Rockrohr, Charles

ROCKROHR, RAYMOND, SCHWARTZ, DALCHOW, FRANK, HOLTZ, BAKER

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 2/17/2003 at 20:13:28

PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF CLINTON COUNTY, IOWA 1886 (CHAPMAN BROS.)
Containing full page portraits & biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. (Also available on FHL film 1036331 Item 9)
(P. 318) CHARLES ROCKROHR. Among the sturdy, energetic and successful farmers of this county who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow, and consequently are enabled to carry on their calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this notice. He is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits on his father’s fine farm of 267 acres, in Deep Creek Township, where he was reared from the time he was four years of age.
Mr. Rockrohr was born near Beaver Dam, Wis., June 10, 1854, of German parentage. His father, Frederick Rockrohr, and his mother, Anna (Raymond) Rockrohr, were married in this country, but were both born in Germany, and were early settlers in Deep Creek Township. There our subject’s father bought a tract of land, which he improved and developed into a fine farm, and for many years cultivated it, and was also engaged in running the “Ten-Mile House.” They are both living at Lyons at this writing, and have retired from active labor, having accumulated a handsome competency through honest toil and economy, which enables them to pass the sunset of life in peace and quiet.
On the 6th of November, 1885, a tornado passed through Deep Creek Township and struck the home place of Mr. Rockrohr. It struck both barns, unroofing them and doing other damage; turned one haybarn over; did some damage to the porch on the house, and, to use Mr. Rockrohr’s expression, “the house was painted with mud.” It also damaged the orchard considerably, and also the shrubbery. One of the hired men, who was milling, was badly injured at the same time by having a portion of the barn blown on him.
Charles Rockrohr is the eldest son of his parents’ family of six children, three sons and three daughters, one of the latter being deceased. The second child, Emma, married William Schwartz, and they are living in Berlin Township, where he is engaged in the calling of a farmer. Frances is the wife of Rudolph Dalchow, a farmer by occupation and residing at Lyons. Emil was united in marriage with Miss Dora Frank, and they reside at Maquoketa. Otto is living at Lyons with his father, and Caroline died at the age of fourteen years.
Our subject was educated in the common schools and continued to reside on the old homestead, assisting in the labors of the farm until he took possession of the place, and has for four years managed it with good success.
Charles Rockrohr was married Feb. 26, 1882, to Miss Rickly Holtz, born in Germany Jan. 3, 1862. Her father, Fred Holtz, and her mother, Sophia (Baker) Holtz, were natives of Germany, and came to this country in 1863. They first settled in Center Township, in this county, on a farm which her father had improved, and later they moved to Jackson County, where they are at present living.
Mrs. Rockrohr lived with her parents, assisting her mother in the domestic duties of the household, until her marriage. She has borne her husband one child -- Louie, born Sept. 18, 1885.
Mr. and Mrs. Rockrohr are consistent members of the German Lutheran Church. Our subject was formerly a Republican, but at present votes with the Democratic party, the change in his politics having been made on account of the temperance issues of the day.