- Name: Samuel Rohrbach
- Born: February 1, 1856 Erlenbach, Bern, Switzerland
- Died: August 14, 1949 Salt Lake City, Utah
- Related through: Erin's grandfather Kenneth Hanni
Samuel Rohrbach was born on February 1, 1856. He died on the14 of August 1949. He was 93 years old. His wife was Margaritha Baehler. She was born on November 1, 1856. She died on the December 21, 1934. She was 78 years old. They had sixteen children. Four of these children died in infancy, five more died while real young. Some died of brain fever, and diphtheria and tuberculosis. Samuel was a watchmaker. They were very strict parents. Margaritha joined the church in Switzerland against her husband’s wishes. But the children were not able to join until they turned 18. They immigrated to the United States in 1922. They sailed from Le Havre, France and passed through Ellis Island on August 26, 1922. They were both 66 years old. Some of their children had already moved to the Utah by then.
Samuel and Margaritha on ship to America |
Rhorbach family in Switzerland |
Rhorbach family in Salt Lake City |
91st Birthday Awaited by S. L. Resident
Until three years ago — when he was 88—his nimble fingers skin fully manufactured Swiss matches. When he thought he should give that up, his interest turned to the keeping of bees; today that's his prime joy in life.
Rhorbach home in Switzerland |
His birthday observance this year will be a quiet one, with just the family present at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Durtschi, where he has lived many years.
He was born in Switzerland Feb. 21, 1856, and came to the United States in 1922. He is a veteran Swiss watchmaker, and carried on his favorite vocation when he came to this country. He married Margarita Bahler Feb. 11, 1878. She died about six years ago. The couple was the parents of 16 children, all but six of whom have been outlived by their spry father.
Sons and daughters of Mr. Rohrbach are Mrs. Martha Hanni, Garland, Box Elder County; Mrs. Matilda Spencer, Mrs. Adele Durtschi and Alfred S. Rohrbach, all of Salt Lake City, and Mrs. Bertha Hatt, Biel, Switzerland. Mr. Rohrbach has 28 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Thanks to Kenneth and Jeanette Spencer for much of this information and to Grandpa Ken for the photos.
Thank you for sharing this! I have never seen the photo of them on the boat. Samuel Rohrbach is my great great grandfather thru his daughter Margaret.
ReplyDelete