From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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J.A. ROCKFORD 
J.A. Rockford is a well known attorney of Stevens county and has mani-
fested the stability, keen observation and acumen which go so far in making
a successful lawyer. Coupled with these qualifications, Mr. Rochford poss-
esses a vast fund of erudition gained by careful and constant perusal of the
leading authors in his profession and he is ranked with the best attorneys
in this section.
   J.A. Rochford was born in Kankakee, Illinois, on February 16, 1860, the 
son of Michael and Lydia A. (Bellamy) Rochford, natives of Ireland and Canada
respectively. The mother is a distant relative of Edward Bellemy, author of
Looking Backward. The father was a soldier and served for seven years in the
British army. Then he enlisted in Company I. of a Michigan regiment and was
later transferred to the United States Cavalry, Company D. under General
Sheridan. In July, 1868, he was honorably discharged at Ft. Lapwai, Idaho.
After a visit to his old home in Michigan, he went in 1870, to Kansas where 
he died in 1894. The mother was born in Port Hope, Canada and is now living
near Wichita, Kansas. They were the parents of six children, three of whom 
are living: J.A., our subject, R. Walter, and David, a well known newspaper
man of Osage, Kansas. Our subject was one of those sturdy youths, who start
in life while young and eleven was the time when he stepped forth for himself
He soon saw the importance of a better education and at once set out to sec-
ure it. He was successful in a good degree and has always been a careful stu-
dent. He was soon associated with one of the leading Kansas lawyers, who is
now located at Oberlin, that state. He there took up the study of law and
perfected himself in it, being admitted to the bar in due time. He soon was
in real practice, and constant study, while in the practical work, has made
Mr. Rochford a first class lawyer. Before leaving Kansas he lost a library
worth eighteen hundred dollars by fire. In 1888, Mr. Rochford went to North
Yakima and formed a partnership with congressman W.L. Jones and John M. New-
man in the practice of law. Two years later he was elected prosecuting att-
orney of that county. In 1897, he located in Stevens county, stopping first 
in Northport. One year later he came to Colville and opened an office, since 
which time he has been engaged in practice constantly and has a large client-
age throughout the county. He was instrumental in organizing the United 
States Marble Company and has always been a leading man. Mr. Rochford has 
property through the county, a good residence and office building in Colville
and also a fine large library of well selected volumes.
   In 1888 Mr. Rochford was married to Miss Ida M. Allen, and to this union 
three children were born: Lloyd A., Myrtle L., and Ray. In October, 1893, 
Mrs. Rochford was called hence by death.
   In January 10, 1894, Mr. Rochford married Miss Nellie L., daughter of C.R.
and Clara Stedman, natives of Iowa. Later the family removed to Nebraska 
where Mrs. Rochford was born. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Rochford: Clair M., Ruth V., and Ynez.
   Politically, Mr. Rochford is a Democrat and active in the affairs of his
party. He is a member of the M.W.A. and was leading spirit in the erection
of the hall in Chewelah now belongs to that order. In 1903, he was chosen to
delegate to the state convention from his lodge. Mr. Rochford is a man of
ability abd has won for himself a good podition in the legal world.    
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