Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 928 - 929

HENRY ROHRS. Many of the best class of citizens of Sedgwick County have come from over the sea, particularly from the Empire of Germany. They have transported into the wilds of Southern Kansas the industry, thrift and economy of their native land, and have been very important factors in the rapid development and almost miraculous growth of Sedgwick County. Of this class of honest, hard-working, alien born citizens, there are none who occupy a more prominent place than Henry Rohrs and his family; they were among the early settlers in this portion of the State, locating in Salem Township on section 26, where they now live, in 1872. Henry Rohrs, the father of the family, is a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born March 4, 1820. When he was but four weeks old his mother died, and he was reared to manhood under very adverse circumstances in the land of his birth. Like all Germans he received the elements of a very fair education, which has been useful to him in many ways throughout life. While still a resident of the Fatherland he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Wohlberg, in June, 1853. She was a native of Hanover, Germany, born Nov. 9, 1827, and was the daughter of Frederick and Annie (Olfka) Wohlberg. Of this marriage there were born two children to Mr. and Mrs. Rohrs: Annie, the elder, was born July 16, 1856, and is the wife of William Buchholtz, a resident of Sumner County, this State; she is the mother of five children, as follows: Henry, Emma, Annie, George and William. The other child of Mr. and Mrs. Rohrs is Henry F., a sketch of whom is given below.

             In 1866 the father of the family determined to leave his home in his native land, and seek in the New World the betterment of his fortunes. Accordingly he took passage with his little family on a sailing-vessel at Bremen, and started across the ocean. Proceeding but slowly, driven back by head winds and tempests, the ship labored onward across the 3,000 miles of watery waste, and ten weeks from the date of their embarking they sighted the Montauk light on the head of Long Island, and the next day landed at New York City. For two years and a half Mr. Rohrs continued in the metropolis, engaged in work. At the expiration of that time he came to Kansas, and settled in Wabaunsee County, but in 1872 removed to Sedgwick County, where he has since lived. He preempted the southeast quarter of section 26, Salem Township, which was then a grassy wilderness entirely unimproved. Commencing work at once the improvements upon his place date from the day of his settlement. By constant hard work, indefatigable industry and rigid economy, he has succeeded in making his place one of the finest farms in the township. His residence, barns and other buildings, a view of which we give, are of a handsome as well as of a substantial character, and the general appearance of the place betokens thrift and prosperity. This splendid estate, which contains 160 acres, is a standing monument to the labors of Mr. Rohrs.

            The subject of this sketch and his wife are both members of the Lutheran Church, and good, sincere Christians. They enjoy the esteem and regard of the entire community, and what is more, merit them both. In politics Mr. Rohrs is a Democrat, and a stanch supporter of the principles of that party.

             Henry F. Rohrs, who is the son of Henry and Annie (Wohlberg) Rohrs, is also a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born May 12, 1854. He came to the United States with his parents in 1866 as detailed above, and finally settled in Sedgwick County with them in 1872. He is the owner of eighty acres of most excellent arable land, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. He is active, enterprising and industrious, and is meeting with a merited success in his farming operations. He was united in marriage, Feb. 19, 1882, with Miss Lena Rosin, who was born Sept. 18, 1858. She is the daughter of Christian and Marie (Kruger) Rosin. By this marriage there have been born two children, viz: Willie, born July 18, 1883, and Emma, Oct. 2, 1886. Like his father, Henry F. is also a Democrat, although no politician. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church, and devote considerable attention to religious work. Mrs. Rohrs' parents came to Ohio from Germany in 1884, and the mother died there Jan. 1, 1887; the father died at the same place Sept. 17, 1887.

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