JOHN AND JOSEFA [BEM] ROHRER
As a child Johannes (John) Rohrer came to America from Switzerland
with his father, Heinrich Rohrer. The family settled around
Westford, Wisconsin, where Heinrich became a prosperous farmer.
In 1870 at the age of 24, John left his parents in Wisconsin and
homesteaded near Pischelville, Nebraska. On March 22, 1890, he
married Josefa (Josephine) Bem.
Josefa Bem was born May 6, 1861, in Lisne (located in the
Bohemian-Moravian Highlands), Moravia. She was the daughter of Jan
(John )Bem and Josefa Clmely. She migrated to Nebraska with her
father in 1879.
In 1893 the Rohrers moved to their farm near Winnetoon, which was
later passed on to son Roy. Roy’s wife Eva still resides there and
son Arnie farms.
The John Rohrers had seven children:
Frank Adolf was born September 28, 1891, and married Evaline Hart
December 22, 1914. He died March 9, 1920, in a car fire. They had
one son, Frank Rohrer.
Mary Ann Rohrer, born July 30, 1894, married Art Box on February 22,
1910. They had one son, Milton. Mary lives in Ashland, Nebraska.
Henry Edward, who was born July 30, 1894, and married Iva Hart on
February 16, 1914, died July 7, 1966. They had two children, Irene
and John.
Harry John, born January 5, 1896, married Eunice Bennett February
16, 1914; Eunice died in childbirth. Harry married Nellie Clements
and they had three children, Waymond, Steve, and Mary Ellen. Harry
died August 15, 1981.
Roy Alfonce was born August 2, 1898, and married Eva Andersen on May
4, 1943. Roy died February 27, 1975. Roy and Eva had ten children:
LeRoy, Helen, Arnie, Mary, Bonnie, Donald, James, Wendell, Wilma,
and Karen.
Mabel Margaret was born October 27, 1902, and married Roy Bennett on
March 18, 1922. Mabel died October 30, 1981. They had seven
children: Roy, Norma, Lola, Bruce, Jerry, Laurel, and Ned.
Alma Agnes, born August 3, 1906, married Ted Bennett. Alma died June
18, 1953. They had eight children: Lois, Rollen, Edith, Arnold,
Larry, Mary, Ted, and Rolley.
On April 26, 1915, while cutting trees on his farm near Winnetoon
with son Harry, John suffered a heart attack and died. Josephine
died February 12, 1936, while attending mass in Verdigre.
School District 16 was given to the district for 99 years by John
Rohrer. Harry was director of the district for many years. Since the school was nearby, the teachers often lived in Harry’s home.
During the 1930s Harry was an active member of the Farmers Holiday
Association. Harry, along with brother-in-law Arthur Box, traveled
to Lincoln to lobby legislators to pass a moratorium to prevent farm
foreclosures. Art knew many farmers since he owned a steam engine
and used to thresh small grain.
Many descendants of John Rohrer continue to live in the Verdigre
area, attend Verdigre Public Schools, and patronize the Verdigre
businesses.
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