A Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931 Part 2 Bio of the Hon. Millard Fillmore Rohrer When Hon. William Groneweg was elected state senator Mr. Rohrer was elected to fill out his unexpired term as mayor of Council Bluffs; and in March, 1888, he was reelected for a full term on the Democratic ticket, and held that office until March 17, 1890. While in office the steamer M. F. Rohrer was launched at Lake Manawa, July 11, 1888; another incident of note was the opening of the wagon and street railway bridge between Council Bluffs and Omaha, in October, 1888, both Iowa and Nebraska participating in the ceremonies. The Iowa delegation led by Mayor and Mrs. Rohrer and Governor and Mrs. Larrabee, met that from Nebraska, led by Mayor and Mrs. W. J. Broatch of Omaha, and General and Mrs. Thayer, in the middle of the bridge, where appropriate and impressive ceremonies were held in honor of the occasion. In keeping with the time of that day two bottles of wine, furnished by a prominent citizen of Mills County, Iowa, were used at the celebration in commemorating the now historic event, a bottle being broken by each of the mayors' wives (Mrs. Rohrer and Mrs. Broatch). As the ladies broke the bottles the wines slowly trickled over the bridge and into the Missouri River. When Mayor Rohrer made his last address to the council he urged the improvement of what is now East Omaha, a part of Council Bluffs, and his advice, acted upon, has resulted in a prosperous community. Three streets of Council Bluffs, Millard Street, Fillmore Avenue and Rohrer Avenue, have been named after him, and he is the only resident of Council Bluffs to be so honored. Mr. Rohrer is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, Elk and Rotarian, and he also is a member of the Council Bluffs Real Estate Board, which recently voted him its most popular member, of the Omaha Club, to which he has belonged since 1899, and a first year member of the Knights of AK-Sar-Ben in Omaha. In addition to the above he is a member of the American Institute of Park Executives, and attends all of the national and international meetings. The institute has a society known as "Yellow Dog," and at all of the conventions Mr. Rohrer is official musician as well as at all of the annual initiations, playing on his "magic flute." On September 11, 1877, Mr. Rohrer was married to Miss Sarah Beach Beers, who died December 23, 1925. They had three children: John Beach Beers Rohrer, born December 31, 1878, died February 8, 1880, at Council Bluffs, Iowa; Isaac Beers Rohrer, born in August, 1881, at Council Bluffs; and Caroline Test Rohrer Theinhardt, born April 4, 1884, at Council Bluffs. There are two grandchildren, Caroline Rohrer Theinhardt and Pauline Mears Rohrer. Since Mr. Rohrer was elected a member of the Council Bluffs park board many improvements have been made, as well as scenic drives and boulevard systems, and the more than 1,000 acres owned by the board are well improved, and many acres beautifully laid out. The parks comprise Baylis, Cochran, Cook, Fairmount, Graham, Greenwood, Graham Avenue Parkway, Houston, Island, Illinois Central Railroad, Kimball, Lake View, Lincoln, Nathan P. Dodge Memorial Park, Susanna Lockwood Dodge Memorial Park, Prospect Park, Park Circle; and Sarah Beech Beers Rohrer Memorial Point, Rainbow Memorial, Rotary Point, Riverside, South Side, Sunset and Sloan parks. When asked how he preserves his health and strength Mr. Rohrer declares that the following are his rules: "Be yourself. "Speak ill of no person. If you cannot speak well of him, speak not at all. "Avoid worry and anger as you would pestilence. They bring wrinkles and shorten life. "Strive to do right and see the bright side of things. Be cheerful and radiate sunshine. A kind word turneth away wrath. It leaves a good impression. It may mean your fortune. "Avoid argument. Express your opinion and let that suffice. An argument has lost many a friendship. "Live right. It means happiness and longevity. "Always keep your word. "Live by the Golden Rule. That is the whole groundwork of Christianity." To be Continued Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa History Project _http://iagenweb.org/history/_ (http://iagenweb.org/history/) Scott County, Iowa _http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm_ (http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219671244x1201345076/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)