IowaJones/Biographies/J. Robison

J. Robison–H. Rohrbach

Joseph Robison
Born 1837

JOSEPH ROBISON, farmer, Oxford Twp., Sec. 29; P.O. Oxford Mills; was born in Virginia in 1837; came to Ohio in 1846 and remained until 1877, when he came to Jones Co. and bought, and now owns forty-one and three-fourths acres, on which he has made all of the improvements. His wife, Jennette Cave, was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, in 1840, and came to Iowa in 1877; they were married May 14, 1855, in Ohio, and have three children living—Calvin D., William H. and Laurance B.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 596.

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Rev. Lawrence F. Roche
Born 1850

REV. LAWRENCE F. ROCHE, Pastor of St. Martin's Catholic Church of Cascade, was born in Ireland in 1850. He received his education in that country and was ordained by Archbishop Patrick Tealey, of Cashel, Ireland. He came to America in 1872 and settled in Dubuque. He was afterward given charge of St. Peter's Church at Temple Hill, Jones County, and in 1876 was transferred to St. Anthony's Church at Davenport, where he remained five years. Returning to Dubuque at the expiration of that time our subject took charge of the Cathedral in that city and continued as its pastor until he came to Cascade. This congregation was originally attended by the Rev. Father Predine about fifty years ago. It was then a small mission and the pastor only visited them occasionally in order to attend to their spiritual wants. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Tracy, who was stationed at Garry Owen. The Cascade Mission was separated from Garry Owen and attached to Temple Hill, which was a flourishing Catholic settlement in an early day as it is at present. The Rev. Father McGinnis, now deceased, was pastor of the church at that time. The building in which they met for worship was a small brick structure near where the present large church now stands. Resident priests supplied the congregation for some time, among whom was the Rev. George A. Hamilton, who remained with them for six months; Rev. James Slatterly succeeded, and in 1860 the Rev. J. O'Connor took charge, remaining for one year. He was followed by Rev. James Cunningham, whose death occurred two years later. Rev. Michael Lynch was then called and for eleven years he faithfully served the church. During his pastorate the present commodious building was erected and also that of St. Martin's Convent and accompanying schools.

In 1876 Father Lynch was succeeded by the Rev, John Hennessy, who administered the affairs of St. Martin's until 1880. Then Father James P. Barren occupied the pastorate until June of the following year, when our subject assumed control. He has the spiritual welfare of one hundred and forty families to look after. Since coming to Cascade he has made many valuable improvements in the church property, among which was the large church tower and the priest's residence, which was built at a cost of $5,000, and a school building at about $1,000. The church proper is a solid stone structure, nicely furnished, and when completed cost $16,000. There is a fine school for boys, the building occupying two lots on Keene Street. The girls' school is situated in the Convent of St. Martin's and the total scholarship is one hundred and twenty. Six Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary are employed as teachers and instruct the pupils in all branches of education. Rev. Father Roche gives his entire attention to his church work and is highly respected in the community in which he lives.

From Dubuque, Jones, and Clayton Counties History, 1894, pgs. 482-483, and submitted by Becky Teubner.

George Rogers
Born October 25, 1854

George Rogers, a successful representative of the agricultural and stock raising interests of Jones county, is the owner of an excellent farm of four hundred and twenty acres in Richland township. He was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, on the 25th of October, 1854, his parents being Peter and Catherine (Moonen) Rogers, both natives of Ireland. In 1849 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up their abode in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father was engaged in mining. In 1856 he came to Jones county, purchasing a portion of the farm which is now in possession of his son George. He made his home thereon throughout the remainder of his life, devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits with gratifying results. His demise occurred in 1880 and his wife, surviving him but four years, was called to her final rest in 1884. They were the parents of five children, namely: Patrick, a resident of Jones county; Michael, who is deceased; George, of this review; Catherine, who lives with her brother George; and Jane, who has likewise passed away.

George Rogers spent his youthful days under the parental roof, attending the common schools it, pursuit of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of life. When twenty-one years of age he took charge of the old home farm, operating the same until his father's death, at which time it came into his possession. He is now the owner of four hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land in Richland township, this county, and also has a tract of three hundred and twenty acres in Cedar county, Nebraska. In addition to the production of cereals he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. His industry has ever been one of his salient characteristics and has been the measure of his success.

In 1905 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Rosanna Troye, a native of Austria, who came to this country in the year 1902. They now have three children: Joseh Peter, Catherine B. and Mary G.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Rogers has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the democracy. His fellow townsmen have honored him by election to various positions of public trust and he has acted as township trustee and supervisor, while for about a quarter of a century he has served as school treasurer. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, of which his wife is also a communicant. He has now made his home in this county for more than a half century and his life, ever upright and honorable, has gained for him the warm esteem and unqualified confidence of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 199.

Patrick Rogers
Born December 25, 1848

Patrick Rogers, a prosperous farmer of Richland township, was born in Ireland, December 25, 1848, and is a son of Peter and Catherine (Moonen) Rogers, both natives of the Emerald isle. Shortly after his birth the parents came to the United States, taking up their residence in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father engaged in mining. In 1856 Peter Rogers came to Jones county, where he purchased a portion of the farm which is now in the possession of his son George. On it he spent the remainder of the years allotted to him, devoting himself assiduously to agricultural pursuits with such results that by the time of his death, which occurred in 1880, he was in the enjoyment of a comfortable income. His wife survived him only four years, when in 1884, she too was called to her final rest. They were the parents of five children: Patrick, the subject of this sketch; Michael, who is deceased; George, a farmer of Richland township; Catherine, who lives with her brother George; and Jane, who has passed away.

Patrick Rogers was reared at home, where from the careful training of his parents he derived those lessons which have contributed so much to the success of his later years. He also attended the public schools, in which he learned the rudiments of an English education, so that by the time he had attained his majority he was well equipped for the practical and responsible duties of life. At that age he left the parental roof and bought the farm of ninety-five acres on which he lives today. With the passing years he has been able to add to the original tract until now he owns two hundred and thirty acres lying on sections 4 and 9, Richland township. This he has improved by planting a large grove of spruce trees and by erecting a fine house and many other buildings which are indicative of the progressive ideas which have contributed so much to his success. In addition to the cultivation of general crops he has engaged extensively in the raising of hogs, obtaining from both a gratifying income.

In 1884, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Mary Coos, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Nicholas and Susanna Coos. The parents were both natives of Germany, and the mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years, making her home with Mr. Rogers. Our subject and his wife have eight children: George P., John N., Catherine, Charles, Joseph, Laura, Lettie and Frank. The eldest is a farmer of this county, with whom Catherine makes her home. Laura has graduated from the common schools.

The family are members of the Catholic church, that being the faith in which the parents were reared, and are devout in the performance of their religious duties. Since he has been of an age to exercise the franchise right of a citizen of this republic, Mr. Rogers has allied himself with the democracy and has received evidence of the confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens, who have elected him to the school board and for twenty years chose him as one of the trustees of the township. This sign of public approval is even more gratifying than the substantial financial success which has rewarded his efforts.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 229.

Henry Rohrbach
Born 1832

HENRY ROHRBACH, Postmaster and agent of the C.,M.&St.P.R.R., Viroqua; born in Prussia, Germany, in 1832; came to America in 1853; went to Pennsylvania; then, in 1853, to Stephenson Co., Ill.; in 1870, to Iowa; owns town property in Rock City, Ill., and Viroqua. In politics, Republican; in religion, Lutheran. Was Collector in Illinois and Supervisor. His wife, Caroline Long, was born in Germany in 1837; married in 1857 and have nine children—George H., Ida L., Mary S., Robert, Annie Mary, William A., Jane, Olive and Eva. He is also dealer in grain, stock and thc general business of the town.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 651.