The Rothlisberger Family Legacy

Our Jacob and Susanna (Betschen) Rothlisberger family comes from a hardy stock of faithful and steadfast individuals who immigrated from Switzerland to the United States of America.  It took six weeks beginning in Prangins, Switzerland to finally arrive in St Johns, Arizona. Not all of their children joined them in coming to America. They traveled by train, ferry, steamship, train again, ferry again and then by horse and wagon arriving in St Johns on July 4, 1897.

Our family did not have great wealth. They lived humbly by working hard and enjoyed spending time together as a loving family. They worked together, sang together, worshiped together and loved one another dearly. Miriam (pronounced Myrum) Holgate Rothlilsberger was heard often singing this hymn during her day:
Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words
1. Let us oft speak kind words to each other
At home or where'er we may be;
Like the warblings of birds on the heather,
The tones will be welcome and free.
They'll gladden the heart that's repining,
Give courage and hope from above,
And where the dark clouds hide the shining,
Let in the bright sunlight of love.
(Chorus)
Oh, the kind words we give shall in memory live
And sunshine forever impart.
Let us oft speak kind words to each other;
Kind words are sweet tones of the heart.
2. Like the sunbeams of morn on the mountains,
The soul they awake to good cheer;
Like the murmur of cool, pleasant fountains,
They fall in sweet cadences near.
Let's oft, then, in kindly toned voices,
Our mutual friendship renew,
Till heart meets with heart and rejoices
In friendship that ever is true.
Text: Joseph L. Townsend, 1849-1942
Music: Ebenezer Beesley, 1840-1906