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Below is a family biography included in The History of Moniteau County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John Rohrbach, president of the Moniteau Cheese Factory, and son of John and Annie (Rohrbach) Rohrbach, was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, June 3, 1843. His parents were natives of the same place, and the father followed farming in the old country. In 1854 he with his family sailed for America, taking passage at Havre on a sailing vessel and arriving at New York after a voyage of thirty-two days. They then went directly to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where they lived for ten years, the father engaging in farming. In 1864 they came to Moniteau County, Mo., and located on the farm now owned and occupied by Frederick Rohrback, the subject of this sketch. The father purchased this farm and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1887. The mother is yet living and resides on the home place. The elder Rohrbach built and ran the first cheese factory in Moniteau County. He was the father of five children: Christian, Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Kalb, Frederick, John and Jacob. John Rohrbach was but eleven years of age when he came with his parents to America. He was reared on a farm and has followed agricultural pursuits so far through life. He is now the owner of 200 acres of land, all well improved and well cultivated and has made all the improvements. He was married in 1873 to Miss Margaret Price, a, native of Ohio, but whose parents were from Wales. They have two children, Cortland and Mollie. Mrs. Rohrbach is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and an active worker in the same, Mr. Rohrbach is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and one of the stirring citizens of Moniteau County. Frederick Rohrbach, cousin of John Rohrbach, farmer, and a member of the cheese company, was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, June 15, 1845, and is a son of Christian and Christina (Rohrbach) Rohrbach, both of whom died in the old country. Frederick Rohrbach came with his brother Christian to America in 1868, and located in Moniteau County. In 1874 he went back to Switzerland, and returned in 1882. He now owns 200 acres of good land, all well improved. He was married in 1876 to Miss Eliza Mueller, a native of Switzerland, who bore him six children: Alfred, Christian, Frederick, Jr., Ernest, Audella and Flora.

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This family biography is one of 187 biographies included in The History of Moniteau County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Moniteau County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Moniteau County, Missouri family biographies here: Moniteau County, Missouri Biographies

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