Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p.
440
Surnames: ROTHERMEL, ZIMMERMAN, FETHEROLF, HECKMAN, HEFFNER,
IAEGER, DREIBELBIS, SASSAMAN, JONES, MAUGER, DE PEYSTER, MCKENTY
Abraham H. Rothermel. The large and influential Rothermel family of
Pennsylvania is descended 
from John Rothermel, who was born in Wachbach, a
province of Holland, in 1688. In 1708, he married Sybilla
Zimmerman, a sister of General Zimmerman, of his native land. In
1730, after the birth of one daughter and five sons, he set sail
from Rotterdam, with his entire family, for America. John Rothermel
died at sea and never saw the shores of the country for which he
started. His wife and children arrived in Philadelphia Aug. 29,
1730. The daughter, Anna Maria, who had married Peter Fetherolf, in
Wachbach, in 1729, settled with her husband in Macungie township,
Lehigh county. The five sons, namely: Lawrence, Paul, Peter, John
and Christian, all settled in Berks county.
Abraham H. Rothermel, the subject of this
sketch, is a descendant in the fourth generation from John
Rothermel, of Wachbach. His father, Abraham Rothermel (1822-1903),
was a son of Peter Rothermel (1773-1856), who was a son of Peter
Rothermel, the son of the aforesaid John Rothermel. All of Mr.
Rothermel's paternal ancestors in America, with the exception of
his father, whose remains are interred in Spies's Church Cemetery,
lie buried in the Rothermel family cemetery, at Walnuttown, Berks
county.
Mr. Rothermel's mother was Magdalena (Heckman)
Rothermel (1828-1888), daughter of Adam and Catharine (Heffner)
Heckman, of Alsace township. His paternal grandmother was Magdalena
Iaeger, daughter of Frederick Iaeger, of Oley township (1748-1822),
and his paternal great-grandmother was Magdalena (Dreibelbis)
Rothermel, daughter of Jacob Dreibelbis. The last named, as well as
Frederick Iaeger, above mentioned, were soldiers of note in the war
of the American Revolution.
Abraham H. Rothermel, one of Reading's ablest
lawyers, and ex-district attorney, is the youngest son of Abraham
and Magdalena (Heckman) Rothermel. He was born in Maiden-creek
township, Berks county, March 8, 1863. His parents removed to the
Quaker community in Amity township when he was two years of age,
and there his youthful character was moulded under the pure and
refined influence of a Christian home. He attended the schools of
the township, being qualified at an early age to teach a township
school, and this he did for several years with boyish dignity and
marked aptitude, more than half the pupils being older than
himself. After teaching several years, he entered upon a course of
preparatory study at Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa., and later
at the Franklin and Marshall Academy. In September, 1883, he
entered Franklin an Marshall College, at Lancaster, Pa., from which
institution he was graduated in 1887 with the degree of Bachelor of
Arts. Later the same institution conferred the degree of Master of
Arts upon him. Immediately after his graduation from college, Mr.
Rothermel took up the study of law under the preceptorship of the
late Hon. Augustus S. Sassaman, and he was admitted to practice in
the courts of Berks county, Nov. 24, 1888; and later, on motion of
Richmond L. Jones, Esq., was admitted to practice in the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania.
In November, 1889, Mr. Rothermel entered into a
partnership in the practice of law with David F. Mauger, Esq.,
under the firm name of Rothermel & Mauger, and the partnership,
which has been eminently successful, has continued to the present
time, the firm enjoying a large and representative clientage. In
politics Mr. Rothermel has always been a consistent Democrat, and
he has done valuable service for his party in many campaigns. He is
an eloquent and forceful public speaker, and has been on the
platform on many notable occasions. His fame as an orator is not
confined to political circles. In May, 1897, he delivered the
oration at the laying of the corner-stone of the Watts de Peyster
Library at Franklin and Marshall College, as the representative of
the donor, Gen. J. Watts de Peyster, of New York; and again, in
June, 1898, he was selected by General de Peyster to make the
formal presentation of the library to the board of trustees of the
college. From 1890 to 1893 Mr. Rothermel filled the office of
county solicitor of Berks. The conscientious and fearless manner in
which he performed his duties did much to procure for him the
almost unanimous nomination of his party for the office of district
attorney, to which he was elected in 1898, and he filled this
office with distinction, for a term of three years from 1899 to
1902.
Mr. Rothermel is a member of the Second Reformed
Church of Reading; the Berks County Historical Society; the
Pennsylvania-German Society; the Wyomissing Club; and the Phi Kappa
Psi Fraternity.
In November, 1898, Mr. Rothermel married Miss
Eva McKenty, of Reading, Pa., and their marriage has been blessed
with two sons, Henry McKenty and Frederic de Peyster. They reside
at No. 130 North Fifth street in the winter and spend their summers
at their beautiful home near Carsonia Park, in Lower Alsace
township.
p. 928
Surnames: ROTHERMEL, RODARMEL, ZIMMERMAN, BERNDT, SCHAEFFER,
STOUDT, WEIDENHAMMER, STEIN, HEITER, SCHUCKER, DETURCK, MENGEL,
SMITH, MOYER, KLINE
Adam S. Rothermel is a resident of the western end of Richmond
township, where he owns a fertile farm of seventy-six acres, which
is in a fine state of cultivation. On this property is a
substantial stone residence, surrounded by a large, well-kept lawn,
the property as a whole being one the finest of its size in the
township. Mr. Rothermel was born Aug. 14, 1850, son of Leonard
Rothermel.
Johannes Rodarmel (Rothermel), the progenitor of
this numerous Berks county family, was born in Wachbach, Germany,
in 1688, and was married in 1708 to Sybilla Zimmerman, a native of
his country. On Aug. 29, 1730, his widow and six children landed at
Philadelphia, Pa., he having died on the voyage to this country and
been buried at sea. The children were: Anna, Lawrence, Paul, Peter,
John and Christian.
Leonard Rothermel, grandson of Johannes, was
born in 1751, and died Oct. 25, 1829. He was a farmer and extensive
land owner of Maiden-creek township, and married Susannah Berndt,
born in 1762, daughter of John Berndt; she died in April, 1819, the
mother of a large family.
Leonard Rothermel, son of Leonard, was one of
the old pedagogues of Berks county, teaching in the German language
a pay school of twelve pupils in Maiden-creek township, and in
addition he performed the duties of his farm, which was situated
not far from the present home of Mr. Adam S. Rothermel. Leonard
Rothermel was an intelligent man, and became well and favorably
known as an educator. He espoused the principles of the Democratic
party, but although he took a great interest in its success would
never allow his name to be used as a candidate for public office.
He was married to Catherine, daughter of Henry Schaeffer, a farmer
of Richmond township, and to this union were born children as
follows: Elias died at the age of thirteen years; Amanda married
William Stoudt, a farmer of Maxatawny township; Emma m. Milton
Weidenhammer, of North Reading; Adam S.; Catherine m. Elias Stein,
of Mertztown; Enoch died aged twenty-two years; Angelina m. James
Heiter, a farmer of Richmond township; and Henry became an
agriculturist of Exeter township.
Adam S. Rothermel was reared on his father's
small farm, and was mentally equipped in the schools of his
township, which he attended until he was sixteen years of age. He
then learned the tailor's trade, working three years as an
apprentice with Benjamin Schucker, at Molltown, after which he
served one year with practical tailors. He then engaged in business
for himself, tailoring two years at Evansville, Berks county, and
then carried on the business at his home in Perry township. In
connection with his trade he also conducted a small farm.
On Feb. 15, 1873, Mr. Rothermel married Mary M.
Deturck, daughter of John and Susan (Mengel) Deturck, and to them
were born these children: Alice m. Howard Smith, a farmer of
Windsor township; Hettie m. Morris L. Schaeffer, a farmer of
Richmond township; Laura m. Luther D. Moyer, who conducts a general
mercantile business at Eshbach, Berks county; and Harris graduated
at the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1902, since which
time he has been teaching school, having taught two terms in
Richmond township and one term each in Perry and Alsace townships,
and he married Clara Idella Kline, daughter of Amos Kline of
Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Rothermel died Dec. 22, 1904, in her
fiftieth year.
Mr. Adam S. Rothermel was a farmer in Perry
township for seventeen years, and in 1890 purchased the excellent
property on which he now resides. He takes a keen interest in
educational affairs, and while in Perry township his
fellow-townsmen elected him school director three times, he filling
that position most acceptably, and serving as treasurer of the
board during the six years of his incumbency. After his removal to
his native township he was again elected school director for three
years, again serving as treasurer of the board. In politics he is a
stanch Democrat. Mr. Rothermel attends the Becker's St. Peter's
Church.
p. 787
Surnames: ROTHERMEL, ZIMMERMAN, FETHEROLF, KUHNS, MAUER,
SEIGFREID, WEIAND, SPATZ, MOYER
Prof. Amos C. Rothermel. The Rothermels in America trace their
genealogy back some four hundred years to one Johannes Rothermel,
who won both fame and a name in the early wars of Germany. Johannes
was a brave soldier, and so frequently dyed his arm in the blood of
his enemies that his comrades designated him as der Roth Ermel (red
sleeve), and in this way he acquired the name of Johannes
Rothermel.
John Rothermel, descendant of this early
progenitor, was born in the Province of Wachbach, Holland, in 1688,
and married Sybilla Zimmerman, native of the same Province, and a
sister of the famous General Zimmerman of the Dutch army. Six
children were born to the couple and then, on account of the
unsettled condition of their native land, and a desire for greater
freedom, they concluded to come to America. With their six
children, and in company with a large number of other emigrants,
they set sail, but before reaching the shores of the New World John
Rothermel died and was buried at sea. The remainder of the family
landed at Philadelphia, on Aug. 29, 1730, and in the following year
located in the part of Philadelphia county that is now included in
the bounds of Berks county.
The children of John Rothermel and Sybilla
Zimmerman, his wife, were as follows: Anna Maria, Lawrence, Paul,
Peter, John and Christian. Anna Maria, the only daughter and oldest
child, before leaving Wachbach, married Peter Fetherolf, and she
and her husband, after being in America a brief time, settled in
Macungie township, Lehigh county, where they lived out the rest of
their days. Lawrence, the oldest son, settled in Windsor township,
Berks County, where he married a Miss Kuhns, and rose to be one of
the foremost citizens of that section. Paul purchased a large tract
of land in Maidencreek township and settled upon it; he married
Catherine Maurer and by her had issue five sons and one daughter.
Peter became a large land owner in the fertile valley of the
Manatawny, where he prospered and raised a family of four children.
John settled in Windsor township, where his older brother,
Lawrence, had already located. Christian, the youngest child of the
family, purchased a large tract of land in Maiden-creek township,
adjoining the property of his brother Paul; he married and had six
children, four daughter and two sons.
John Rothermel, the fifth son of John and
Sybilla (Zimmerman) Rothermel - as has already been stated -
located in Windsor township. He married Mary Seigfreid, who bore
him four sons, namely: Abraham, Jacob, Daniel, and John. Jacob, the
second of these sons, married twice. At this writing it has not
been ascertained who his first wife was, but it is known that she
bore him three children, namely: John, Joseph, and a daughter, who
married a Fegley. For his second wife he married a Miss Price, who
bore him three sons: Jacob, David P., and Simon. David P. Rothermel
was born Dec. 31, 1803, in Richmond township, and always lived
there. He was a cooper by trade, but during most of his lifetime
engaged in farming. He worked hard and prospered, and by industry
and frugality acquired a fine farm. He died Dec. 3, 1885. V David
P. Rothermel married Barbara Weiand, who was born Sept. 27, 1801,
at Pittsburg, Pa., and who bore him the following children: Eliza,
John, David, Lewis W., and Amelia, all of who were born in Richmond
township, and grew to maturity there. Barbara (Weiand) Rothermel
died March 11, 1881, and she and her husband are buried in the
graveyard of the Lutheran and Reformed Church close to the town of
Fleetwood. V Lewis W. Rothermel, the fourth child of David P., and
Barbara (Weiand) Rothermel, was born July 24, 1837, in Richmond
township. On reaching the years of young manhood he learned the
blacksmith's trade and followed the useful calling for eighteen
years. He resided in the village of Moselem, where was located one
of Berks county's largest furnaces, and where he was occupied
principally at repairing the heavy wagons and shoeing the many
horses and mules that were used in hauling to and from the
furnaces. Eventually the manufacture of iron at Moselem became
unprofitable and was abandoned, and with the passing of the furnace
and the many large teams that were used in operating it,
blacksmithing at that place became unprofitable. Lewis W. Rothermel
then gave up the trade at which he had worked hard for eighteen
long years, and took to farming on the parental homestead in
Richmond township. Here he followed the vocation of farming, and
tenderly cared for his aged parents until they passed to their
reward. Here he still resides in the enjoyment of the fruits of a
well-spent life, and the love and respect of a large circle of
friends and neighbors.
Lewis W. Rothermel married Lydia R. Rothermel, a
distant relative, a descendant of Paul Rothermel and Catherine
Maurer. To them the following children have been born: Amos C.,
Silas, Samuel, Lydia, Emily, and Lewis and Irene, the last two
named being twins. Silas is a practicing attorney in Reading.
Samuel is engaged in the lumber trade in Reading. Lydia formerly
taught in the public schools, but is now married and devotes all
her time to her household. Emily is married. Irene is living with
her husband near Fleetwood. Lewis is a physician at Lenhartsville,
Pennsylvania.
Amos C. Rothermel, the subject proper of this
sketch, was born at Moselem in Richmond Township, Berks county,
Jan. 6, 1864. He was the oldest child of the family, and as a lad
spent many an hour about his father's blacksmith shop, watching the
latter strike the iron while it was hot, and blowing the bellows
for him. This was to him an interesting experience at his most
impressionable period of life, but the environment did not have the
customary effect upon the youth, for he never acquired a desire to
learn and engage at his father's trade. Circumstances early turned
the course of his life into a different channel. To afford the
children of the neighborhood special advantages educationally, the
proprietor of the Moselem furnace secured the services of a lady
from New England, who was a born teacher and a friend to her pupils
as well; who not only taught them their daily lessons but fired
them with high ideals and an ambition to know more and achieve
greater things. For a period of six years, for ten months of each
year, Amos C. Rothermel sat under the beneficent instruction of
that teacher, and he has never yet ceased to credit to that
fortunate experience his success as a scholar and educator.
Having laid the foundation of his education in
the village school at Moselem, he entered the Keystone State Normal
School, at Kutztown, Berks county, and, after two years studious
application, graduated from that institution. Soon after entering
the normal school he turned his attention to teaching, beginning in
Richmond township, where he taught successfully for three terms.
Subsequently to his graduation he for one year conducted the
Polytechnic Institute, at Gilberts, in Monroe County, Pa. In the
fall of 1887 he returned to Kutztown State Normal School for the
purpose of preparing himself to take a course of training in a
higher institution of learning. Completing his preparatory course
in a year's time, he, in the fall of 1888, entered Franklin and
Marshall College, at Lancaster, Pa., from which he graduated three
years afterward with honor. Upon graduation from college he was
elected to the faculty of the Kutztown State Normal School as
Professor of Natural Science, a branch to which he had given much
hard study, and was especially qualified to teach. His success as
an instructor and disciplinarian marked him as a man fit for
promotion, and in 1893 he was made vice-principal of the
institution, but the duties of that position being only of
perfunctory character, they did not interfere with his duties of
the classroom and he continued to hold the chair of Natural Science
until 1890, when he was elected Principal of the institution. His
promotion to the principalship gave him the executive management of
this large school with all the varied and weighty responsibilities
which it involves. This change released him almost entirely from
class work and he has since been teaching only such branches as are
of distinctly pedagogical character.
Though comparatively a young man Prof.
Rothermel's administration of the Kutztown State Normal School from
the very beginning has proved highly successful and satisfactory.
He governs principally by conciliatory means, which he has found to
answer almost every purpose; for he claims that when students are
accorded just and considerate treatment they will almost invariably
yield respectful obedience. While his policy of government has been
mild it has yet been firm, and under him the institution has kept
pace with the general education progress of our rapidly moving age.
Its standard has been raised and its different departments have
been enlarged and improved to meet fully the requirements of the
future. Its reputation has grown with its years and it is justly
classed as one of the best State normal schools in the commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
On June 30, 1894, Prof. Rothermel married Miss
Ada L. Spatz, daughter of John and Catharine (Moyer) Spatz, at
Reading and a lady of refinement and culture, and many excellent
social qualities. No children have been born to them, but a bright
little girl who has been adopted into their home receives the full
measure of parental care and affection. In the matter of religion,
Mr. and Mrs. Rothermel are members of the Reformed Church, it being
the church of their ancestry through many generations. In politics
Mr. Rothermel is a Democrat.
And such is the history of Prof. Amos C.
Rothermel, a scholarly gentleman, a successful educator and a
worthy representative of one of Berks county's oldest and most
distinguished families.
p.
854
Surnames: ROTHERMEL/RODEARMEL, ZIMMERMAN, FETHEROLF, IAGER, HOCH,
KAUFFMAN, DE TURK, KNABB, BAER, MELOT, HERBEIN, BERTOLETT, MERKEL,
SCHAEFFER
Daniel H. Rothermel, formerly a prosperous farmer in Richmond
township, was one of the prominent and substantial citizens of this
section. He was born in Maiden-creek township, Berks Co., Pa., son
of Jacob Rothermel, and he died on his valuable farm of 150 acres,
in 1885, aged thirty-nine years.
The earliest known ancestor of the old and
honored family of Rothermel was Johannes Rothermel (also spelled
Rodearmel). He was born in 1688, at Wachbach, and in 1730 crossed
the Atlantic, dying en route to America. In his native land he
married Sybilla Zimmerman, who bore him three children: Anna Maria
m. Peter Fetherolf, a native of Wachbach, and they were the
progenitors of the representative and intellectual Fetherolf family
of Lehigh and surround counties and many of their descendants are
profession people; Lawrence, born in 1738, settled in Windsor
township, Berks county, and left many descendants; Paul settled in
Maiden-creek township, Berks county; Peter; John, born in 1722, had
a son, Jacob, whose son David had a son Lewis, born in 1837, who is
the father of Prof. A. C. Rothermel (the honored principal of the
Keystone State Normal School), Silas (an attorney), and Lewis (a
physician); and Christian had children, Margaret, Sybilla,
Magdalena, Amanda, Peter and John. It was this Peter Rothermel, who
was the famous artist, who painted the "Battle of Gettysburg."
Peter F., son of Peter, was once district attorney of Philadelphia.
Peter Rothermel, the fourth son of the ancestor,
and the great-grandfather of the late Daniel H., in 1737 became the
owner of 100 acres, and one year later acquired 250 acres of land.
In 1743 he purchased 100 acres more, and thus became one of the
largest land owners of this section. His property was all valuable,
lying in the bottoms along the Maxatawny creek, in Berks county.
His children were: Daniel, Peter, Margaret, and Abraham. Some of
them went far from home, and became the founders of families of the
name in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Peter Rothermel, son of Peter and grandfather of
Daniel H., was born in 1773, and died in 1856. His wife was
Magdalena Iager and they had the following children: Maria, born in
1796; Catherine, in 1797; Daniel, in 1799; Susanna, in 1801; Peter,
in 1802 (afflicted with blindness); Sarah, in 1803; Anna, in 1808;
Jacob, in 1811; John, in 1812 (father of Hon. John H. Rothermel,
who was elected in 1907, a member of Congress, from the Berks and
Lehigh Congressional District); Hannah, in 1814; Elizabeth, in
1816; and Abraham, in 1822 (died in 1804), the father of Hon.
Abraham Rothermel, formerly district attorney of Berks county).
Jacob Rothermel, father of Daniel H., was born
Jan. 14, 1811, and died June 10, 1888. His occupation was farming.
He married twice, (first) a Miss Hoch and (second) a Mrs. Kauffman.
His children were: Daniel H., Samuel, Amos, James, Mary, Esther and
Catherine.
Daniel H. Rothermel was a man of business
enterprise and of worthy citizenship. In connection with his
farming industries he dealt extensively in horses. This business he
thoroughly understood, and made it a success. At the time of his
death he was able to leave his widow and children a large estate,
the former of whom has since resided in a comfortable and
attractive home on Main street, Fleetwood. Since 1901, the farm has
been under the management of his son, Horace D. Mr. Rotherrmel was
much interested in the cause of education in general and to his own
children he gave advantages far beyond the ordinary, and thus
prepared them whatever might be their chosen field of labor.
In 1870, Daniel H. Rothermel was married to
Deborah De Turk, who is a daughter of the late Daniel and Deborah
(Knabb) De Turk, former residents of Oley township. Mr. and Mrs. De
Turk had the following children: Esther m. (first) David Baer,
(second) Samuel Melot; Sarah m. Lewis J. De Turk; Deborah; Abraham
m. (first) Alice Herbein, (second) Catherine Bertolett; Ezra m.
Alice Merkel; and Horace died aged twenty-four years.
To Daniel H. Rothermel and wife were born six
children, namely: Clayton D., Elmer D., Ella D., Deborah D., Horace
D., and Daniel J. Clayton D., is a graduate of the Baltimore
Medical School and is engaged in medical practice at Philadelphia.
Elmer D. married Hanna Schaeffer, and they have one daughter,
Mabel. Ella D., residing with her mother, is a lady of literary
culture and many accomplishments. She is a graduate of the Keystone
State Normal School, class of 1895, and also of Neff's School of
Literary Interpretation, of Philadelphia, class of 1901. Deborah
D., a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1897,
married Augustus P. Merkel, an implement merchant and machinist,
residing at Fleetwood, and their two children, Mary and William,
both died in infancy. Horace D., born Feb 5, 1879, manages the
homestead in Richmond township; in 1900 he m. Emma R. Schaeffer,
and they have one daughter, Elda S. Daniel L, a graduate from a
school of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, is located in that city.
p. 977
Surnames: ROTHERMEL, GRIESEMER, ZIMMERMAN, FETERHOLF, MAURER,
WIEST, SCHLEAR, LOOSE
Enoch G. Rothermel, a well known hotel-keeper of Perry township,
who is owner and proprietor of the popular "Mansion House" at
Shoemakersville, Berks county, was born in Maiden-creek township,
son of John B. and Maria (Griesemer) Rothermel.
The progenitor of the Rothermel family in this
county, Johannes Rothermel, who was a brave soldier of the German
wars, was a native of Wachbach, born in 1688. In 1708 he married
Sabilla Zimmerman, of royal blood, and in 1730 they, with their one
daughter and five sons, crossed the Atlantic for the New World.
Johannes Rothermel, however, did not live to see the new country,
he dying and being buried at sea. The widow and her children landed
at Philadelphia Aug. 29, 1730, the name of the latter being: Anna
Maria (m. Peter Feterholf, of Lehigh county); Laurence; Paul;
Peter; John and Christian.
Paul Rothermel, son of Johannes, settled in
Maiden-creek township in 1738. He was naturalized in 1744, and
resided on his 250 acre farm all of his life. In 1847 he married
Catherine Maurer, of Philadelphia county, and to them were born:
Peter, Leonard, Paul, John, Jacob and Barbara.
Leonard Rothermel, son of Paul, married a Miss
Barnett, and they had three children: David B., Leonard and John B.
(the father of Enoch G.).
John B. Rothermel was a wealthy farmer of
Maiden-creek township. He married Anna Maria Griesemer, and they
had these children: Louisa, Harrison, Susanna, Enoch G., John
Yarak, Napoleon (died young), Albert, Jeremiah and Nicholas.
Enoch G. Rothermel obtained a limited education
in the local schools and spent his youthful days upon his father's
farm. He first worked at agricultural pursuits and during his first
wife's lifetime he was proprietor of the hotel at Blandon.
Immediately after his second marriage he bought the "Market House
Hotel." Moss and Buttonwood streets, Reading, but after two years
sold it to the Lauer Brewing Company, and bought the "Molltown
House," which he conducted six years. He then purchased for $14,000
the "Mansion House" at Shoemakersville which he has operated
successfully since 1905. He is also the owner of the lot of ground
opposite his hotel, for which he paid $5,100 in 1906, fifty acres
of land at Molltown, in Maiden-creek township, and three tenant
houses and one hotel. He is a man of influence in his community,
and is highly esteemed by all with whom he has come into contact.
Mr. Rothermel has been twice married, his first
wife, to whom he was married in 1872, being Isabella Rothermel,
daughter of Peter and Sallie (Wiest) Rothermel. On Dec. 24, 1895,
Mr. Rothermel was married (second) to Ida A. Schlear, daughter of
John and Katie (Loose) Schlear, and to this union there were born
three children: Enoch S., born July 23, 1897; Katie M., Oct. 20,
1899; and Mabel H., July 31, 1901.
p. 1625
Surnames: ROTHERMEL, ZIMMERMAN, FETEROLF, ROMIG, MAURER, SIGFRED,
IAGER, HOOVER, GREASON
The Rothermels of Berks county, Pa., trace their ancestry directly
to one John Rothermel, born in Wachbach, a Dutch province, in 1688.
In 1708 he married Sybilla Zimmerman, of the same province, and
after the birth of six children, emigrated to America, his cause
for leaving being the unsettled political conditions of his native
country, and a desire for the greater freedom of the New World. In
company with a large number of other emigrants from that country,
he set sail for America with his wife and children. He died,
however, on the journey to the new country, in 1730, but his wife
and children arrived safely in Philadelphia, Aug. 20, 1730,
locating in Berks county (then Philadelphia county) the following
year. The six children were: Anna Maria; Lawrence; Paul; Peter;
John and Christian. Of these, Anna Maria, born in February, 1712,
married Peter Feterolf in 1729, and located in Macungie township
(now in Lehigh county), where he died Aug. 15, 1784, and his wife a
few years later. Lawrence located in Windsor township, Berks
county, in 1738, and in 1748 married a Miss Kuhns; they had two
children, Leonard and Maria, the latter marrying John C. Romig.
Paul located in Maiden-creek township in 1737, and married
Catherine Maurer in 1747; they had children: Peter; Leonard; Paul;
John; Jacob and Barbara. Peter, the fourth child born to his
parents, and the great-grandfather of John H.. Rothermel, is
mentioned below. John, born in Wachbach, Jan, 21, 1722, purchased a
twenty-five acre tract of land adjoining the estate of his brother
Lawrence in 1747, and there he resided until his death in 1785; he
married Mary Sigfred, by whom he had four children. Abraham; Jacob;
Daniel and John. Christian, the remaining member of the family, in
1772 purchased 250 acres of land along Maiden-creek; he was the
father of six children: Margaret; Sybilla; Magdalena; Amanda; Peter
and John.
Peter Rothermel, great-grandfather of John H.
Rothermel, was an extensive land owner in Berks county. In 1737 he
became the owner of 100 acres and in 1743 purchased an additional
100 acres, meantime acquiring 250 acres more in 1738. All of his
lands lay along the Maxatawny Creek. He married and was the father
of a number of children, some of whom went west and were the
founders of homes in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The children were:
Daniel, Peter, Margaret and Abraham.
Peter Rothermel, son of Peter, was born on the
old homestead on Maxatawny Creek Sept. 1, 1773, and there resided,
throughout his life engaged in farming. He died Feb. 1, 1856, aged
eighty-three years. He was married Feb. 11, 1795, to Magdalena
Iager, and fourteen children were born of this union: Maria;
Catherine; Daniel; Susanna; Peter; Sarah; Anna: Esther; Jacob;
John, Hannah; Elizabeth; Sybilla and Abraham.
John Rothermel was born April 8, 1812, in
Richmond township, Berks county, were he was reared on a farm and
educated in the public schools, such as they were in his day. After
residing there for some years, he removed to Maiden-creek township,
and located on a farm, following agricultural pursuits until his
death. In political matters he was a supporter of the principles of
the Democratic party. He died in August, 1890. Mr. Rothermel
married Louisa Hoover, who was born Dec. 11, 1827, in Cumru
township, Berks county, and children as follows came to this union:
William, born July 2, 1848; Peter, Feb. 20, 1850; Katie (deceased)
Oct. 4, 1851; Israel H.; born April 26, 1853, died Aug. 7, 1903;
John H., March 7, 1856, present representative in Congress from
Berks county; Moses, Aug. 11, 1858; Cyrus and Mary, twins, March
13, 1861; Lydia, July 16, 1862; Esther, Oct. 17, 1863; Wilson H.,
May 4, 1866; Annie, Nov. 4, 1867; Alice, July 2, 1870; and Joseph
M., May 18, 1872.
John H. Rothermel, of Reading, elected to
represent the Thirteenth District - comprising Berks and Lehigh
counties - in the LXth and LXIst Congress, has been a leading
attorney of Pennsylvania for many years. He is one of Berks
county's native sons, having been born March 7, 1856, in Richmond
township, and his ancestors for over a century and a half have been
prominently identified with the professional and industrial history
of this county. His parents, John and Louisa (Hoover) Rothermel,
were farming people of Maiden-creek township, this county, and John
J. Rothermel was reared on the farm. He received his early
education in the local public schools and Prof. Brunner's
Scientific Academy, at Reading, Pa., and taught in the public
schools of his native county for several years, being also engaged
for about two years in Brunner's Academy. He took up the study of
law and was admitted to the Bar in 1881. Since then he has been
actively engaged in the practice of his profession in the higher
and lower courts, both State and Federal.
For twenty-five years, Mr. Rothermel has given
special attention to the trial of cases, and as a trial lawyer has
been identified with the most important litigation in his section,
amongst others the notable case of the Commonwealth versus Samuel
Greason, which won Mr. Rothermel national reputation. The death
warrant was read to the defendant ten times, and as many times he
was snatched from the gallows by his lawyer. In the meantime Mr.
Rothermel secured the passage of a law (Act of April 22, 1903)
which empowered the Supreme court to authorize the reopening of the
case. After the enactment of this law the Supreme court directed
the lower court to reopen the case, and then the real trouble
began, every move made by the defendant being beset with serious
difficulties. The longer the case progressed the more intricate it
became, until finally a new trial was obtained, and on June 16,
1905, the defendant was acquitted. This introduced a new feature in
the criminal administration of justice and is the only proceeding
of its kind in the history of Pennsylvania, a record of which is in
the office of the Supreme court and will be a guide and precedent
for all cases in the future. This was the most noted of the various
homicide cases defended by Mr. Rothermel, many of which had
attracted widespread attention, and the comprehensive knowledge of
the law he displayed in its conduct won him so many friends in
Berks county that he received the nomination for Congress against
four formidable competitors. But though naturally gratified at the
support he was given in his own county at the election which
followed, nothing could have been more flattering than the large
majority he polled in Lehigh county, which with Berks makes up the
Thirteenth District. He was elected with a majority of 5,600. Mr.
Rothermel's service in the LXth Congress was his first experience
in public office, and he signally distinguished himself therein by
securing the passage of a bill appropriating a substantial sum for
the enlargement of the Federal building in Reading, Pa., and in
being a conscientious and painstaking official. His prompt and
cheerful compliance with requests of his constituents has made him
a most popular Congressman. At the Federal Capitol he is regarded
with high honor and esteem. He ran for a Common Pleas judgeship in
1899, but was defeated, although he received promising support at
the primaries. In 1891, upon the death of Judge Schwartz, he was
prominently mentioned as the latter's successor, and his candidacy
was strongly urged by way of indorsements by the county Bar, but
Judge Bland obtained the appointment. At the following general
election he was importuned by his many friends to become a
candidate for the nomination for that office, but declined out of
regard for Judge Bland, who was appointed by the Governor. In his
political affiliations Mr. Rothermel is an unswerving supporter of
the Democratic party.
On March 8, 1883, Mr. Rothermel was married to
Sarah Zimmerman and they have one son, Ralph Z., born Aug. 7, 1884.
p.
1158
Surnames: ROTHERMEL, HARTMAN, BROWN, GERNANT, ROTTENBERGER,
BROCKWAY, McKENTLEY, SNYDER, KRAMER
Frank H. Rothermel, who is conducting a successful business at the
corner of Green and North Front streets, Reading, where he carries
a full line of meats and canned goods, was born in 1875, in Bern
township, Berks county, son of Adam B. and Rebecca (Hartman)
Rothermel.
Leonard Rothermel, great-grandfather of Frank
H., was born in Maiden-creek township, where he engaged in farming
all of his life. He was the father of nine children: Jeremiah,
John, Leonard, David, Mary, Catherine, and three who are recorded
as named Harvey, died young.
Jeremiah Rothermel, like his father Leonard, was
born on the old Rothermel homestead in Maiden-creek township, May
17, 1822, and was a general merchant at Blandon, where the upper
hotel is now situated. He also engaged in farming for some time,
but had been living retired for some years prior to his death Feb.
16, 1890. He married Lydia Brown, born Sept. 26, 1824, and to them
were born nine children, as follows; Calvin died aged three years;
Amelia, m. William Gernant; Maria and Eva died young; Catherine m.
David L. Rottenberger; two children whose names are not recorded;
and Jeremiah m. Emma Brockway. Mrs. Lydia Rothermel died April 16,
1902, in the faith of the Dunkard Church, in which her husband was
a preacher.
Adam B. Rothermel was born in Maiden-creek
township, May 21, 1854, and died June 9, 1907. He married (first)
Mary Hartman, daughter of Amos and Rebecca Hartman, and to this
union there were born nine children, as follows: Wilson, Mary,
Amelia, Susan, Frank, Adam, Harry, Edward (deceased), and Oliver.
He m. (second) Elizabeth McKentley, daughter of Joseph and Susan
(Snyder) McKentley, and one child was born to this union, Herbert,
at school.
Frank H. Rothermel was educated in the schools
of Bern and Muhlenberg townships, and until twenty years of age was
engaged in farming. At this time he learned the butchering business
with H. F. Kramer, with whom he remained for seven years, and in
1903 embarked in business for himself at the old H. F. Kramer stand
in Reading, three years later locating at his present place of
business. Here Mr. Rothermel has introduced many modern
improvements, his large refrigerator, holding one and one-half tons
of ice, keeping all his fresh and house dressed meats in the best
of condition. He also carries a full line of canned goods and
smoked meats, and the excellence of his goods as well as his
moderate prices have won him a large and steady trade.
Mr. Rothermel was married to Miss Bertha Kramer,
daughter of H. F. Kramer, and to this union there has been born one
child, Harold. In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Rothermel are
Lutherans. He is a Republican in politics.
p. 415
Surnames: ROTHERMEL, PETERS, GRIM, SCHELL, LIVINGOOD
Ira P. Rothermel, eldest son of John K. and Susanna E. (Peters)
Rothermel, was born in Maiden-creek township, Berks CO., Pa. His
father was a descendant from one of the earliest families in the
country, and a prominent farmer in Richmond township, and our
subject's youth was mostly spent in assisting in the arduous duties
of the farm. The advantages of a liberal education, however, were
not denied him. He was educated in the public schools of his
township, Brunner's Scientific Academy at Reading, and the Keystone
State Normal School, at Kutztown. After reaching a country school
in Ruscombmanor township for one year, he entered Lafayette
College, from which institution he graduated in the classical
course in the year 1885. The following year Mr. Rothermel came to
Reading and began the study of law under the direction of Frank R.
Schell, Esq., and after the latter's decease, which occurred a few
months later, he entered the law offices of Jacob S. Livingood, a
distinguished lawyer, under whose preceptorship he continued and
concluded his law studies. He was admitted to the Berks County Bar
Jan 21, 1888, and later to the Supreme court and the Superior court
of this State. Since his admission to the Bar he has assiduously
carried on his profession in a successful manner, mostly in the
line of office practice and in the settlement of estates.
Mr. Rothermel became affiliated with the
Freemasons at Reading in 1891, where he joined Chandler Lodge No.
227, Excelsior Chapter No. 237, and Reading Commandery, No. 42,
Knights Templar. In manner, Mr. Rothermel is modest and unassuming,
by nature kind and genial, honorable in all his dealings and
generous to every one in work and deed.
Mr. Rothermel was married to Elizabeth Grim, and
they have three children, John G., Daniel G., and Catharine G. The
family are active members of St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church.
Mrs. Rothermel is a daughter of Daniel P., Grim, of Kutztown, and a
grand-daughter of Col. Daniel B. Grim, who conducted a large farm,
tannery, general store and hotel at Grimville, in the upper section
of this county.