Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 312

Karsten Rohwer was born in Schleswig-Holstein, June 8, 1818. He was reared to manhood on a farm, receiving the advantages of a common-school education. As he was too small in stature, he was excused from service in the German army. When a youth of eighteen years, he left his native land, taking passage in a sailing vessel bound from Hamburg to New York. On landing, he came direct to Sheboygan County, working in a brickyard, and at whatever he could find to do, for some time.

On the 8th of June, 1855, Mr. Rohwer wedded Christina M. Holling, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein July 29, 1832. With her brother she crossed the Atlantic in 1855, leaving Hamburg, and at the end of five weeks and six days they reached New York. After his marriage, Mr. Rohwer and his young wife removed to the township of Holland, and with her assistance he ran a small fishing-boat in order to get something of a start for future success. At the end of two years they removed to Sheboygan and bought a lot and built a house, which is still the home of the wife. By industry and the exercise of economy, in the course of years they became quite well off, their property comprising some seventy-three acres, only two miles south of the city, and various real estate inside of the limits.

Mr. and Mrs. Rohwer became the parents of eleven children, of whom six are living: Catherine, wife of William Klotzien, of Sheboygan; Christine M., wife of Ernst Schindler, also of this city; John, who resides in Breckenridge, Colo.; Emma, wife of George Sievers, of Clintonville, Wis.; and Albert K. and Anna, who live at home. Death deprived the wife and children of a kind and affectionate husband and father on the 29th of November, 1886. In political faith, he was a Republican, and was a respected citizen.

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