The Scott Family

surname:  Rosenberger

All of the family information (pages 18-318) from the Rosenberger book of 1906 has been transcribed into our online database.  The text below has been transcribed from pages (319-324).

 See bibliography for publication data.

Index of page images from the Rosenberger Book of 1906

Click on the names below to view entry in our Rosenberger database.

The first reunion of the Rosenberger family was held in Perkasie Park, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, August 10, 1899.

The weather in the early morning was rainy, and fears were entertained that the rain would interfere with the attendance.  However, while o'er head the clouds hung dark and broken, it ceased to rain, and the descendants began to arrive, in vehicles of every description, from the surrounding districts of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, while the incoming trains brought hundreds more, until upwards of 1,500 descendants of the pioneer Henry Rosenberger were present.  The arrangements of the reunion were in charge of a committee who had been engaged for some time in the work of preparation, and the exercises were signally successful.

Included in the gathering were representatives of the family from Bucks, Montgomery and Lehigh Counties, and Philadelphia, while several came from distant states in the West and Canada.

The exercises began at 10:30 a. m., when the chairman, Prof. Seward M. Rosenberger, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, mounted the platform in the auditorium of the park and introduced Prof. Howard Freed, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, as the first participant, who rendered a pleasing piano solo.  This was followed by singing "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," and a fervent prayer was then offered by Rev. G. W. Hengen, of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, after which Prof. S. M. Rosenberger, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, delivered the address of welcome, to which Rev. S. A. Ziegenfuss, D. D., of Germantown, Pennsylvania, responded in an appropriate address in which he cited his connection with the family and congratulated the committee on the success of the undertaking.

Miss Ella Geller, a promising young vocalist, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, favored the audience with a vocal solo, and Miss Stella Rosenberger, of Philadelphia, rendered an excellent piano solo.

The memorial address, prepared by A. R. Place, Esq., of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, was read by Dr. Daniel M. Landis, of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, Mr. Place just having been treated for an affection of the throat, his physician would not permit him to use his voice.  The address was one of the best productions of the day.

The exercises of the forenoon were closed by singing that patriotic hymn, "America."

At 2 o'clock, the audience which had been considerably increased by later arrivals, again gathered in the auditorium and the exercises for the afternoon were opened by singing "Nearer My God to Thee," after which a piano duet was rendered by Miss Stella Rosenberger and Howard Freed.  The chairman then introduced Samuel S. Freed, Esq., of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, who delivered an address.  He was followed by an address by Prof. A. F. K. Krout, M. A., of Philadelphia.  Misses Mabel and Susie Rosenberger, of Hilltown, Pennsylvania, rendered a piano duet, and J. V. Ommeren, Esq., of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, addressed the audience briefly in the absence of F. G. Hobson, Esq., of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, who was announced on the program as one of the speakers, but failed to be present.

Mill Ella Geller sang another solo, after which the historical address was delivered by Rev. A. J. Fretz, of Milton, New Jersey.

At the close of the exercises the question of holding future reunions of the family came up for consideration, and it was moved and carried to hold a reunion of the family every five years.

 

SECOND ROSENBERGER FAMILY REUNION

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The second reunion of the Rosenberger family was held on Thursday, August 11, 1904, when about 1,000 descendants of the pioneer Bishop Henry Rosenberger gathered in Perkasie Park, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  The day did not open auspiciously, and the threatening skies kept many away.  In the afternoon the large pavilion was well filled.

A short program was rendered in the forenoon.  Prayer by Rev. S. A. Stopp, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania.  Dr. D. M. Landis extended the welcome of the town and committee to the visiting relatives.  Prof. S. M. Rosenberger responded to the words of welcome.  James A. Rosenberger, of Milford Square, delivered an oration lauding the virtues of the ancestors, and emphasizing the need of cheerful devotion to duty and right.  Miss Nora Rosenberger, of Perkasie, gave a touching reading, which was sympathetically received by the audience.  Addresses in the afternoon were delivered by J. Ralphus Freed, Esq., of Doylestown, in the English language, and Frank R. Rosenberger, of Milford Square, in German.  The addresses were replete with happy allusions and sparkling thoughts.  A trio was rendered by W. B. Rosenberger's family and a number of instrumental selections were rendered by the Misses Susie and Mabel Rosenberger, of Hilltown.  The musical renditions greatly delighted the audience.  The historical sketch prepared by Rev. A. J. Fretz, the family historian, was read by the president of the Association.  At a business session the officers of the Association were re-elected to serve the next reunion -- 1907.  The are Prof. S. M. Rosenberger, Treasurer; Dr. D. M. Landis, Isaac Rosenberger and Harvey Landis, Executive Committee.

 

VALEDICTION

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The gentle reminder of the editor that he has about completed the manuscript for the Rosenberger Family History, and that the last article in the form of a valediction would therefore be expected without much further delay, urges me to fulfill a promise which I made some time ago, and which I have not forgotten.  Many of us have no doubt awaited the appearance of this work with a great deal of interest.  Various matters have transpired within recent years to awaken our expectations to a greater or less degree, so that any one connected with the Rosenberger family, would, from time to time, find his feelings agitated, his hopes excited and his desires deepened, as these matters relating to the history of the family took more definite shape.

The very first announcement from the Editor calling our attention to the fact that the publication of a history of the pioneers and descendants of the Rosenberger family would be undertaken, could not fail to awaken a responsive chord in the heart of every living member who happens to be in any way connected with the family.  And every subsequent announcement of the intended project, had the effect to increase our interest and augment our sympathy in behalf of the movement.

But this favorable regard reached its highest point, (in our judgement) in the very successful ROSENBERGER FAMILY REUNION, held at Perkasie Park in the summer of 1899.  Such an outpouring of people must certainly have exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the committee who arranged for the re-union, and demonstrated in no uncertain tones the attitude of the descendants to their family history.

The preparation and completion of such a history is necessarily fraught with a great deal of labor, research and patience.  We are deeply sensible and fully appreciate the greatness and accuracy of the work done by the Editor in gathering, compiling and arranging the historical data of this family, tracing our lineage and making it possible for us to see the line of our particular descent from, and our relations to the parent stem.  It is an intricate and yet withal an interesting study.

As we scan the pages of this volume, we learn a great many things that we had not known before.  We gain a better insight into our family history, appreciate the more fully the noble deeds, the pioneer work, the glorious achievements, the arduous self-denials, the worthy examples and goodly heritage handed down to us by our fathers.  Our eyes are opened and our hearts are impressed as we ponder the character of our ancestors in their integrity, uprightness, honesty and manly virtues.  Such consideration and reflection cannot fail to incite us in constantly putting forth the greatest efforts to prove ourselves the worthy descendants of noble sires.  What man hath done man can do.  It would be idle folly, therefore, for any one to presume to rest on the laurels of his progenitors.

"Let us, then, be up and doing.
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait."

While we may reasonably expect that all our kindred will make themselves the possessors of at least one copy of this valuable history, (for its price is certainly placed within the reach of each one) we, at the same time hope that they will not only give the volume a place in their library shelves, but will study its pages and acquaint themselves with its facts.  The character of the work stamps it largely as a book of reference, one that needs to be consulted repeatedly, in order to be rightly understood and properly appreciated.  Frequent recurrences to its pages, and a constant looking up of its events and names will fill the mind with a proper knowledge of our genealogy, and enable us to speak intelligently concerning the matters that are related to us so closely.

It is a work, therefore, not of passing value and present interest only, but one that grows upon us as time passes on, and will prove a treasure even to our succeeding generations.

I have already written enough and ought to say farewell, but before doing so finally, let me impress the thought:  How will our lives compare with the lives of our forefathers?  Will the world be the better because we have lived in it?  Will our children and children's children rise up to call us blessed, because we have not lived in vain, and because we have made the best use of our talents, and have been faithful, devoted and true to our Divine Lord and Master?  We thus leave a good example behind us and pass from the scenes of this life into the blessedness of the life beyond.  With these thoughts we lay our pen down as we write a last and an affectionate farewell

REV. S. A. ZIEGENFUSS.

Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 30, 1900

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