days, cousins, two brothers on each
side. One of them settled with his cousin at Spring Valley, in
Muhlenberg township, Berks county, and the other two settled at the
Leize’s bridge, in that township. According to the records, As
early as 1738, Hans Peter Rosenberger arrived in the ship “Nancy
and Friendship,” from the Palatinate, and on Sept. 3, of the
following year, Nicklas Rodenberger, who (although it is not
definitely known) is supposed to have been the originator of the
branch of the Rothenberger family with which this biography deals,
arrived in the ship “Royal Judith,” Edward Painter, commander, from
Rotterdam, last from Deal. There was also a Johannes Rothenberger,
who came Oct. 22, 1754, in the ship “Henrietta,” John Ross,
captain. Since he spelled his name in the same manner that it is
spelled today, it is not at all improbable that he may have been
the progenitor of the family. The three emigrants came respectively
from Franconia, Wurtemberg and Hesse. There is no doubt as to the
authenticity, however, of the following history.

Frederick Rothenberger, the great-grandfather of
Clayton M. and Frank M. Rothenberger of Maiden-creek township, was
born Nov. 25, 1771, and died Dec. 5, 1833. He married Catherine
Saylor, and they had seven children: Samuel; Daniel; Polly (Mary),
who remained single; Sarah, who married John Fisher; Elizabeth, who
married a Homan; Rebecca, who married Daniel Bernhart; and Judith,
who married John Hartman.

Daniel Rothenberger, son of Frederick, was born
Nov. 26, 1801, and died Dec. 5, 1890. He married Elizabeth Gerhart,
and they had the following children: Frank; Obediah; Frederic;
Jacob; Levi; Daniel; Urias; Catherine, who married William Fisher;
Leah, who married Benneville Fox; Elizabeth, who married Henry
Fisher; and Mary, who married Mabery Hartman.

Frank Rothenberger, father of Clayton M. and
Frank M., was born in Alsace township Sept. 3, 1830. He was married
Nov. 11, 1854, to Catherine Miller, daughter of Isaac and Magdalena
(Weidman) Miller, born Nov. 16, 1834. By this union there were
twelve children, as follows: Mary, born Sept. 11, 1855, who married
A. G. Rothermel; Urias, born July 31, 1857; one that died in
infancy, born June 2, 1859; Owen, born Aug. 5, 1860, who died March
15, 1863; Milton, born June 8, 1862; Daniel, born March 24, 1864;
Isaac, born Aug. 22, 1866; Sallie, born Dec. 20, 1868, who married
J. J. Kelchner; Clayton M. and Frank M.; Morris, born July 10,
1875; and Catherine, born April 16, 1877, who married John K.
Stoudt. The father of these children died Jan. 30, 1907, aged
seventy-six years, four months, twenty-seven days.

Clayton M. Rothenberger was born June 20, 1871,
in Ontelaunee township, on the old family homestead near Leesport,
and received his education in that locality. Until thirty-three
years of age he worked on the home farm, but in the spring of 1906
he formed a partnership with his brother Frank, and they are now
engaged in a successful general merchandise business at Blandon. On
Sept. 26, 1896, Mr. Rothenberger was married to Lizzie A.
Rickenbach, daughter of Edward and Ellen (Roth) Rickenbach, and a
descendant of one of Berks county’s oldest and most honored
families, and one child was born to this union: Elwood, born Dec.
15, 1897, on the old Rickenbach homestead in Ontelaunee township,
who now attends the grammar school at Blandon. Mr. Rothenberger is
a member of Blandon Lodge, No. 1084, I. O. O. F.; Leesport Camp, No
165, P. O. S. of A., and Leesport Castle No. 503, K. G. E. The
family are members of Gernant’s Church, Mrs. Rothenberger being of
the Lutheran and her husband of the Reformed faith, and he at
present is serving as deacon of the church, taking much interest in
church and charitable work.

Frank M. Rothenberger was born July 4, 1873, on
the old homestead in Ontelaunee township, was reared on the farm,
and for a time was in the employ of the New York Silk Company at
Fleetwood, Berks county. Later he clerked in the general store of
A. G. Rothermel & Co., in the building where he is now located,
and subsequently entered the employ of the Prudential Life
Insurance Company, after leaving which he became a carpenter in the
Reading shops of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company.
Mr. Rothenberger then formed a partnership with his brother Isaac,
at Wernersville, under the firm name of I. M. Rothenberger &
Brother, general merchandise dealers, which continued until the
spring of 1906, at which time the partnership with his brother
Clayton was formed, the business being known as Rothenberger &
Brother.

On Nov. 29, 1900, Mr. Rothenberger was married
to Sallie S. Miller, daughter of Peter and Amanda (Schmehl) Miller,
and a descendant of an old and highly respected family of Berks
county, and four children have been born to this union, namely:
Ralph M., born May 31, 1902, at Reading; a daughter, born April 22,
1903, at Wernersville, who died the same day; Paul P., born Oct.
16, 1904, at Wernersville; and Earl Edward, born Dec. 2, 1907, at
Blandon. Mr. Rothenberger and his family are members of the
Reformed denomination, and attend Gernant’s Church. Fraternally he
is connected with Camp No. 165, P. O. S. of A., and Blandon Lodge,
No. 1084, I O. O. F.

Both of the Rothenberger brothers are men of
much business ability, and they have built up a large and lucrative
patronage. They carry a full line of first-class general
merchandise, and their ability to judge the needs of their
community, as well as their well-known business integrity, has
aided much in making their establishment so popular in Blandon and
the surrounding country. The post-office is located in their place
of business, Frank being assistant postmaster and Clayton rural
free delivery carrier. They are worthy representatives of this old
and honored family.

ROTHENBERGER
FAMILY

p. 669

Surnames: ROTHENBERGER, RODENBERGER, KUHN, BAUM, SHALTER,
SCHNEIDER, KLOHS, BICKEL, HERB, KAUFFMAN, MOSER, SHEARER, DAUBERT,
ANGSTADT, MOORE, DREXEL, SEHL, BRUNNER, BROWN, LUDWIG

The Rothenberger family has lived in Berks county for 150 and more
years, and is worthily represented in the present generation by
George W. Rothenberger, born in Reading, April 13, 1871, son of the
late Cornelius K. Rothenberger.

The ancestor of this family was Peter
Rothenberger, who was a Swiss. He came to America on the ship
“Brotherhood,” which landed at Philadelphia, Nov. 3, 1750. Soon
after coming to this country he settled in Alsace township, this
county, where he died late in 1772. His executors were Jacob Kuhn
and Henry Baum. He had a son Peter (See below) and a daughter Mary.
In 1783, petitions were presented to the Orphans Court praying that
guardians be appointed for them – stating that they were under
fourteen years of age.

(I) Peter Rothenberger, great-great-grandfather of George W., of
Reading, was a resident of Alsace township at an early date. He was
born March 24, 1769, and died in Alsace, Jan. 4, 1825, aged
fifty-five years, nine months, ten days. He married Rebecca
Shalter, born Sept. 1, 1773, and died Nov. 28, 1847. The federal
census report of 1790 records Peter Rodenberger, a resident of
Alsace township, Berks county, as having six sons, and two
daughters, the children all under sixteen years of age. Both Peter
Rothenberger and wife are buried at Alsace Church. One of their
sons was Peter.

(II) Peter Rothenberger, son of Peter and Rebecca, was born in
Alsace township, Berks county, Feb. 22, 1795, and died Nov. 14,
1871. His wife, Maria Schneider, was born Oct. 11, 1798, and died
Dec. 17, 1870. Mr. Rothenberger was a farmer, and in early life
lived in Alsace and later in Centre township. He and wife were
members of the Reformed Congregation of the Alsace Church, where
they are buried. Their children were: Peter; Hannah married John
Klohs; Polly married Elias Bickel; Molly married Benjamin Herb; and
John S.

(III) John S. Rothenberger, son of Peter, was a native of Centre
township, born March 5, 1821, died Dec. 29, 1872. He carried on the
old homestead farm until 1853, when he removed to Leisz’s Bridge,
and in company with his father purchased a farm for $14,000, on
which he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Rothenberger was
married (first) in 1840, to Mary Ann Kauffman (born Sept. 10, 1818,
died March 23, 1864), by whom he had eleven children: Cyrus W.;
William K.; John K.; Peter K.; Levi K.; Cornelius K,; Milton K. and
Albert K., both deceased; Mary K., m. to Wellington Moser; Deborah
K., m. to Edward Shearer; and Thomas K., of San Francisco. The
second marriage of Mr. Rothenberger was in 1864, to Matilda
(Kauffman) Daubert, a widow, and sister to his first wife. To their
union there were born seven children: James, of Temple; Harry, who
went West; Morris, deceased; Kate (Catherine), m. to Elmer
Angstadt; Rosa, m. to Edward Moore, of California; George, of
Reading; and Sallie, deceased. In religious belief Mr. Rothenberger
was Reformed, while both of his wives were connected with the
Lutheran Church. In political matters he was a Democrat.

(IV) Cornelius K. Rothenberger, son of John S., was born in Penn
township, Berks county, June 25, 1847, and was reared upon his
father’s farm, working there until he attained his majority. He
then engaged in the brick manufacturing business at Birdsboro, and
in 1878 became the proprietor of the “Riverside Hotel” which he
conducted eight years. In 1880, he again engaged in the brick
manufacturing business, in North Reading, and he also followed
contracting and house building very profitably until 1895. In 1894
Mr. Rothenberger engaged in the grocery business, at Riverside,
following this ten years, at the end of that time his son-in-law,
Wilson E. Moser, becoming his partner under the firm name of Moser
& Rothenberger. This firm lasted two years, when the
partnership was dissolved. Mr. Rothenberger then lived retired
until Feb. 1, 1908, when he again engaged in the grocery business.
He was a fine business man. He was accidentally killed Jan. 18,
1909, by a train at the crossing of Seventh and Penn streets,
Reading, and is buried at Charles Evans Cemetery; the three
preceding generations are buried at Alsace Cemetery. Mr.
Rothenberger was a member of the Heptasophs; Washington Camp, No.
691, P. O. S. of A. With his family he belonged to Olivet Reformed
Church, Reading, of which for some years he was a trustee. In
politics he was a Democrat. In June, 1870, he married Rosa Drexel,
daughter of John Drexel, of West Reading. She was born in April,
1844, and died Dec. 27, 1902, the mother of five children: George
W., born April 13, 1871; Bertha, m. to Wilson E. Moser, of
Riverside; John, who died aged two years; Mary, m. to Stephen Sehl,
of Reading; and William, a dyer at Reading. Mr. Rothenberger owned
a farm of fifty-six acres in Exeter township, and the buildings at
Nos. 35 and 37 Exeter street, and three lots at Exeter and Front
streets.

(V) George W. Rothenberger received his education in the city
schools, and in Prof. D. B. Brunner’s Academy and Business College
at Reading. At the age of eighteen he learned the tailor’s trade in
that city, and this has ever since been his occupation. When but
twenty-two he engaged in business for himself, and soon built up a
lucrative business. He is practical, and he understands his
business thoroughly. He employs from six to twelve men. Mr.
Rothenberger is the owner of the three-story brick residence, No.
906 Penn street, with a frontage of 19 1/2 feet and in depth 120
feet, having purchased this April 2, 1900. In March, 1909, Mr.
Rothenberger purchased a private residence at No. 1524 Perkiomen
avenue, where he has resided since April 1st.

Mr. Rothenberger was married Sept. 14, 1899, to
Anna M. Brown, daughter of the late Albert and Emily (Ludwig)
Brown, of Reading, and they have had three children, one of whom,
the first, died in infancy. The others are Thomas B. and John F.
Mr. Rothenberger belongs to the Second Reformed Church and his wife
belongs to Trinity Lutheran Church. He is fraternally connected
with the Mystic Star Commandery, No. 47, Knights of Malta;
Progressive Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Penn Wheelmen.

ROTHENBERGER FAMILY

p. 1373

Surnames: ROTHENBERGER, TEETER, YEAKEL, SNYDER, MENSCH, MARSTELLER,
STAHLER, KROMMIS, MOHLER, HELFRICH, GREGORY, BUCK, REINHART

Rothenberger. The branch of the Rothenberger family to which Daniel
and Lewis Rothenberger, brothers of Hereford township, Berks
county, belong is traced back to one John Nicholas Rothenberger,
who emigrated from the German Fatherland to America about 1741. He
located in that part of Northampton county now included in Lehigh
county, and not much later bought land there. In 1734 the
proprietors of the Province of Pennsylvania sold a tract of 150
acres, located in Upper Milford township, Northampton (now Lehigh)
county, to John Teeter, who on April 21, w, sold it to John
Nicholas “Rothenburger” (also “Rodenburger”). On April 30, 1776, he
and his wife, Maria Catharine, sold this tract to their son, Jacob,
and as the name is signed Rothenberger in the deed setting forth
this transfer that spelling is regarded as correct.

The property mentioned, through various changes
in ownership, remained in the Rothenberger family until 1872. On
May 13, 1830, Jacob Rothenberger, whose wife was then deceased,
sold it to his son George for $1,800 lawful money. After the death
of George Rothenberger it was old to his son Daniel, in 1858, and
he sold it to William Rothenberger, who owned it until his death,
in 1872, when it was disposed of at public sale to Daniel Yeakel,
from whom it passed to Albert Snyder, who now owns and lives upon
the place. It is in the vicinity of Sigmund, Lehigh county, near
where Sigmund Furnace was located.

Jacob Rothenberger had four sons: George, who is
mentioned later; John, who had a son Charles; Peter, who was the
father of Ephraim and Daniel; and Jacob, who had Daniel, Ephraim
and Willoughby. Three of these sons lived in Upper Milford
township, Lehigh county, and belonged to the old Zionsville church.
Jacob located in Indiana in 1858, moving out in the big covered
Conestoga wagons.

George Rothenberger, son of Jacob, was born at
the homestead at Sigmund, and died in 1857-58, when about seventy
years old. He is buried at Old Zionsville. He was a farmer by
occupation. His wife, Sallie (Mensch), died in 1873, the mother of
eleven children, namely: Rachel, Dinah, Lavina, Susanna, Daniel,
Reuben, David, George, Christian, William and Samuel.

Daniel Rothenberger, son of George, was born May
8, 1808, at the old homestead in Upper Milford township, Lehigh
county, and died May 10, 1865, at the place in Hereford township,
Berks county, where his sons, Daniel and Lewis now live. He is
buried at Zionsville, where he was a member of the Reformed Church.
He followed farming, owning a tract of forty acres, upon which he
built the present dwelling in 1860, and in winter engaged in cigar
making. Being a progressive man, he was interested in education,
and served as school trustee under the old pay system. In politics
he was a Democrat.

Mr. Rothenberger’s first marriage was to Sallie
Marsteller, who was born about 1814, daughter of Peter Marsteller,
of Hereford township, and died in 1847. She was the mother of six
children, three sons and three daughters, viz.: Joel, Daniel,
Lewis, Catharine, Sallie and Amanda, the two last named dying in
infancy. Mr. Rothenberger’s second marriage was to Lydia Stahler,
who died in 1888. To them were born two children, both of whom died
when young.

Joel Rothenberger is a native of Hereford
township, where all of Daniel Rothenberger’s children were born. He
began housekeeping there, but has long lived in Clinton county,
Ind., where he followed farming until his retirement. He is now
(1909) in his seventy-third year. He has been twice married, and by
his first union, with Maria Krommis, had four children, William,
Daniel, Sarah and Flora. By his second wife, Lydia Mohler, he had
two, Lydia and Perry.

Daniel Rothenberger, son of Daniel, was born
July 12, 1838, in Hereford township, and there attended Traub
school, No. 7, receiving all his education in the public schools.
He was reared to farming, but for twelve years he and his brother
Lewis engaged in lime-burning, doing a large business. They had
their kilns at Sigmund, conducting the plant now operated by Daniel
Yeakel, and burning considerable lime for building purposes as well
as for farmers. In one year they burned over 28,000 bushels, and
they employed as many as ten men, and kept two teams busy all the
time. In 1866 the brothers took their father’s homestead, where
they have ever since resided, their families occupying the same
house. Both tried life in the West for a short time, Daniel
Rothenberger going to Indiana in the fall of 1860 with his uncle,
George Rothenberger, and his brother Joel, who had gone out
previously. He remained for two years, and in 1863 went out for
another year.

On April 4, 1868, Mr. Rothenberger married
Rebecca Helfrich, and they have had five children: Emma C., Sallie
A. (who married George R. Gregory, of Reading), Charles W., Daniel
H. and Cassilia R. Mr. and Mrs. Rothenberger are Reformed members
of Zion’s Church. He is identified with the Democratic party in
politics, and is well known throughout the township, where he has
served five years as treasurer and seven years as school director.

Mrs. Rothenberger is a daughter of Daniel and
Margaret (Buck) Helfrich, of Weisenburg township, Lehigh Co., Pa.,
and a granddaughter of Rev. Johannes Heinrich Helfrich, who began
his labors as pastor of Ziegel’s Church, in Lehigh county, in 1778.
His death occurring in 1810, his son, Rev. Johannes Helfrich, was
elected to succeed him, and served this and other congregations for
a period of thirty-five years. In 1852 Rev. William A. Helfrich,
son of Rev. Johannes, was elected pastor, serving until 1879, when
his son, Rev. Nevin W. Helfrich, took his place. Thus for long over
a century four generations of the one family have filled the
pastorate of this church.

Lewis Rothenberger was born Sept. 23, 1844, on
his father’s homestead in Hereford township. He attended school No.
7, Traub’s, in that township. He was in Clinton county, Indiana,
for one year, working on the farm, and also helped to clear twenty
acres of land, and as previously stated, he was engaged in the
lime-burning business with his brother at Sigmund for a number of
years. He has been out to Indiana seven times on visits, but like
the brother with whose interests his own have been identified for
so many years he has been content to settle down at the old home of
his father. He, too, is active in the local circles of the
Democratic party, and served four years as township treasurer.

On March 28, 1873, Mr. Rothenberger married
Maria Reinhart, daughter of Reuben and Angelina (Reinhart)
Reinhart, of Upper Milford township, Lehigh Co., Pa., and they have
had one son, Calvin, born May 3, 1874, who died in his twelfth
year.

ROTHENBERGER, FRANCIS

p.
1466

Surnames: ROTHENBERGER, HECKMAN, KAUFFMAN, BARRELL, WEIK

Francis Rothenberger, foreman of the Mount Laurel Slag Crusher
Company, and the owner of a fertile farm of forty-six acres in
Muhlenberg township, was born in 1850 in Muhlenberg township, son
of Samuel and Magdalena (Heckman) Rothenberger.

Samuel Rothenberger, who was a laborer, died
when his son Francis was but an infant, leaving a widow and nine
children, as follows: Sarah, who died unmarried; Samuel, Henry and
Thomas, deceased; Emma, of Philadelphia; James, of Oley township,
m. to Ellen Kauffman; an infant, deceased; Adam, deceased; and
Francis. Mrs. Rothenberger died in 1854, in the faith of the
Reformed Church, of which her husband had also been a member.

Francis Rothenberger was educated in the common
schools of his native township, and until 1898 all of his life was
spent in agricultural pursuits, he having acquired a property of
forty-six acres in Muhlenberg township. In the year mentioned Mr.
Rothenberger accepted a position with the Mount Laurel Slag Crusher
Company, of which he has been foreman since 1901. He is a Democrat
in politics, and has served as school director and tax collector of
the township. Fraternally he is connected with the I. O. R. M., and
the Temple Relief Association.

In 1880 Mr. Rothenberger was married to
Catherine Barrell, daughter of Jacob Barrell, and ten children were
born to this union, nine of whom are living; Emma, unmarried;
Samuel; Ellen, who married Mr. Weik; Frederick; Thomas; Minnie,
deceased; James; Katie; John; and Lillian. Mr. Rothenberger is a
member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife adheres to the
Reformed faith.

ROTHENBERGER, ISAAC M.

p. 914

Surnames: ROTHENBERGER, MILLER, GEHRET, EYRICH, FISHER, MENGEL,
SCHMEHL, HARTMAN, FOX, ROTHERMEL, Balthaser, DETURCK, KELCHNER,
RICKENBACH, STOUDT, KOLLER, DUNKEL, WEIDENHAMMER

Isaac M. Rothenberger, general merchant at Wernersville, was born
in Ontelaunee township, August 22, 1866, son of Franklin and
Catherine (Miller) Rothenberger.

Daniel Rothenberger, his grandfather, was of
Muhlenberg township, and carried on a farm adjoining the Alsace
Church until 1876, when he retired and removed to Reading, where he
died in 1890. He married Elizabeth Gehret, and by her had ten
children; Franklin; Obediah m. Amelia Eyrich; Frederick m.
Catherine Fisher; Jacob m. Sallie Mengel; Levi m. Lizzie Miller;
Daniel m. Amelia Schmehl; Mary m. Mayberry Hartman; Catherine m.
William Fisher; Leah m. Ben. Fox; and Elizabeth.

Franklin Rothenberger, father of Isaac M., was a
farmer of Ontelaunee township for many years, retiring in 1896. He
was twice married, and by his first wife Catherine Miller became
the father of twelve children: Mary, m. A. G. Rothermel; Urias, m.
(first) Ella Balthasar, and (second) Mary Deturck; Milton, moved to
Windsor, Ill.; Daniel, moved to Lancaster; Isaac M.; Sarah m. J. J.
Kelchner; Clayton m. Ella Rickenbach; Franklin m. Sallie Miller;
Morris, is unmarried; Kate m. John Stoudt; and two died young.
Catherine (Miller) Rothenberger, who was a daughter of Isaac
Miller, died in 1894, at the age of fifty-nine years. Mr.
Rothenberger married (second) the widow of John Koller.

Isaac M. Rothenberger was educated in the public
schools, and after leaving school assisted his father in his
farming operations until he was of age. He then engaged as a clerk
in the store of A. G. Rothermel, his brother-in-law, at Blandon for
five years, and then was in the dry good store of J. Mould &
Co. at Reading for two years. With this experience he became a
partner in the business of Mr. Rothermel at Blandon, and they
traded under the firm name of A. G. Rothermel & Co. for five
years, from 1895 to 1900. He then sold his interest in the store
and formed a partnership with Ephraim Dunkel, and they carried on a
coal, lumber, grain, flour and feed business at Blandon, under the
name of Dunkel & Rothenberger, for two years. Selling his
interest in this business to Mr. Dunkel’s son, he purchased a
general store at Wernersville, and removing to this city, took his
brother Franklin in as a partner, and they carried on the business
as I. M. Rothenberger & Bro., for three years. In the spring of
1906 he purchased his brother’s interest, and has since carried on
the business alone.

Mr. Rothenberger served as a school director of
Maidencreek township for three years. While at Blandon he took
great interest in the Sunday school and officiated as
superintendent thereof for three years. He was also the leader in
the singing, accompanying on a cornet during the exercises. When he
located at Wernersville he manifested the same interest in the
Reformed Sunday school, being a teacher of the Ladies Bible Class,
and acting as chorister at the same time. Both he and his wife were
members of Hain’s Church choir. He was one of the first men to
agitate the establishment of a bank at Wernersville and upon its
successful organization he was elected one of its directors.

In 1894 Mr. Rothenberger married Anna
Weidenhammer, daughter of Wellington Weidenhammer, of Montour
county, and they had one daughter who died in infancy. Wellington
Weidenhammer served as justice of the peace in the town of
Limestoneville for forty consecutive years.

ROTHENBERGER, WILLIAM
K.

p. 1486

Surnames: ROTHENBERGER, KAUFFMAN, CLOSE, HERB, SNYDER, BICKEL,
MOSER, SCHEARER, ANGSTADT, MOORE, BENTLEY, SHARP, RUTH

William K. Rothenberger, a retired citizen of Muhlenberg township,
who for many years was engaged in farming, milling and butchering,
was born on the old family homestead in Centre township Dec. 13,
1842, son of John D. and Mary (Kauffman) Rothenberger.

The great-grandfather of William K. Rothenberger
was a resident of Alsace township and the father of these children:
Peter; Hannah m. John Close; Polly (Mary) m. Josiah Herb; Molly m.
Benjamin Herb.

Peter Rothenberger, the grandfather, was married
to Polly Snyder, and they had these children: John D.; and Polly,
m. to Elias Bickel.

John D. Rothenberger was a farmer in Alsace
township, where he resided all of his life. He married (first) Mary
Kauffman, and they had ten children: Cyrus K. deceased; William K.;
John K., Peter K. and Levi K., all deceased; Cornelius K., of North
Reading; Milton K., deceased; Mary K. m. to Wellington Moser;
Debora K., m. to Edward Schearer; and Thomas K., of San Francisco.
He married (second) Matilda Kauffman, sister of his first wife, and
they had seven children, namely: James, of Temple; Harry, who went
out West; Morris, deceased; Kate, m. to Elmer Angstadt; Rose, m. to
Edward Moore, of California; George, of Reading; and Sallie.

William K. Rothenberger was educated in the
schools of Centre and Muhlenberg townships, and early in life
learned the trade of miller and butcher, which in connection with
farming, he followed all his business life. He now lives
practically retired. With his family he attends Alsace Reformed
Church, and in politics is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to
public office. Mr. Rothenberger has done much traveling, and in
1907 took a trip to Florida, remaining there from Christmas until
May, 1908.

Mr. Rothenberger was married to Elizabeth Close,
a daughter of John and Hannah (Rothenberger) Close, and they have
three children: Magdalena m. Harry Bentley; Elenora m. William A.
Sharp; and Jennie m. John Ruth.