Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 777-778; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Benjamin Rohrer, one of the successful farmers of Canton
Township, occupies a substantial and well-designed farmhouse on section
13. Conveniently arranged about his dwelling are the various
buildings which are necessary to house the crops and shelter the stock
raised by Mr. Rohrer on the surrounding acres. The landed estate
consists of four hundred and forty acres in Canton and one hundred and
sixty in Orion Township, all of which has been well improved. The
solid financial standing our subject is due to industrious and
well-directed efforts, coupled with a thorough reliability in all his
dealings. Of a deliberative mind, he has been cautious yet
enterprising, and the result is that he has gained an abundant share of
‘filthy lucre,’ or is equivalent.
Mr. Rohrer is a Pennsylvanian by birth and parentage, Lancaster
County having been the place of his own nativity, as well as that of
his father and mother. Henry and Mary (Doner) Rohrer lived in
their native county for some years after their marriage, then came to
the Prairie State and made their home in Quincy about four
months. Thence they removed to this county in the fall of 847,
spending the remainder of their lives as residents of Canton
Township. They had three sons and five daughters, the first-born
being the subject of this notice.
The natal day of Benjamin Rohrer was January 17, 1833. No
event especially worthy of note took place in his life until he was
about fourteen years old, when the family journeyed to this
State. The lad remained with his father, assisting in the
development of the homestead and learning useful lessons of life, until
his marriage, which took place in his native county in
Pennsylvania. He then established his own home on the old farm,
operating the quarter section adjoining. About 1860 he took
possession of his present home where he and his family enjoy the
comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
The many estimable traits of character and the useful habits
possessed by Miss Mary Hershey, a native of Lancaster County, Pa., made
her seem to Mr. Rohrer a desirable companion, and neither has had cause
to regret their union. They have eight living children:
Hiram, Benjamin F., Emma, Abraham H. Henry H., Susie, Mary H. and John
D. Emma is the wife of Elmer Sutton. Mr. and Mrs. Rohrer
have lost their first-born, Abner, who died when sixteen years old.
Mr. Rohrer inherits a high degree of public spirit and interest
himself for the welfare of those about him. He served as Highway
Commissioner three years and during that time made many substantial
improvements by building iron bridges. He has been School
Director for many years and was at one time a delegate to the State
Convention convened for the purpose of nomination State officers.
He exercises the elective franchise in behalf of Republican principles
and institutions. He and his wife are identified with the German
Baptist Church, commonly known as Dunkards.
