Manuscript Group Finding Aid

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MG-363    Andrew B. Rote Collection, 1806-1950

3 boxes     24 folders     1.5 cubic ft.

Description: Collection contains the business records of C.V. Rote & Co., which later became A. B. Rote & Co. The Lancaster company specialized in awnings and ironwork. Deeds, mortgages, and other property records are for property owned by the Rotes and used for their business. The record books of the company show accounting, clients, cash flow, bids, and inventory. A catalog of architectural bronze and iron works illustrates their products. There are also stock certificates for a number of local and regional businesses such as Farmers Trust Company, Union Trust Company, and Meadia Heights Golf Club.

Historical Background

C.V. Rote & Co. was founded by Charles V. Rote, Jacob F. Bender, and John W. Holman on 3 March 1881, specifically for the manufacture of awnings. Bender and Holman provided the financing, space for the shop, the time they could commit, and the use of their horse and buggy. Rote provided his labor and time in manufacturing the awnings.

Their initial success continued when they added architectural bronze and iron work. Andrew B. Rote took over the business in 1894, which was then located at 111-117 E. Chestnut Street, Lancaster. The business records in this collection begin in 1881 and continue until 1947.

Gift of Andrew B. Rote, October 2003.

Box 1

Folder 1 Stocks

Insert 1 Two stock certificates for the Union Trust Company of Lancaster. 1 August 1924, 24 August 1924.

Eleven common stock shares for the National Building Units Corp. 7 December 1926.

Three stock certificates for the Farmers Trust Company. 20 January 1931.

Insert 2 Stock certificate and receipt for Penn-Mont Mining and Milling Company. 24 April 1907.

Stock certificates and acknowledgment letter for the Pennsylvania Chautauqua. 2 February 1920.

Two stock certificates for the Highway Emergency Service. 2 November 1922.

Receipt for shares in the Meadia Heights Golf Club. Lancaster. 12 May 1923.

Correspondence regarding stocks from The Lancaster Concrete Tile Company. 1926.

Folder 2 Business Listing

Insert 1 Handwritten, alphabetized list of Lancaster business contacts. No date.

Folder 3 Deeds, Bonds, Mortgages

Insert 1 Settlement certificate for the estate of Henry K. Breneman for home on 47 North Lime Street, Lancaster. 23 October 1937.

Conveyance agreement on 47 North Lime Street between Laura C. Burke and A. B. Rote. 5 November 1937.

Deed to Louisa A. Breneman from the trustees to the English Presbyterian Church, Lancaster, for lot of ground on Grant Street. 16 March 1875.

Insert 2  Deed between Esther R. Barton to John Carr for house and lot on East King Street, Lancaster. 24 March 1847.

Deed for Lydia Stelpe (administrator for the estate of Adam Hubley) to Grace Parr for two lots on Orange Street and Lime Street, Lancaster. 19 July 1806.

Deed between John Carr and John A. Sprenger regarding two lots on north side of East King Street. 13 May 1857.

Insert 3 Bond and warrant from Ralph V. Alexander to Aaron C. Kepler. 28 March 1913.

Bond and Mortgage from Mary Kepler (executor for Aaron C. Kepler) to Mary M. Kepler for 141, 143, 145, and 147 East King Street, Lancaster (2 buildings). 10 November 1922.

Bond and mortgage from Ralph V. Alexander to Andrew B. Rote for 141, 143, 145 and 147 East King Street, Lancaster. 11 April 1928.

Bond and mortgage from Ralph V. Alexander to the Guaranty Trust Company of Lancaster regarding 141, 143, 145 and 147 East King Street. 19 August 1927. Recorded 20 August 1927.

Insert 4 Articles of agreement between John S. Rengier, Eva R. Appel, Miriam R Baker (executor of Charles F. Rengier) and Andrew B. Rote regarding 136 and 140 East Lemon Street, Lancaster. 22 November 1919.

Deed from John S. Rengier, Eva Rengier, Appel and Miriam Rengier Baker (trustees for Charles F. Tengier Jr.) to Andrew B. Rote regarding 136 East Lemon Street, Lancaster. 31 March 1920. Registered 16 November 1926.

Insert 5 Deed from Alpheaus S. Groff to Anna M. Kroeger, Louise Miller and Margaret Barras for land north of East King Street, Lancaster. 17 December 1925. Recorded 24 December 1925.

Cover letter regarding the following deeds from Bernard J. Myers to Andrew B. Rote. 20 October 1950.

Deed for 135 Grant Street, Lancaster. Frank L. Sprecher to Alpheaus S. Groff. 20 November 1923. Recorded same date.

Deed from Alpheaus S. and Ella L. Groff to Anna M. Kraeger, Louise Miller and Margaret Barras for piece of land on north East King Street (between Duke Street and Lime Street), Lancaster. 24 December 1925.

Deed from Anna Martha Miller's heirs: Anna M. Kroeger, Louise Miller, Margaret Barras to Alpheaus S. Groff for strip of land on north King Street (between Duke Street and Lime Street), Lancaster. 17 December 1925.

Deed from Henry and Lillian M. Gottselig, Martin E. and Frances H. Keen to Alpheaus S. Groff for land and warehouse on south side to East Grant Street. 2 April 1927. Recorded same day.

Deed from Lillian A. Harrish and The Peoples Trust Company of Lancaster (executors for Lydia M. Yohn, deceased, to Alpheaus S. Groff for 137, 139 East King Street, Lancaster. 14 December 1925. Recorded 15 December 1926.

Folder 4

Insert 1 Collateral judgment bond between Walter C. Zook and Andrew B. Rote. 11 April 1928.

Collateral judgment bond between Walter C. Zook and Andrew B. Rote. 11 April 1928.

Agreement as to mortgages between Walter C. Zook and Andrew B. Rote. 12 April 1928.

Deed between George C. Haagen (executor of Walter C. Zook, deceased) and Joseph V. Gottselig. 19 June 1929.

Assignment of bond and mortgage from Walter C. Zook to Henry Gottselig and Martin E. Keen. 1 February 1939.

Cover letter for the above documents to Andrew B. Rote from Bernard J. Myers, Jr. Letterhead of Zimmerman, Myers & Kready, Lancaster. 2 October 1950.

Insert 2 Mortgage between John P. Gruger and Edward Wiley and John B. Warfel (executors of William M. Wiley, deceased). 24 May 1886. Satisfied 3 February 1894.

Insert 3 Deed between William A. and Mary Catharine Brinkman and Lanious B. Keiper for land on Lemon Street, Lancaster. 1 October 1913.

Insert 4 Deed between Alexander F. Donnelly and Ida L. C. Snyder for a house and lot no. 416 on East King Street, Lancaster. 1 June 1896.

Mortgage between Alexander F. Donnelly and Tobias R. Kreider. 2 April 1889.

Insert 5 Deed between Catharine Mullen and Margaret Lipp for house and lot on E. King Street, Lancaster. 7 May 1856. Transferred 26 April 1876.

Insert 6 Deed between Christian and Sarah Kieffer and George M. Kline for [44] N. Lime Street, Lancaster. 19 March 1860.

Title search documentation from The Conestoga National Bank of Lancaster and Anna Key Palmer (trustees in the estate of Anna Elizabeth Kline) to A. B. Rote for 44 N. Lime Street, Lancaster. 30 June 1939.

Insert 7 Deed between Jane D. Hunter and Josephine Elizabeth Haefner for a house and lot on N. Plum Street, Lancaster. 31 March 1909.

Deed between Harry C. and Josephine E. Haefner and Jane D. Hunter for a house and lot on N. Plum Street, Lancaster. 31 March 1909.

Deed between Harry C. and Josephine E. Haefner and Rosie E. Messner for a house and lot on the northwest corner of E. King Street and N. Plum Street, Lancaster. 31 March 1909. With a separate note regarding Mary Ginder.

Deed between Rosie E. and William E. Messner and Andrew B. Rote for house and lot on the northwest corner of E. King Street and N. Plum Street, Lancaster. 31 December 1914. With a land draft of 351-353 E. King Street for H. C. Haefner by J. Carpenter, 10 March 1909.

Deed between Josephine E. and Harry C. Haefner to Rosie Messner for house and lot on N. Plum Street, Lancaster. 30 December 1914.

Insert 8 Deed between B. F. Rowe, High Sheriff to Mrs. Eliza M. Black for a lot on E. King Street, Lancaster with the improvements sold as the property of John Carr. 22 January 1859. With land draft and when sold to John A. Spenger 26 September 1865.

Deed between Eliza M. and James Black and Jacob B. Lichty for house and stores at 133 and 135 E. King Street, Lancaster. 9 February 1876.

Deed between James and Eliza M. Black and Anna Martha Miller for house and stores at 133 and 135 E. King Street, Lancaster. 31 March 1881.

Insert 9 Deed from John Sides, High Sheriff to Paloma Rodrigo for a house and lot on E. Lemon Street, Lancaster sold as the property of Frank R. Howell and J. P. Gruger. 19 August 1892.

Deed between Paloma Rodrigo and Charles F. Rengier, Jr. for house and lot on E. Lemon Street, Lancaster. 22 March 1907.

Petition for the sale of 136 E. Lemon Street, the estate of Charles F. Rengier, Jr., deceased. Orphans’ Court, December Term 1909, case no. 29.

Folder 5

Insert 1 Deed between A. B. Rote and Lillian M. Rote to Elias H. Eshleman for two pieces of land. 7 February 1924. Recorded 20 July 1926.

Three-page copy of land described in the above deed.

Insert 2 Bond and warrant for below listed property, from Andrew B. Rote to William M. Kinzer.

Mortgage between Andrew B. Rote and William M. Kinzer for land and building on the northeast corner of East Walnut Street and Cherry Street (between Duke Street and Lime Street) in Lancaster. 22 March 1899.

Insert 3 Deed between Laura C. Burks and A. B. Rote for property at 47 North Lime Street, Lancaster. 19 October 1937. Recorded 5 November 1937.

Conveyance of property between Laura C. Burks (for Henry Kendig Breneman) and A. B. Rote for 47 North Lime Street, Lancaster. 5 November 1937.

Indenture between Conestoga National Bank, Lancaster General Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Andrew B. Rote for 137 East Grant Street (land and garage), Lancaster. 28 December 1938. Recorded 30 December 1938.

Insert 4 Indenture between Henry and Friederika Shabel and Catharina Bender for the Fairmount Hotel on the south side of East King Street between John Street and Ann Street, Lancaster. 18 September 1877. Registered 20 September 1877.

Deed between Catharina Bender and Harry C. Ritchey for the Fairmount Hotel on the southeast corner of East King Street and Plum Street, Lancaster. 5 April 1900. Registered 3 March 1926.

Deed between Harry C. Ritch, deceased, and May Ritchy (Annie S. Ritchy's heir) to Andrew B. Rote for 402 East King Street (formerly known as the Fairmount Hotel). 1 April 1930. Registered the same date.

Insert 5 Indenture between Nancy Keiper and Charles B. Long to Andrew B. Rote for apartment building at 129 East Lemon Street, Lancaster. 17 October 1934. Registered 18 October 1934.

Agreement between Nancy Keiper Long and Andrew W. Rote regarding sale of 129 East Lemon Street, Lancaster. 16 October 1934.

Insert 6 Indenture between Elizabeth Hoefel (widow of Frederick Hoefel), Elizabeth Killinger, Philip Hoefel, George Hoefel, Lena H. and Clifford A. Funk, Mary and W. Vincent Silverwood, and Frank T. Thurlow (transferee of Elizabeth Killinger) to A. B. Rote for 133 East Walnut Street and 134 Madison Street, Lancaster. 1 October 1916. Recorded 14 November 1916.

Quit claim release for the above property from Elizabeth Hoefel, Minnie E. and George Hoefel, William Hoefel, Lena H. and Clifford A. Funk, Elizabeth Killinger, Alexander S. Koser, Frederick and Mae Hoefel, Mary and W. Vincent Silverwood, and Philip Hoefel to A. B. Rote. 1 April 1921. Recorded 20 April 1921.

Insert 7 Bond and Warrant from A. B. Rote to H. M. Mayer and Hebron M Herr (for J. Hoffman Hershey, deceased). 1 April 1905.

Mortgage, same as above, for 131 East Walnut Street. 1 April 1905.

Insert 8 Deed from Frank McLaughlin (administrator for Daniel McLaughlin) to Henry M. Houser for property on East Walnut Street, Lancaster. 29 August 1899.

Deed from D. H. McLaughlin, John J. McLaughlin, and Charles J. McLaughlin to Frank McLaughlin for property on East Walnut Street, Lancaster. 21 December 1899.

Deed from Frank B. McLaughlin (administrator for John W. Hiemenz) and Henry Drachbar to Andrew B. Rote for three lots on the south side of East Walnut Street. 27 March 1902.

Folder 6

Insert 1 Ground rent deed from the Pennsylvania Company for Insurance to Mary Regina Rote Myers, Andrew H. Rote, Lillian May Rote Martin, and Andrew B. Rote for 44 North Lime Street, Lancaster. 7 July 1939.

Deed from A. B. Rote to Andrew H. Rote, Mary Regina Rote Myers, and Lillian May Rote Martin for 141, 143, 145, and 147 East King Street, Lancaster. 31 December 1941.

Insert 2 Deed from Margaret and Phillip Butt, Louisa and John Brueder, Anna M. and George Aukamp, Joseph C. and Annie B. Bender, Christian Bender, Harry and Cora Henry, Antoinette Henry, Anna K. Henry, and Charles J. Henry to A. B. Rote for 11 and 13 South Plum Street and 511 East Marion Street, Lancaster. 13 March 1912.

Agreement between Andrew B. Rote and Roy P. Frey for 136 East Lemon Street, Lancaster. 24 August 1920.

Ground Rent Deed between the Pennsylvania Insurance Company and Andrew B. Rote for 402 East King Street (formerly the "Fairmount Hotel"), Lancaster. 10 May 1930.

Insert 3 Deed from Joshua Scott to Dorothea Brien for house and lot on south side of East King Street, Lancaster. 9 May 1871.

Sale agreement between William Schilling (executor for Lorenz Schilling) to A. B. Rote for 410 East King Street, Lancaster. 19 December 1908.

Deed between Mary Shirk Mercer, Joseph R. Mercer, and Della Shick to A. B. Rote for 351 East King Street, Lancaster. 25 March 1922.

Bond and mortgage from Mary M. Kepler to Andrew B. Rote for 141, 143, 145, and 147 East King Street, Lancaster. 29 March 1913. Recorded 12 April 1928.

Insert 4 Consolidation agreement for various cinder concrete block companies and the Lancaster Concrete Tile Company, Inc. Henry Boettcher signer for stock swap. 7 June 1926.

Folder 7

Insert 1 Three small notebooks from A. B. Rote & Company, Ornamental and Structural Iron & Steel Works, Lancaster. Books contain onsite bid estimates with drawings for contracted work. No date.

Box 2

Folder 8 Account book. Front page is the formation agreement between Charles V. Rote, Jacob F. Bender, and John W. Holman for co-partnership to manufacture awnings. Company to be called C. V. Rote & Company. Agreement dated 3 March 1881. March 1881 - December 1897.

Folder 9 Account book. 1893-1896.

Folder 10 Account book. 1 June 1894 - 21 March 1896.

Folder 11 Account book. 23 March 1896 - 31 December 1898.

Folder 12 Account book. 1 January 1899 - December 1905.

Folder 13 Account book. 22 May 1906 - 31 December 1906.

Folder 14 Book of company stock listings, cash flow, interest, and bills payable. 1896-1898.

Folder 15 Bid book. October 1893 - 22 March 1895.

Box 3

Folder 16 Bid book. 1 January 1898 - 19 September 1905.

Folder 17 Bid book. 25 September 1905 - 7 September 1907.

Folder 18 Bid book. September 1907 - 17 January 1910.

Folder 19 Payroll book. 1 January 1894 - 12 May 1896.

Folder 20 Payroll book. 13 January 1898 - 19 September 1903.

Folder 21 Time and expense on contracts book. 1894-1896.

Folder 22 Book listing erection material, officer furniture, and fixtures. 1927-1942.

Folder 23 Inventory of shop machinery and equipment. 1904-1916.

Folder 24 Book of architectural bronze and iron works illustrations. No date.

This page last updated 17 August 2006