There are in various communities in this land citizens whose nationality is easily recognized, not by reason of any national trace of face, feature or name, but because of certain strongly marked characteristics in business, among which are a persistency of purpose and a determination to accomplish what is undertaken. These qualities plainly indicate the German nation and are manifest in Frederick Rohrs, who first opened his eyes to the light of day in Hanover, Germany, on the 25th of June, 1858, his parents being William and Anna (Witte) Rohrs, of whose family of four children but two are now living, the younger brother being Christopher, a resident of Shelby, Iowa. The father, also born in Hanover, was reared and married there, and in 1870 sailed for the United States, establishing his home in Durant, Cedar County, Iowa. Three years later he removed to Nebraska and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Knox County, but the grasshoppers destroyed all crops produced and after two years he returned to Iowa, his possessions at that time consisting of only a yoke of oxen and two head of cattle. Taking up his abode in Pleasant Township, Pottawattamie County, he there lived up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1890. His widow still survives at the age of seventy-five years and makes her home with her son Frederick.

Mr. Rohrs of this review acquired his education in the public schools while spending the days of his boyhood and youth in his parent's home. His opportunities in that direction, however, were necessarily limited because it became necessary for him to provide for his own support.

He was twelve years of age at the time of the removal of the family from Germany to the United States. He lived at home and assisted his father, ultimately becoming a partner with him in the ownership of two hundred acres of good land on Section 2, Pleasant Township. In 1885, he and his brother took charge of this farm, which they operated together, and in 1900 they purchased the present home farm of Frederick Rohrs, comprising two hundred and forty acres--the northwest quarter and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 4, Pleasant Township.

In 1904 the brothers made a division of their property, Frederick Rohrs taking the two hundred and forty acres just mentioned. He is engaged extensively in the raising of Hereford cattle, having thirty head on this place, and in addition he also has one hundred and thirty head of high grade hogs. He is well known as a feeder and feeds not only all the grain which he raises but also buys extensively for this purpose. His business interests keep him constantly engaged and his energy and diligence are well known traits of his character.

In 1898 was celebrated the marriage of Frederick Rohrs and Miss Matilda Bohlander, of Shelby County, Iowa. Unto them have been born a son and daughter, William and Emma.

In his political views Mr. Rohrs is a Republican, for he feels that the platform of that party is most conducive to good government.

He has served as Township Clerk for two terms. He belongs to Canopy Lodge, No. 401, I. O. O. F., to Shelby Encampment and to the German Lutheran Church.

He is justly regarded as a representative agriculturist and stock-raiser, and though he came to the new world practically empty-handed, he is now one of the prosperous residents of Pottawattamie County. He feels that he made no mistake in choosing this land as a place of abode, for in it's business opportunities he has found the conditions he sought and has won the competence with which fate always crowns the success of men when their persistent efforts are guided by sound judgment.