The Rehrer/Rohrer Family of Berks & Lancaster County
The following was exerpted from
"Early Immigrants from Germany and Switzerland
to Eastern Pennsylvania," by Russell George LeVan,
What makes this genealogy interesting is not that it is directly connected to the Rorer/Rorrer family(s) but that it illustrates another variation in the spelling of the name, and the necessity of keeping in mind the pronunciation of a name in the original language. In English the name Rohrer/Rorer/Rorrer is pronounced as in the English phrase "to Roar." I.e. as one syllable with the tongue held almost steady! In German the same name is pronounced as two syllables with, on the second syllable, the tip of the tongue coming up to flick the roof of the mouth, then going back down and the entire tongue then being pulled to the back of the mouth.
I studied German for a number of years, though never achieved fluency, and once knew a number of native speakers. Hence I am very familiar with the German pronouncation of Rohrer/Rorer.
Duane Rorrer, who has been researching his Rorrer/Rorer family, wrote the following "In our records, we have found the family surname spelled Rorer, Rorrer, Rohrer, Rohr, Ruhrer, Roehrer, Rorh, Roar, and Ruhr. The Mormon Genealogical Society states that these are all related and are of the same family." Very true, yet in English, because of the spelling, these variations are pronounced quite differently. viz Ruhr as opposed to Rorer. In all cases this is consistent with the German pronunciation of the name, which gives a different sound to the Ro/Ru syllable than English does.
The usual spelling encountered has the H (Rohrer) or the Y (Royer) and usual variations involve dropping the H, the Y or the last E, all of which in English are generally silent. I have recently come across the variation Rohwer which would seem to follow the same rule.
In the following the first O was changed to an
E by some, but not all branches of the family.
There are two genealogies which are done in slightly differing formats,
hence can be a bit confusing at first glance.
THE REHRER/ROHRER FAMILY
BERKS & LANCASTER COUNTY
[Pages 245 through page 250 with a fronts piece containing the above two
lines. Partial words in square brackets are my own additions otherwise
the text is as written by Russell George LeVan.
David Rorer, August 9, 1998]
At this time, the early division of the Rohrer's has made it imperative
that I start with:
William Rohrer b. 28 Dec 1798, place unknown. He m. 16 Jan 1821 Fanny
Eysiman b. 4 Nov 1803. They were living at Adamstown Lancaster Co. on Border
of Berks Co. Their children were:
l.A Susanne b. 16 Jul 1821 - lived 6 mo., 11 days
1.B. William b. 11 Dec 1822 - single d. 10 Oct 1846 at 23 yrs.
1.C. Catharine b. 26 Dec 1825 m. John Slote
1.D. Samuel b. 28 Feb 1828 m. Caroline Slote
1.E. Elizabeth b. 31 Mar 1830 m. Jacob Reager. She was buried at Adamstown
25 Mar 1912, no record of any children.
1.F. John b. 18 May 1832 m/lst May Slote; m/2nd Sally Giesinger
1.G. Henry b. 26 Oct. 1834 m. Emma Renninger
1.H. Fanny no date m. Abraham Lutz. No other record.
1.I. Jacob no date m/lst Mary Slegel; m/2nd Rose Renninger. No Other record.
1.C. Catharine and John Slote who are both buried at the Adamstown Gem.
- Catharine d. 28 Apr 1904, John Slote d. 20 Oct 1909.
Their children:
2.A Henry Slote b. 23 Jan 1850, d. 16 Oct 1853 - 3 yrs.
2.B. Stillborn
2.C. Samuel b. 9 Aug 1851, d. ?
2.D. William b. 31 Mar 1853, d. ?
2.E. John R b. 27 Aug 1855, d. ?
2.F. Fanny b. 6 Dec 1857, d. 24 Nov 1884
2.G. Catharine R b. 1864, d. 1930
2.H. Emma R b. 28 Feb 1868, d. ?
1.D. Samuel Rehrer d. 26 Jun 1868, wife Caroline, no dates. buried
at Adamstown Gem. Their children:
2.A Sarah Slote b. 1854, d. 24 Sep 1933, single
2.B. Mary no dates, m. Henry Spatz
2.C. Stillborn
1.F. John who d. 28 Mar 1896, wife Mary Slote b. 18 May 1834, d. 22 Aug
1881; both buried at Aulenbach Cem., Reading, Pa Their children:
2.A Emma b. 29 Oct 1856, d. 30 Nov 1859
2.B. George William b. 19 Sep 1858, d. 27 Feb 1939, Paul's father
2.C. Ella S. b. 12 Mar 1861, d. 14 Apr 1881
2.D. Lizzie b. 25 Dec 1856
All the children but George William had no offspring.
2.B. George William d. 27 Feb 1939 and wife Clara Junetta Gerhart b. 15
May 1860, d, 20 May 1935; both buried at Evans Cem., Reading, Pa Their
children:
3.A John Franklin 1 Jun 1882, d. 9 Mar 1963
3.B. George Robert b. 4 Mar 1881, d. 15 Aug 1933
3.C. Paul Leroy b. 13 Aug 1889 m. Norma Rhea Trumbore. Paul was an electrician
for the Carpenter Steel Co. for 30 years and a Mason Lodge 62 of Reading.
He died on 31 Aug 1968, buried in Aulenbach's Gem. They had 2 sons, Harvey
Eugene and Wilson Paul who has one son Robert Wilson and Harvey has a son
Lawrence Paul and daughter. Diane Elizabeth. They are twins.
1.G. Henry Rehrer 7th child of William and Fanny, b. 26 Oct 1834, d. 19
May 1911; m. Emma C Renninger (see under Renninger) b. 21 Sep 1&13,
d. 5 Dec 1917. Henry served in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil
War. Both buried at Aulenbach. Their children and descendants:
2.A Florence (Flora) R. b. 29 May 1871, d. 28 Nov 1889, 18, single, buried
at Aulenbach Gem., Reading.
2.B. Pierson died 2 yrs. old
2.C. Jennie died 2 yrs. old
2.D. Irvin b. 10 Dec 1873, d. 4 Jul 1945 2.E. Warren b. 11 Jan 1882, d.
8 Oct 1918
2.D. Irvin Rehrer b. 10 Dec 1873, d. 4 Jul 1945, wife Anna Smith, b. 18
Mar 1872, d. 30 Dec 1947. (See under Smith our line Anna Smith Father -
Clara Smith, Leonard LeVan, Russell LeVan, Wife.) Irvin and Anna buried
at St. Peter's Reformed Church Cemetery near Nolltown, Berks Co., PA. Children:
3.A. Raymond Henry Rehrer b. 18 Mar 1896, wife Laomi Houser. His present
address 111 South Queen St., Columbia, SC 29205. I came South in the early
1920's but lived in many places, including Europe for many years. Am retired.
Always liked the South, so came back. His letter dated 3 Aug 1965. One
of Raymond's former locations had been 315 1/2 Pickwick Lane, Houston 21,
Texas. This by Florence Rehrer. Children:
3.B. Florence Marie Rehrer b. 22 Feb 1899, single res. 928 Green St., Reading,
PA. Children:
4.A. Jeanne Rehrer b. 19 Feb 1923, m. Thomas A. Most from Mass.
5.A Geoffrey Most b. 13 Jan 1949
5.B. Michele Most b. 10 May 1954
4.B. Raoul Rehrer b. 31 Dec 1925 m. Lois Powers
b. in Alabama. Raoul resigned from the Air Force and is now a research
Marine Biologist for the University of Miami. They live south of Miami,
FL. Raoul had also been in Hawaii. (Air Force) Children:
5.C. Raymond Rehrer b. 5 Jul 1956
5.D. Robin Maria Rehrer b. 22 Dec 1957
5.E. Sarah Elizabeth b. 3 Jan 1959, d. Nov 1964 killed by car.
5.F. Matthew James b. Oct 1964
2.E. Warren Rehrer b. 11 Jan 1882, d. 8 Oct 1918 m. Rose McCullough b.
1st. Mar 1888, d. 21 Apr 1951. Children:
3.A. Flora M. Rehrer b. 1 Dec 1910, m. Samuel J. Werner b. 13 Mar 1904,
res. 1903 Fairview St., Reading, Pk Children:
4.A Joseph John Werner b. 30 Jun 1931 m. Shirley A Schell
4.B. John Warren Werner b. 13 Sep 1932 m. Elizabeth D. Drop. Children:
5.A Michael David b. 31 May 1962
5.B. Shelly S. b. 12 Oct 1965
5.C. John Warren, Jr. b. 14 Feb 1956
5.D. James Joseph b. 11 Apr 1959
5.E. Thomas Michael b. 3 Aug 1963
Thanks to Flora M. Werner and Russell LeVan for help on these records -
Paul L. Rehrer
After much research and eliminating, I have come to the conclusion, William
Rehrer b. 1798, came from the Reyer and Royer family, as there are many
records for the Rehrer family and no place for William to fit in. Also
two men Dr. Daubert and Schuyler Brossman who have researched the Rehrer
family could not place William who was born in Lancaster Co., PA. (So I
will now list my answer to the problem).
The Royer family came to the U.S. in the very
early 1700 to 1718 and settled in what is now Royersford, Montgomery Co.
The immigrant we are interested in is:
1. Sabastian who left Royersford and moved to Elizabeth T[ownship] and
is listed as purchaser of 100 acres of land on 3 Jan 1733. He left two
sons behind in Montgomery Co. out of which there were many descendants
and I did not try and record them. Sebastian lived near Brickersville and
here is an account by Rev. Waldschmidt's own private records which lists
White Oak or Sebastian Reyers' Church located at Sebastian's Reyers in
Elizabeth T[ownship] now called Zion Church near Brickersville. In Oct
1753 it was resolved that the White Oak congregation be combined with Bastian
Reyer's.
This new congregation located at Unionville in
Penn. T[ownship] Jerusalem Church - 60 members.
The PA Archives Series 2 - Vol. 7 lists Sebastian as "a subject of
the German Emperor of Protestant faith who was one of a group who transported
themselves to Lancaster Co., PA between 1700 and 1718."
He was born about 1685 and died 13 Aug 1758, record of Will which lists
wife Agnes and his son as exec. John Emich Royer. Son John, other children
whose names were not given. His youngest son Amos lived in Cocalico T[ownship].
Tax lists show the following Royer and Reyers:
18 May 1743 - George Reyer probably son of Sebastian 100 acres
May 1749 - Amos Reyer 215 acres, son of Sebastian
1749 - Philip Reyer 100 acres son of John Emich
1761 - Peter Reyer 130 acres, son of John Emich
29 Jul 1767 - Stuffield Reyer 136 acres, son of Sebastian
12 May 1785 - Christian Reyer 5 acres, son of John Emich
1770 - Daniel Reyer, son of John Emich
2. Emich son of Sebastian was b. about 1705. He
m. Catharine ? and lived in Cocalico T[ownship], a will on record, at his
death 27 Mar 1769 which lists the following children:
3. Philip, Christian, Peter, John, Daniel Elizabeth, Catherine.
Further tax records show:
1779 - Berk Co. Henry Reyer a Miller lists 4 persons in house, 3 sheep,
2 horses, 1 cow. Christofer 190 acres, Jacob 100 acres, and Samuel 200
acres, 4 horses and 8 cows.
1787 George Reyer 250 acres, 1814 - John 5 acres.
1782- Cocalico T[ownship]. Lancaster Co. Daniel 125 acres, 2 horses 4 cows.
1782 - Cocalico T[ownship]. Lancaster Co. John 130 acres, 2 horses. 3 cows.
1771 - Cocalico T[ownship]. Lancaster Co. Peter
1777- Records show John. Daniel and Peter Reyer in service, Revolutionary
War.
1790 Census:
George Reyer and 4 males and 6 females Bethel T. Berks
Samuel Reyer 4 males and 6 females Bethel T[ownship] Berks
1800 Cocalico T[ownship] - John Reyer Sr. over 45. 2 sons and wife over
45 1 daughter.
1800 Cocalico T[ownship] - John Reyer Jr. 26 to 45 and wife 26 to 45
1800 Cocalico T[ownship] - Philip Reyer 26 to 45, 3 sons, wife 26-45, 1
daughter.
1800 Cocalico T[ownship] - David Reyer 26 to 45, 1 son, wife 26-45
1800 Cocalico T[ownship] - Ephraim Reyer 26 to 45, 4 sons, wife 26-45,
3 daughter.
1800 Bethel T[ownship] - Samuel Royer over 45, 2 sons, wife over 45, 1
daughter.
1800 Bethel T[ownship] - Jacob Rehrer 26-45, 1 son William, wife 26-45,
1 daughter.
1800 Bethel T[ownship] - Christian Rehrer 26-45, 2 sons, wife 26-45, 2
daughter.
3. Philip Royer, son of Emich died 10 Jul 1810
listed in a will as living in Cocalico T[ownship]. - wife Elizabeth, children.
4. Samuel, John, Philip, Elizabeth
4. Samuel and Wife Maria Elizabeth lived in Bethel T[ownship]. He died
on 12 May 1813. Children listed in his Will.
5. Christofer b. 25 Oct 1777 record of St. Paul or Klopp Ch. Bethel T[ownship];
Eva b. 1770 & d. 1841; Catharine; Elizabeth; Julianna; Samuel b. about
1772; Jacob b. about 1773 or 4 ; Wendel b. 14 Jun 1779
3. John Royer's Will of Cocalico T[ownship]. (either Son of Emich, or John)
died 30 May 1810 - Wife, Barbara, children.
4. Joseph, Elisabeth, Barbara Ann. Magdalene; m. Ephraim Hall.
2. John Reyer son of Sebastian had son John Henry b. 1729
a. Another John Reyer and wife Susanna had these 3 children:
John b. 27 Feb 1796
Jacob b. 14 Feb 1801
Martha b. 18 Mar 1802
3. Daniel son of Emich lived in Cocalico T[ownship]. 9 Dec 1784, wife Catharine,
no list of children. Will in German, John Royer, Exe(uter).
1820 Census - Tulpehocken shows Jacob Rehrer as over 45 and wife over 45.
It shows a son 18 to 26 and William was 21 and not married, verifying him
still at home.
2. Amos, youngest son of Sebastian lived in Cocalico T[ownship]. He had
a son.
3. Philip b. about 1735-44 now Philip also lived in Cocalico and left a
Will when he died 20 Mar 1802, listing these children at time of death.
He lived at Manheim T[ownship]. Wife Elizabeth.
4.A Abraham
4.B. Philip
4.C Jonathon plus 2 other sons omitted
Abraham Rohrer died in Manheim 1831. Will lists wife Magdalene
5.A Jacob
5.B Martin
Now Jacob married Elizabeth Stuber or Stober. He lived 77 years. Among
their children was a son, William b. 1798.
6. William left a will in 1854. Book 5, Page 696.
East Cocalico T. Lancaster - wife Fanny, children
7. Catharine, Samuel Elizabeth, John, Henry, Fanny, and Jacob
The 1850 Census lists a Samuel Rehrer as 65, wife Elizabeth 58, Lydia 22, also Jacob 40, his wife Catherine, 41, children William 9, Elizabeth 4, Martha 2 - I believe this William is named after the above mentioned William am not sure of relation ties of this Samuel.
Updated 7/27/02
By Sarah Reher
My name is Sarah Rehrer. I'm 16 years of age and
being completely bored on a Sunday night in the middle of the summer I
stumbled across your page. I found my branch of the family, including the
aunt I am named for as well as dad, grandfather, etc. The section of the
site is under the address of: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~royer/Rehrer_r.html
. I noted a few things of importance, or maybe nonimportance, but I shall
note them anyway. First, the name Most, shown in the excerpt below, should
be Mort. I would also like continue on the family story as the data listed
in the tree is no longer correct. Lois Rehrer (maiden name Powers) died
in the mid-1980's. In the early 90's Raoul remarried to Susan Conner and
together they have one son Warren Rehrer, born in December, 1992. The older
children from the first marriage, had at this point all married. Raymond
Joel Rehrer married Pauline Mary Cilladi and had me, Sarah Elizabeth Rehrer
on September 14, 1985 in Bad Kreuznach,Germany. Robin Rehrer married David
Evans and they have a daughter, Morgan Evans, born on May 18, 1993 in Miami,
FL. Matthew James Rehrer married his wife Heather and together they have
three children, Jacob Rehrer born on May 20, 1996 in Rockledge, FL, Jesse
Rehrer born on September 18, 1999 in Rockledge, FL, and Emily Rose Rehrer,
born May 14, 2002 in Rockledge, FL. Raymond Rehrer retired as a Major from
the United States Army and is now employed as an architect in Columbia,
MD. He and his family live in Middletown, MD. Robin Rehrer is a full time
2nd grade teacher in Palm Coast, FL, where she and her family also live.
Matthew Rehrer is now an X-ray technician in Rockledge, FL, where it is
obvious that he and his family also lives. Raoul Rehrer has retired and
is now also living in Palm Coast with and near his family. There you have
it. Sarah Rehrer PS: Clearer view of it all:
Raoul Rehrer m. Lois Powers (d. mid 1980's)
Raymond Joel Rehrer m. Pauline Mary Cilladi
Sarah Elizabeth Rehrer
b. Sept. 14, 1985, Bad Kreuznach, Germany.
Robin Maria Rehrer m. David Evans
Morgan Evans b. May
18, 1993, Miami, Florida
Matthew James Rehrer m. Heather
Jacob Rehrer b. May
20, 1996, Rockledge, Florida
Jesse Rehrer b. September
18, 1999, Rockledge, Florida
Emily Rose Rehrer
b. May 14, 2002, Rockledge, Florida
Raoul Rehrer m. Susan Conner
Warren Rehrer b. December 1991, Miami, Florida
Raoul Rehrer - retired, living in Palm Coast, Florida
Raymond Rehrer - retired US Army, Architect in Columbia, Maryland, living
in Middletown, Maryland
Robin Rehrer - 2nd grade teacher in Palm Coast, Florida, living in Palm
Coast, Florida
Matthew Rehrer - X-ray technician in Rockledge, Florida, living in Rockledge,
Florida
3.A. Raymond Henry Rehrer b. 18 Mar 1896, wife Laomi Houser. His present
address 111 South Queen St., Columbia, SC 29205. I came South in the early
1920's but lived in many places, including Europe for many years. Am retired.
Always liked the South, so came back. His letter dated 3 Aug 1965. One
of Raymond's former locations had been 315 1/2 Pickwick Lane, Houston 21,
Texas.
This by Florence Rehrer. Children:
3.B. Florence Marie Rehrer b. 22 Feb 1899, single res. 928 Green St., Reading,
PA. Children:
4.A. Jeanne Rehrer b. 19 Feb 1923, m. Thomas A. Most from Mass.
5.A Geoffrey Most b. 13 Jan 1949
5.B. Michele Most b. 10 May 1954
4.B. Raoul Rehrer
b. 31 Dec 1925 m. Lois Powers b. in Alabama. Raoul resigned from the Air
Force and is now a research Marine Biologist for the University of Miami.
They live south of Miami, FL. Raoul had also been in Hawaii. (Air Force)
Children:
5.C. Raymond Rehrer b. 5 Jul 1956
5.D. Robin Maria Rehrer b. 22 Dec 1957
5.E. Sarah Elizabeth b. 3 Jan 1959, d. Nov
1964 killed by car.
5.F. Matthew James b. Oct 1964