George Francis Roth (1856–1927) was a successful Rochester businessman, public figure, and philanthropist. He served, for a time, on the Board of City Assessors; and was, later, appointed Collector at the Rochester port of Charlotte. He served there two terms, including the years when the Charlotte to Cobourg train-car ferries began operation. He was married, with no children.
Family George F. Roth was born in Rochester, N.Y., in September 1856, to German-born parents Frederick and Frederica Roth.Devoy, J., Compiler. Rochester and the Post Express: A History of the City of Rochester from the Earliest Times. …. [including] Biographical Sketches. 1895. Page 185. Accessed online January 20, 2026 at URL: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc1.0112392138&seq=191. Roth’s parents’ German heritage is provided in Roth’s 1900, U.S. census record. That record also confirms his September 1856 birthdate; some sources cite his birthyear as 1857 or “about 1857”. He had two older siblings, Amelia and Julia Roth,Confirmed in U.S. Federal Census records for the Roth household in I860 and 1870. and attended public schools and high school in Rochester.The Times-Union. (Rochester, New York). “George F. Roth is Dead from a Heart Ailment”. Sep 24, 1927. Page 9.
He married Christine Klaile in 1889.New York State marriage record for July 29, 1889. Her parents, like George's, were both born in Germany.U.S. Federal Census Record for Christine Roth, 1910.
Business career Roth was already working, as a grocery clerk, when he was just 13 years old and still in school.U.S. Federal Census Record for Roth household, 1870. After high school, he entered the lumber business, first in Rochester, then for eight years in Denver.The Times-Union. “George F. Roth is Dead from a Heart Ailment”. Sep 24, 1927. Page 9.
By 1889, back in Rochester, he had bought into the Hilbert Truck Company.Ibid. That company, which was later renamed the Rochester Carting Company, was hired in 1892 to install the large soldier's monument in Rochester's Washington Square.The Times-Union. “Now Rochester Carting Company”. Jan 05, 1894. Page 7. Roth became, by 1900, the firm's vice president and manager.Democrat and Chronicle. “George Roth Honored”. Dec. 19, 1900. Page 9.
His company started to branch into renting storage facilities, which led in 1924 to a spin-off business: “Rochester Storage Warehouse”. They offered fireproof space in a new building, which could store belongings, furniture and valuables like carpets, pianos, automobiles, and so on.The Times-Union. “New Storage Warehouse open.” Sep 15, 1924. Page 14. At the time of his passing, in 1927, Roth was President of both the Rochester Carting Company and the Rochester Storage Warehouse.The Times-Union. “Widow Beneficiary of Roth Estate.” Oct 15, 1927. Page 24.
His other business interests included becoming, in 1905, a director of the Rochester Electric Railway Company, which owned a trolley line from Rochester to Charlotte, Rochester's port community.Democrat and Chronicle. “Officers and Directors Elected.” Jun 14, 1905. Page 8.
Before that, in 1895, Roth was one of the investors and directors of a new firm, the Rochester Cash Register Company.Democrat and Chronicle. “A Rochester Enterprise.” Oct 29, 1895. Page 1 Nonetheless, the firm went into receivership in 1899, and its patents were sold to the National Cash Register Company.Democrat and Chronicle. “Receiver for Cash Register Company.” Sep 19, 1899. Page 8. Legal notice to dissolve Roth's company was posted in 1900.Democrat and Chronicle. Published notice to the court. Jul 9, 1900. Page 9.
Like many executives of his level, Roth was active over the years in various committees of his city's Chamber of Commerce. One example was serving, in 1903, as a vice-president of its board of trustees.Democrat and Chronicle. Published account of the Chamber of Commerce’s monthly business. Nov 20, 1903. Page 14. Documents that Third Vice President George F. Roth presided over the proceedings.
Community Service and Politics George Francis Roth was well known in Rochester for his active involvement in social and philanthropic organizations. These included, among numerous others: The Rochester Club, the Rod and Gun Club, the Masonic Order, the Elks;Devoy. Op Cit. the Rochester Yacht Club, and as Trustee of the Salem Evangelical Church.Democrat and Chronicle. “Plans Made for Funeral of G. F. Roth.” Sep 25, 1927. Page 8.
Proud of his German roots, Roth was a leader in fundraising efforts for building a German hospital in an underserved part of the city.Democrat and Chronicle. “First Name on Hospital List.” Jan 31, 1907. Page 15. He was also a long-time supporter of the German Home for the Aged in Rochester.Democrat and Chronicle. “Plans Made for Funeral of G. F. Roth.” Sep 25, 1927. Page 8.
Roth was, politically, a Republican, who played various roles. For example, in 1900, he was elected as his ward's representative to a convention tasked to select congressional-district delegates to the Republican national convention.Democrat and Chronicle. “A Day of Primaries.” Mar 28, 1900. Page 13. In October that year, he attended a “triumphal welcome” to Rochester for Theodore Roosevelt, then the Governor; and Roth was listed among numerous “vice presidents” for the Republican Party.Democrat and Chronicle. “Rochester’s Triumphal Welcome….” Oct 31, 1900. Page 12. After Governor-elect Benjamin Odell was elected that fall, he appointed Roth as a personal aide with the rank of captain.Democrat and Chronicle. “George Roth Honored”. Dec. 19, 1900. Page 9. Some sources spell the Governor's name "O'dell"; however, most sources, and his grave marker, show "Odell".
Benefitting from his efforts and Republican connections, Roth obtained over the years some patronage appointments. Around 1895, he was the party's choice for City Assessor.Devoy. Op Cit. In 1903, he was appointed and confirmed by the senate as the Genesee Port Collector, and Custodian of the Government Buildings in Rochester.Democrat and Chronicle. “Two Clerks Needed”. Dec. 10, 1903. Page 14. As Custodian, he invited proposal bids for repair work and safety improvements on, for example, the court house and post office.Democrat and Chronicle. Announcement of call for bids. Apr 12, 1904 · Page 14.
Roth's first term as Port Collector overlapped the establishment, in 1905, and the beginning of operation, in 1907, of the train-car ferry between Rochester's port and Cobourg, Ontario.Goodman, W. “New York’s International Port at Rochester: Some History” in New York Almanack. Accessed online Jan 24, 2026, at URL: https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2026/01/charlotte-rochester-port-history/ The ferry was a joint operation of the Buffalo, Rochester, and Pittsburgh Railway and Canada's Grand Trunk Railway. This impacted Roth's work at the port, due to a great increase in port business; and also, because the ice-breaking ferry ran year-round, so his office had to remain open in winter months.Democrat and Chronicle. Published notice of Roth’s reappointment as Collector for the port. Jan 19, 1908. Page 10.
George Roth died suddenly of heart disease in 1927 when visiting friends. He had retired from his patronage appointments but was still President of his carting and warehouse businesses.The Times-Union. “George F. Roth is Dead from a Heart Ailment”. Sep 24, 1927. Page 9.
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