My Genealogy Hound

Capt. Robert Roehrig, of the steamer “General Charles H. Tompkins,” of Washington, is a native of the city of Washington, Mo., born in 1841, and is the son of John D. and Amalie (Ern) Roehrig. The father was born in Germany in 1808, and in the year 1839 crossed the ocean to the United States, where he worked for six months in the city of St. Louis. He then came to Washington, and was engaged in various kinds of employment until 1853, when he established Cigar Factory No. 21, First District Missouri. Mr. Roehrig continued this occupation until March, 1887, when he turned the business over to his son, Albert, who is now conducting it successfully. Mr. Roehrig is another old citizen of Washington, coming to that place when there were but two or three houses. His wife was born in Germany in 1811, and she too is yet living. Of their family of twelve children, seven of whom are yet living, Robert is the fourth child. He was educated in the private schools of Washington, and at an early age began working as engineer on a steamboat. Realizing that to be a skillful engineer one should have a thorough knowledge of machinery and be able to make the same, he abandoned the boat and entered as an apprentice the machine and blacksmith shop of Jasper & Krog. After becoming qualified he resumed his position on the steamboat, and for a year did the workably and well. He was not, however, confined to engineering alone, but has served in the capacity of pilot and captain, and holds the latter position at present. His trips have been from St. Louis on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Rocheport, and as high up as Kansas City. At present he has an interest in the “New Haven” and “General Charles H. Tompkins,” being master of the latter. He is a man of long experience in steam boating, and fully understands his business. March 22, 1863, he married Miss Annie Oventrop, a native of Westphalia, Germany, born in 1842, and who came to the United States in 1854. To this union were born seven children: Edward, William, Clementine, Mary, Augusta, Robert and Annie. Capt. Roehrig is a Democrat in politics, and an excellent citizen.