Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Christian Rohrer
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
CHRISTIAN ROHRER is one of the extensive
land-owners of Dickinson County. He resides
on section 2, Banner Township, where
he owns four hundred and eighty acres of arable
land, constituting one of the best farms in this locality.
Switzerland has not furnished to America
as many citizens as some other nations, but has
given this country some of its best people. Our
subject was born in that land January 27, 1841,
and is a son of Christian and Agatha (Schapper)
Rohrer, both of whom spent their entire lives in
Switzerland. They had a family of four children,
all sons. The father died in 1847, when our subject
was a lad of six years. The mother survived
until 1862.
Christian Rohrer was reared to manhood in his
native land in the usual manner of farmer lads,
and at an early age began to earn his own livelihood,
working at whatever he could find to do.
For a time he was employed in a cotton mill and
also in driving a stage over the mountains. It
was in 1866 that he bade adieu to the land of his
birth, and took passage on an American-bound
vessel, which at length dropped anchor in the
harbor of New York. He came direct to Dickinson
County, Kan., and about a year afterward
purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on
section 35, Jefferson Township. During the
first two years of his residence in this county, he engaged
in farm labor for Christian Hoffman.
In June, 1868, in Jefferson Township, Mr. Rohrer
was united in marriage with Mrs. Apelonia (Hoffman)
Roggendorf, a sister of Christian Hoffman,
of Enterprise, and widow of George Roggendorf.
The lady is also a native of Switzerland. They
began their domestic life in Banner Township,
where they have since resided, and their union has
been blessed with a family of four sons and three
daughters, as follows: Christian A., Leonard, Frank,
Emma, Agatha, William and Anna.
Mr. Rohrer has a pleasant residence on his farm
in Banner Township, which he erected, and it, with
many other valuable improvements upon the place,
stands as a monument to his thrift and enterprise.
Since coming to America he has made farming his
life work, and by his perseverance, good management
and superior business ability has won success.
Himself and wife are members of the German Reformed
Church, and in politics he is a stanch supporter
of Republican principles. He faithfully
performs his duties of citizenship, and his fellow townsmen,
appreciating his worth and ability,
have called upon him to serve in several official
positions. He held the office of Township Treasurer
for three years, was Township Trustee for
eight years, and has been a member of the School
Board for over twenty years. His long-continued
service indicates the promptness and fidelity with
which he discharges the duties of the position.
Mr. Rohrer was nominated for County Commissioner
in 1892, but owing to the great political
"landslide," like many , other good men he was
defeated, although by the very small majority of
twenty votes. He is one of the representative
men of the community, prominent and influential,
and is held in the highest regard by all.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP