Joseph W. Rothrock
Joseph W. Rothrock, of Washington C. H., Ohio, was born June 7, 1839, at Mt. Leigh, in Adams County. His father was Joseph Rothrock, and his mother, Sarah McKinney. They were from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. He grew up on his father's farm, and after learning out at the District schools, attended the North Liberty Academy, and afterwards at Lebanon, Ohio.
For nine years, while a boy and a youth, he was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and helped two hundred slaves to freedom. He entered the service of his country October 6, 1861, as a Private in Company B, 60th O. V. I., a vear regiment. His brother, Philip, was Captain of the company. He was in the battle of Cross Keys and at Harper's Ferry. On June 25, 1863, he enlisted in the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, Company B, and was made a Sergeant of the company, August 5, 1863. He was promoted Second Lieutenant and assigned to Company I, December 28, 1864. He was mustered out August 23, 1865. He took up his residence at Winchester, Ohio, and began to trade in cattle.
On the seventeenth of August, 1867, he was married to Miss Effle J. Davis. He has a son, Frank, who is married and. has one child. He is conducting a steam laundry at Washington C. H. He has a daughter, Anna, who resides with her father.
In 1884, he removed from Winchester, Ohio, to Washington C. H., where he has ever since resided. He is a Republican. He was born a Presbyterian and is a member of the church at Washington C. H., and a ruling elder therein.
He is genial and cordial in his disposition, ready to make friends and able to hold them. He is always interested in young people and desirous that they shall enjoy themselves. He is a man of strong business integrity and great fairness, honest and reliable in all his dealings. Those who know him best, admire him for his strong Christian character, his devotion to religious convictions and to his church. He is wise in counsel, gentle in manner, devoted to duty and lived his faith every day.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900