George J. Roth

    George J. Roth, one of Boonville's most progressive and enterprising merchants, is a native of Bavaria, his birth occurring January 17, 1851. He is the next youngest in a family of eight children born to Andrew and Eva Roth, both of whom were also natives of Bavaria. In 1855 the family immigrated to the United States, first settling in Ohio, where Mr. Roth followed blacksmithing three years, then removing to Warrick County and engaged in farming. Mr. Roth died in this township (Boon), but his widow is yet living at the advanced age of seventy-four years.

    George J. Roth was raised a farmer's boy, receiving in youth only a common school education. At nineteen years of age he began clerking in a dry goods store at Boonville, but the year following went to to Evansville and engaged in a like occupation. A short time after this he returned to Boonville and was made a partner in the house of Smith, Hudspeth & Co., afterward withdrawing his interest, and clerking. In 1879 he purchased the store, and since then has figured in the history of Boonville as one of its leading merchants.

    He is a Republican, an Odd Fellow, and was married October 5, 1876, to Miss Ida T. Smith, by whom he is the father of one son, Gustavus G., who was born October 4, 1878.

Source: History of Warrick, Spencer, and Perry Counties, Indiana, By: Goodspeed Bros. & Co., 1885.