One of the substantial and successful financiers of Macoupin county
is Ollin R. Rohrer, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of
Virden. He was born near Waverly, Illinois, October 12, 1866, a son of
John W. and Lillie A. (Allen) Rohrer. He was reared on a farm and early
learned the value of labor. In whatever he has engaged he has brought to
bear a persistency which is one of the essentials in the accomplishment
of any important undertaking. The success he has attained is the result
of initiative and natural ability combined with an unquestioned
integrity that has won for him the confidence and respect of the
community. His paternal grandfather, Jonathan Rohrer, was a native of
Kentucky and grew to maturity in the Blue Grass state. He then joined
the tide of emigration westward and became one of the pioneers of Morgan
county, Illinois. He married Polly Traughber and they became the parents
of seven children, one of whom was John W. Rohrer. In early manhood John
W. Rohrer was united in marriage to Miss Lillie A. Allen, a daughter of
Thomas B. and Martha (Hazelwood) Allen, both of whom were natives of
Greene county, Illinois, the daughter Lillie being one of five children
born to this worthy couple. Mr. and Mrs. Rohrer were the parents of four
children, namely: Alvin F., who is secretary and treasurer of the F. S.
Betts Company, of Chicago; Ollin R., of this review; a daughter now
deceased; and E. C., who is connected with the G. W. Walker Company, a
bond house of St. Louis, Missouri. The parents are both now deceased,
the father having died about twenty-five years ago, while the mother was
called away about fourteen years ago. Their remains were interred in
Waverly cemetery, Morgan county, Illinois, near their old home.
Ollin R. Rohrer was educated in the country schools of Morgan county and
in the high school at Waverly. He also attended the Bryant & Stratton
Business College at Chicago, where he pursued the commercial course.
Upon returning home he engaged in farming and later became clerk in a
bank at Waverly, thus gaining his first practical experience in the
banking business. After spending about two years in learning the details
of a vocation for which he has shown special adaptability, he came to
Virden and organized the Farmers and Merchants Bank, which was conducted
as a private banking institution until 1910, when it was incorporated as
a state bank with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Rohrer
has been active in its management from the time of its organization and
is still serving as cashier and manager. The bank is firmly established
and as its stockholders and officers are men of influence and
responsibility, it is recognized as one of the strong factors in the
upbuilding of the entire section of which Virden is the center.
On December 14, 1897, Mr. Rohrer was married to Miss Edith Shriver, a
daughter of Dr. William A. and Carrie (Howland) Shriver. The father is a
leading physician of Virden but the mother is deceased, having been
called away about fifteen years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Rohrer have two
children, Ethelene, who was born December 26, 1899; and Russell, born
May 12, 1901. Mr. Rohrer and his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Virden. Politically he is a democrat. He belongs to
the Masonic lodge at Virden and has taken the higher degrees, being a
Mystic Shriner and also a member of the Knights of Pythias. As he is a
man of pleasing address he readily makes acquaintances and is one of the
best known citizens of Virden. In his business affairs he has displayed
an energy and discrimination which have produced highly satisfactory
results and his spirit of enterprise gives bright promise of continued
success in years to come.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 395-396.
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