Roggenbuck Centennial Farm Celebration

Photo submitted by Bernice (Roggenbuck) Divine The Roggenbuck Family poses for a group photo. This is a love story that began over 100 years ago when Joseph Albert Roggenbuck sailed the Great Lakes to earn money to buy his dream - a farm. Joseph’s father had emigrated from Prussia and settled in the Sand Beach area. After several years of sailing on the steamer Douglas Houghton, on Feb. 13, 1909, Joseph purchased 120 acres, 2 and one-quarter miles west of Harbor Beach.

On May 17, 1911, Joseph married Mary Matilda Messing from Ruth. They were parents of four children: Elmer, Stella (Mandley), Irene (Shuette), and Irven, whom are all deceased. It was the true beginning of his dream.

The farm consistently has been owned and operated by descendents of Joseph and Mary for 100 years. Today, it is owned and operated by Gary and Valerie Roggenbuck. The house is owned by Eric and Shannon Roggenbuck, great-grandchildren of Joseph and Mary. The family celebrated a Centennial Farm Award on Aug. 8, 2009. The Historical Society of Michigan grants this Centennial Farm Award to farms that have been working farms by the same family for 100 years.

The celebration began on Friday evening. Hosting the event were Eric, Shannon, Samantha and Jessie with a fish fry and smoked, wild turkey. On Saturday, Eric and Joe Cass prepared a Pig Roast and Beef BBQ and Allen Schuette made the Chili.

The oldest family members present were Sherry and Don Mandley. The youngest was Catherine Seubert, 11 weeks.

Those who traveled the greatest distance were Heather and Catherine Seubert from Idaho.

A total of 68 descendents attended with 10 guests.

It was a rain-soaking day but near 5:30 p.m., the sky cleared in time for the traditional softball game, played between the guys and gals. (The men won after only 3 innings, 19-6.) The children enjoyed smashing a Piñata and scrambling for treats. All who could run by that time of day played “kick the can.” At dusk, a spectacular fireworks display colored the sky over the farm. It was the end to a perfect day.

The next reunion will be held on the farm in three years on the second Saturday of August 2012. We thank all sponsors: Kenneth, Christine, Eric, Shannon, Gary, Valerie, Kyle, Wes, Holly, Samantha and Jessie Roggenbuck for their work organizing this event.

Special thanks to Joseph and Mary Roggenbuck for we are so pleased to be a part of their wonderful dream - to buy a farm.

(Editor’s Note: If you would like to submit a Centennial article, send it by e-mail to huron@countypress. com!)