HENRY ROSENBERGER. This pioneer and early settler, of Hopewell Township, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., June 28, 1798, and is a son of Anthony and Barbara Rosenberger. He came to Seneca County with his wife and three children Dec. 30, 1823, and settled on 170 acres of land that he had entered the preceding year, located on Section 1, of Hopewell Township, and Section 6, of Clinton Township. Here he soon erected a round-log house 18x20 in size, into which he moved. It is related by him that on his arrival with his family his possessions amounted to one horse, a wagon, a small quantity of pork and 25 cents in money. For the first year and a half they had but one barrel of flour, part of which was spoilt at that. The family subsisted principally on game meat, which was abundant (deer especially, of which he killed many). Corn bread was the great "stand by." His 10 acres of land he cleared up, and in course of time a hewed-log house built by him, which is now occupied by his son, Jacob, on this farm. The Seneca Indians were his near neighbors, with whom he was always on friendly terms, they sometimes stopping over night with him; one of their "trails" passed through his land. Before leaving Virginia Mr. Rosenberger was a member of the German Reformed Church, and after coming here he joined the United Brethren, but upward of thirty years ago he became a member of the Methodist Church, still retaining his connection with that society, of which he is steward. He largely aided in erecting the Rosenberger Methodist Protestant Church that is located on his old farm. In politics he was formerly a Whig, later a stanch Republican, and during the Rebellion he was active in encouraging enlistment and assisting the Union cause. He was married twice, first, April 5, 1818, to Miss Jane Shoul, who bore him the following named children: James, William, Mary E., Harriett, George N., Anthony D., Margaret Ann, John ., Martha J., Jacob and Eliza. This wife dying, Mr. Rosenberger married, in 1876, Maria Smith, and by this union there are two children: Lona May and Henry Ellsworth. In 1876 Mr. Rosenberger sold 330 acres, left his farm and moved to Tiffin, where he has since lived in retirement, and although eighty-seven years of age, has, until the past year, been vigorous and healthy. He is one of the very few pioneers still living, and enjoys the respect of all who known him.|
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio - 1886 - Page 865