HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes, Lewis Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, Vol. III, p. 1212 [Full page photograph of Mr. Roth included with bio.] [Kenton County] GEORGE F. ROTH is particularly well equipped for his position as manager and proprietor of the Covington Architectural Iron Works by reason of the fact that he has practically grown up with that line of industry. He was born on Pike street, in the city of Covington, Kentucky, on the 11th of July, 1870, and is a son of Godfred and Mary (Herman) Roth, the former of whom was a native of Germany, whence he emigrated to America when a lad of seventeen years. He was accompanied by his brothers, but becoming separated from them he located at Covington, where he followed his trade of blacksmith. He was summoned to the life eternal in 1882, at which time George F. was but twelve years old. Mary (Herman) Roth was of French parentage, her parents emigrating at an early day to Covington, where they both succumbed to the cholera epidemic. Mary was then adopted by a family named Herman and she was reared and educated in Covington, where she passed away when the subject of this review was a child of eight years. Thus thrown upon his own resources at an early age, it is most gratifying to view the success which it has been his to achieve. His preliminary educational advantages were those afforded in the common schools, after leaving which he began work in a safe factory in his native town to learn the business. Later he worked for several years in the structural iron plant owned by Fred J. Myers, and her familiarized himself with the intricacies of the trade, at which he was employed in various factories for a number of years. In 1898 he became personally interested in this line of enterprise, having at that time purchased a third interest in the concern conducted by John H. Luter & Company. The present company known as the Covington Architectural Iron Works, was established by Keiser & Lueke in 1890. This firm passed through several different ownerships and in 1899 Mr. Roth bought an interest in the same, under the firm name of John H. Luter & Company. For a number of years the business had been on the decline and in July, 1900, the entire business passed into the hands of Mr. Roth, who reorganized and rechristened the same as the Covington Architectural Iron Works. He installed the latest accessories in the way of modern machinery and through his able management the business has been largely increased and put upon a successful basis. The plant now employs about twenty men and manufactures structural and ornamental iron and steel, besides which it conducts a general repair business. In addition to the factory building is a suite of splendidly equipped offices and pattern rooms adjoining it. In politics Mr. Roth accords a staunch allegiance to the Republican party and he has served most efficiently on the school board of Covington for three years, first by appointment and later by election. In the year, 1909, he served as president of the same. He Masonic affiliations are as follows: Blue Lodge, Covington, No. 109, Free & Accepted Masons; Covington Chapter, No. 35, Royal Arch Masons; Kenton Council, No. 13; and Covington Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templars. He has been an active member of the Turner Society for nearly twenty-five years and is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and various local clubs of a representative order. Both he and his wife hold membership in St. Paul's Lutheran church. On the 17th of August, 1892, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Roth to Miss Matilda Tierke, who was born and reared in Covington. Mr. and Mrs. Roth are the parents of four children, whose names are here entered in order of birth--Leslie, Edna, Elvira and George Jr., all of whom remain at the parental home. Roth Herman Meyers Luter Keiser Lueke Tierke = Germany http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/kenton/roth.gf.txt