Biographical Sketch of Joseph H. Rothwell, Johnson County, Missouri, Knob Noster >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Joseph H. Rothwell, a highly respected pioneer of Johnson county and the well known notary public and insurance man of Knob Noster, Missouri was born in 1855 in a log cabin on his father's farm in Johnson county. He is the son of J. C. and Mary S. (Ramsey) Rothwell, natives of Vir- ginia. J. C. Rothwell was the son of "Buck" Rothwell, a typical Vir- ginian. J. C. Rothwell and Mary S. Ramsey were united in marriage in Virginia and in 1839 came to Missouri from Virginia and settled on a farm in Johnson county, comprising 320 acres, which J. C. Rothwell entered from the government. He was a prosperous and influential farm- er and stockman of pioneer days, capable, industrious, and generous hearted, a man whom all respected and honored. His death occurred in 1893. The following children were born to J. C. and Mary S. Rothwell: C. W., who resides in Warrensburg, Missouri; Mrs. Mattie D. Mayes, of Warrensburg, Missouri; and J. H., the subject of this review. J. H. Rothwell attended the "subscription schools" of the early pioneer days. Mr. Buckmaster and George Couch were two of his first teachers, whom he recalls. Mr. Rothwell often attended and took part in the old fashion- ed "spelling bees," and "debating societies," where all sorts of topics were vehemently discussed and the leading issues of the day settled forever, and the primitive "singing schools," where those who could sing wouldn't and those who couldn't sing would, and where all had a happy, social time. Mr. Rothwell is of the opinion, which is held by the majority of people, that in the early days the settlers were more friendly, more sociable, and more interested in the welfare of others than the people of the present day. J. H. Rothwell completed his edu- cation in the Warrensburg State Normal School and after leaving school, engaged in farming and stock raising, in which vocation he was employed until 1906, when he moved from the farm to Knob Noster, on account of the better school facilities, desiring to give his children the advan- tages of a high school education. Mr. Rothwell is the owner of a splendid farm in Grover township, a well improved place, comprising 400 acres of the best farm land in this county, a beautiful, country home. He has the general supervision of his farm in addition to his business interests in Knob Noster. He was in partnership with his son, C. F., in the mercantile business in Knob Noster, where C. F. Rothwell conduc- ted a general dry goods store, carrying a stock of goods valued at $12,000, until they disposed of the business in June, 1917. J. H. Rothwell also is a notary public and insurance man, his office being located in the Shy building. In 1883, J. H. Rothwell was united in marriage with Allena Scruggs, a daughter of Reverend A. F. Scruggs, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, who came to Missouri from Kentucky and for many years was engaged in missionary work among the Cherokee Indians. Reverend Scruggs purchased a farm in Johnson county and in addition to the work of the farm continued to be the "local preacher." Mrs. Rothwell remembers having witnessed many marri- age ceremonies performed by her father. To J. H. and Allena (Scruggs) Rothwell have been born the following children: Claybourne F., who was engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his father and conducted a general store in Knob Noster until June, 1917; J. E., who resides in Nebraska with his wife, who was Claretta Guihen, and child, Erneeta; Allena F., who resides at home; and Mary M., who resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Rothwell reside in Knob Noster, where they have a nice, well kept home. Both are interested in church work, being active members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Rothwell is treasurer of the Presbyterian Missionary Society. Mr. Rothwell is an elder of his church and superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday School and recently attended as delegate the Johnson County Sunday School Association at Chilhowee, Missouri. For 62 years, Mr. Rothwell has lived in Johnson county and he has literally "grown up with the country." He recalls how he was want to drive his father's cows home from the open range and frequently saw on those occasions herds of wild deer and flocks of wild turkeys. He used to kill the prairie chickens which came to feed on the corn husks in his father's field. Mr. Rothwell vividly remembers the days when the mail was received but once a week. The old log house in which he was born stood until recent years on the homeplace and he still has in his possession the "land patents" his father received when he homesteaded the farm. When J. H. Rothwell was a youth, roads were unheard of in this section of the state and one found his way home across the open prairie by relying solely on his sense of direction. Mr. Rothwell relates that his first investment was in calves, which he kept for 3 years, selling them at a good price and realizing a large profit. He has been interested in the stock business ever since. J. H. Rothwell has lways taken an active and interested part in civic affairs as well as in religious matters. He was a member of the school board on his district for 21 years and for many years served as dis- trict clerk. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Odd Fellows. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================