The Roth family of Baden, one of the Rhine provinces of Germany, was established there many years ago. The first of the family herein noted was Joseph Roth, born in Baden, Germany, about the year 1810. He was a farmer of the province and followed that occupation all his active years. He married Christina Brauner, born in the same province. They cultivated their small farm until 1847, when with their only child, a boy of fourteen years, they sailed for the United States. After an unusually slow passage of sixty-four days they landed in the city of New York, continuing shortly afterward to Albany, New York, which was ever afterward their home, both dying there, he in 1870 and she in 1860.
(II) Henry, son of Joseph and Christina (Brauner) Roth, was born in Baden, Germany, October 22, 1833. He was in his fourteenth year when his parents settled in Albany, New York. He was educated in the Baden schools and also attended the schools in Albany. In course of time he secured employment with the Hudson River Railroad Company, with whom he remained some time, then was with the Boston & Troy Railroad Company for twelve years employed in the car department. Leaving that company he next was employed by the New York Central Railroad in their car shops at Albany. He remained in the employ of that company for twenty-six years. During these years he had been wisely investing his savings in South Pearl street vacant lots, which so increased in value that at the end of the twenty-six years with the railroad company he was able retire on a handsome competency and live his last years in ease and plenty. He is a Protestant in religion, and a Republican in politics. He holds fraternal membership in Guttenburg Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and American Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married, in Albany, in 1858, Susanna Winstein, born in the village of Steinfurth, near Heidelberg, Germany; came to the United States in 1852; lived for a few years at Quincy, Illinois, then settled in Albany, New York, where she now resides with her aged husband. She is a daughter of Jacob Winstein, a German farmer, who with his wife lived and died in Germany; members of the Lutheran church. Two other daughters came to the United States, Margaret and Rosana Winstein, both married and deceased, leaving issue. Children of Henry and Susanna (Winstein) Roth:
- Henry J., born December 2, 1862, with the New York Central Railroad Company; unmarried.
- George W., born in Albany, August 26, 1865; is a compositor on the Albany Evening Journal; married Elizabeth Deieuner; daughter Marion, born in 1902.
- William Henry, born January 16, 1879; in the government employ as letter carrier in Albany; married Susanna Nippel; son William, born in 1907.