Philip Rothrock
Philip Rothrock was born October 12, 1801, in Pennsylvania. His father moved to Mt. Leigh when he was eleven years of age. He went to school in the district school of the neighborhood and afterward at the North Liberty Academy. When the war broke out he raised a company for the 60th O. V. I. for one year and was appointed Captain, November 26, 1861. He served in the organization until November 10, 1862, and while in it was in several battles and skirmishes, and was taken prisoner of war at Harper's Ferry in the surrender there. He remained at home until June, 1863, when he raised Company B, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. While he was recruiting that, he and his brother. Joseph, and John Van Deman attended the North Liberty United Presbyterian Church and took communion. Philip said it would be the last time he would be with them and so it proved to be. His regiment was sent for service in East Tennessee. On August 18, 1863, he was wounded by an explosion of one of our old cannon at Cleveland, Tennessee, then used to repel an attack by the Rebel General Wheeler. The next day he was appointed Major but was never mustered. He was sent to the hospital where he remained until October 12, 1864, when he died. In November, his remains were brought to Mt. Leigh and reinterred.
He was married August 18, 1857, to Rebecca E. Shaw. There were two sons of this marriage, Joseph Lewis, born June I1, 1858. who is married and now resides at Washington C. H. He has two children. An other son, Philip E., resides at Washington C. H., and is married. He is the father of four children, and is engaged in the hardware business there.
Philip Rothrock was a Presbyterian, and much devoted to his faith. He was a man of generous impulses, intensely patriotic, and had he survived, he would have been a most valuable citizen in any community. His untimely death was much deplored bv all who knew him.
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