San Joaquin County
Biographies
HENRY ROHRBACHER
HENRY ROHRBACHER, one of the
leaders of the bottling business in Stockton, is a native of Alsace, and was
born on the 20th of July, 1845, his parents being George Henry and
Barbara (Happel) Rohrbacher. When he was a mere boy, his father died. He was
reared to farm life, and followed as a business hemp pulling for the
manufacture of linen. In 1868 he came to America, landing at New York. He
remained in the American metropolis only thirteen days, and then set out for
California, via Panama. He landed at San Francisco from the steamer “Golden
Gate” on the 16th of May, 1868, and on the following day he arrived
in Stockton. He obtained employment at the Pacific tannery, where he worked
that summer, and then engaged in the steam boating for the winter. During the next
summer he worked in the harvest field and on threshing-machines, and then
obtained employment with Mr. Wagner in the butchering business. In 1870, in
connection with his brother, Philip, he engaged in the bottling business, under
the firm name of P. Rohrbacher & Bro., and that firm continued until 1874.
In that year Henry Rohrbacher became sole proprietor, and he has ever since
carried on the business alone. He bought a building on Channel street, fitted
it up with all proper convenience for his business, including a first-class
cellar, and has ever since done business there. He is sale agent and bottler of
the Willows brewery beer and also of the lager beer manufactured by the United
States brewery, and has built up a very large trade, including an extensive
family custom, giving constant employment to three men. He is Past Grand of
Stockton Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F., Past Sachem of Iroquois Tribe, No. 35, I.
O. R. M., Past Arch of Stockton Grove, No. 25, U. A. O. D., and has been first
assistant engineer of the fire department. Being a gentleman of pleasant
manners, he enjoys a wide popularity.
Mr. Rohrbacher was married, in this
county, to Miss B. C. Leffler, daughter of George Jacob Leffler, and they have
four children: Hattie, Birdie, Ernestine and Gustav.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Page 492. Lewis Pub. Co.
Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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