The Roth family is quite well known throughout the northern part of Jo Daviess County as worthy representatives of its agricultural interests. The subject of this notice, the son of Valentine Roth, was born in the city of Galena, July 28, 1859; was reared at the homestead and educated in the common school. He was at an early age trained to habits of industry and principles of honor, and has thus become one of the highly respected citizens of the county.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent after the manner ofmost farmers' sons, attending school during the winter and assisting around the homestead in seasons of sowing and reaping. When nearly 24 years of age he was married April 10, 1883, to Miss Virginia, daughter of Joseph and Victoria (Long) Wiederhold. The latter were natives of Prussia, where they were reared and married. They came to the US in 1842, landing in the month of June, after a voyage of 10 weeks. From that time until his death, in 1873, Mr. Wiederhold was a resident of Grant County WI. The mother still lives in Kieler, that county. The parental household included 10 children - Joseph, Margaret (Mrs. John Kunkle of WI), Justine (Mrs. Anton Webber of Pipestone Co MN), Catharine (Mrs. Harmon Dickman), and Caroline (Mrs. Joseph Trussler of the same place), Valentine ( a resident of Keiler WI), William ( died at the of 7), Virginia (Mrs. Roth) and two who died in infancy.

The paternal grandparents of Mrs Roth were Christopher and Catherine Wiederhold, and on the mother's side they were Adam and Catherine Long. All were members of the Catholic Church, and all spent their entire lives in their native Prussia. To our subject therer have been three children - Catherine, Aug. 6, 1884; John, Oct. 24, 1886 and Joseph, Jan. 12, 1888. The farm comprises 80 acres of good land on section 21 and all the improvements, with the exception of the dwelling, have been affected by our subject. He has a large and commodious frame barn with all modern conveniences, and the machinery necessary for the successful prosecution of his calling. There is a fine tract of timber and the other land has been brought to a thorough state of cultivation. Mr. Roth is quite largely interested in stock raising, keeping excellent grades of cattle and hogs. They are members of the Catholic Church.

Portraits & Biographical Jo Daviess Co IL 1889 Pg 434