Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-11-27
From the CireIeriNe (O.) HcraM
A Romantic Tale Of Truth.
TO THE PUBLIC.

I
ancestral name is Waltmirc, to obviate
all suspicion Of having changed my
name through design, submit the fol.
lowing brief narrative, accompanied
with the statement of my brother.
was born in Switzerland, in the
Canton of Argau, and left that country
about the year 1916, migrating with
my fathers family, which consisted of
father, mother, and sven children all
sons. We arrived at Amsterdam, in
Holland, at which we purposed to take
shipping for Norh America. We were
there detained awhile by The difficulty
of procuring shipping. The vessel in
which we eventually secured passage
was so much crowded with emigrant
passengers, that previous to our setting
sail, most Obstructive pestiencc broke
out among the crew, 10 which the grea-
ter portion of the passengers fell VIC
tins. Among the dead were my fa-
thcr, mother, and three brothers also.
an uncle and his whole family, who had
travelled with us to that place. Thus
four brothers Of us, all in our childhood,
left to pursue our journey under those
unhappy circumstances, TO a strange
land, without a friend to direct or CONS
fort us.
After tedious and distressing pass
sage, we landed at Newcastle in the
State of Delaware. We then became
separated, and put out among strangers,
whose language we could neither speak
nor understand, aud had no knowledge
of each others place Of residence.
For about twenty-four years had no
correct information of the existence or
residence of either of my brothers, ex-
ccptlng my brother John. with whom ]
have had some intercourse, and who
was also known by the name of Roof.
As it regards myself, the first years
otmy residence in the United States
were spent in the lower part Of Penn
sylvania. From thence went TO Fred>
erick City, Maryland, where | learned
the skin dressing and glove business.
After remaing in Frederick about five
years, went to Hagerstown, in the
same State, where exercised my trade
OF Skindrcssing and glowing for about
four years. While residing in Ha>
gers,own married Miss Chrisliana
Criglow, Of Frederick.
From Hagerstown | removed to the
State of Ohio, living six months in Day
ton. | went from thence to Columbus,
where remained three wears, during
which time ] studied Divinity under
Professor Schmidt, of the German Se>
minary. In April, 1884, excepted n
call from the Evangelical Lutheran
Congregation in CircleviIic, apd took
charge thereof, where | have ever
since resided.
Until the 3lst day of last month,
had no knwledge of either of nv bro.
theirs, excepting JOHN, when. to my
surprise and joy, Mr.. Joseph Waltmire,
presented and iJe.fitied himself as my
brother, The loss of my true name has
probably prevented our discovering
each ",le' NJ an earlier period. This
change nl namG is left to conjecture, but
we srp,rosc may be accounted for in
tbs rnanncr The name of my uncle,
who, with his whole family, died on
board the vessel, as above stated, and
who was MY mothers brother, was
Roof Those who took me and my
/ brother John into their keeping, on our
arrival in the country. may have seen
that name on the ships register of pa,
pcrs, and may have taken US to be sur.
viving members of that family. Oul
extreme youth, and ignorance of tie
language, prevented us from putin,
them right: My brother, who is nov
here, was older, and of sutficie.lt age t
/ preserve his tame. ] also learn from
him that he has diScorcd and identifcC
our youngest brother.
have desire 20 resume my patcr
nal name, bnt the great Inconvenience
which would attend the change indu
ces me 10 retain the name by which
have riwayS been known since coul'
understand the English language. Th
determination will not be consldere'
disrespeclfu TO the memory OF my pa
rents, tor il is the name of one OF then
By the name of Roof ] was natural
lied, in that name | have transacted a
my business. BY that name | was mat
ried, in that name | received my ilcens
to preach the Gospel, in that name
took charge of the congregation, IN
by that name hold the title OF my pre-
trerty. To take another at this tim'