Michael Roth (r) and Brother Casper or
Johannes
"The Roths of
Innertkirchen, Kanton Bern, Switzerland"
John and Anna Routigen Roth had Melchior in 1838 in Switzerland.
Michael Hans ROTH was born
to Melchior, a nail smith, and Anna HUBER Roth, daughter of Lunver and Anna
ALSTERWITZ Huber, on 28 Jan 1870 in Innertkirchen, Kanton Bern, Switzerland. He was one of ten
children born to Melchior and Anna, and one of four to immigrate to America.
Michael worked in a leather factory in Munising, his passage possibly paid for
by an American leather company. He then worked at a tannery in Manistee, and
continued as a tanner his entire life. According to census information Michael
immigrated in 1887, family lore says with only cheese and bread in his
pocket. His older brother, Casper, immigrated in 1885, and was last known
to reside in West Branch Twp., Potter Co., Pa. It isn't known when
his younger brother, Johannes, immigrated but he reportedly
never married, lived in California, and died in San Luis Obispo,
Ca. Michael's younger sister, Elizabeth, immigrated in
1898. Elizabeth married Fred WINKLEMAN and lived in Germania,
Potter Co., Pa., and is buried with her husband in Germania Cemetery, Abbott
Twp., Potter Co., Pa.
"The Roths
of Manistee, Manistee Co., Michigan"
Manistee Daily News, Monday, Dec. 24,
1900. "A pretty little wedding party assembled at the Methodist parsonage
on Saturday evening at 7:30 to witness the marriage of Miss Maggie LIEFGREEN to
Mr. Michael Roth. Both the bride and groom are choice young people of this
city and have a host of friends who wish them blessing and joy in their life
journey. Rev. W. L. Barth was the officiating
clergyman."
Many years after his arrival to this
country Michael must have written to Switzerland for a copy of his birth
certificate. The official copy of his birth
says, "Geburtsschein, Auszug aus dem Geburtsregister des Zivilsandskreises
Innertkirchen. Statement of Birth. On 28 Jan 1870 in Innertkirchen,
Kanton Bern, Schweiz Roth, Melchior, son of Roth, Melchior from Innertkirchen
and resident of Innertkirchen and Anna, born Huber. Dated 29 January 1941
Innertkirchen, issued 4 February 1941 Meiringen, Kanton
Bern".
"The Roths of Comstock Park, Kent Co.,
Michigan"
Michael waited 55 years
to be naturalized; his certificate tells us a bit about his personal
appearance. Personal description of Michael as of date of
naturalization, age 72 years, sex male, color white, complexion fair, color of
eyes blue, color of hair gray, height 5'4", weight 130 pounds, no visible
distinctive marks, married, former nationality Swiss. The State of
Michigan, County of Kent, U.S. District Court of Western District of Michigan,
Southern Division held pursuant to law at Grand Rapids, Michigan on 2 July 1942
having found that Michael Roth residing at Comstock Park, Kent County, Michigan
intends to reside permanently in the United States.
An undated newspaper clipping says,
"Michael Roth, 77, Native of Switzerland, Passes. Michael M. Roth, 77,
Comstock Park resident 43 years, died Tuesday morning at his home, 128 School
Street, Comstock Park. Mr. Roth was born in Switzerland. He came to
the US in 1887. He and his wife, Margaret, who survives, were the last
living charter members of Comstock Park Congregational Church. Mr. Roth
was a member of the IOOF of Bear Lake. Surviving besides his wife are a
son, Charles J. Roth; two daughters, Mrs. Cornelius A. DAANE and Mrs. Ruth SHIPMAN, and
three grandchildren, all of Grand Rapids, and three sisters and two brothers in
Switzerland. The body will be at Alt Mortuary until 11 a.m.
Thursday. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Comstock Park
Congregational Church." Michael died after sustaining injuries
from a fall from his church's
steeple.
John1, Melchior2, Michael3 and
Ruth4 are my husband's direct line ancestors.
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Roth and Related Photos
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Additional Ancestry
Lines