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Isaac Rothermel son of Abraham, the pioneer of the family in Northumberland county, was born April 13, 1820, in Washington
township, and died Oct. 1, 1896, in Jordan township, at the home of his son Manasses. He was a man of medium size, raw-boned
and muscular, and followed the trade of blacksmith in his earlier life, later devoting himself to farming. He had his blacksmith
shop in Jordan township, where his son William now lives, and he carried on farming from 1851 until his retirement, some years
before his death. He made his home with his son Monroe, though he did not die at his house. Mr. Rothermel was a Reformed
member of Klingers Church, but he and his wife Hannah (Wiest) are buried at Zion's Union Church, near Klingerstown. She was
born Dec. 10, 1823, daughter of Samuel Wiest and granddaughter of Jacob Wiest, of Berks county, and died Sept. 7, 1887. To
Isaac Rothermel and his wife was born
a family of twelve children: William W.; Amos; Jestina, widow of John Weiser; Lucy, Mrs. Nicholas Adams; Eve, who died
young; Catharine, who died young; Lazarus W.; Manasses W.; Esrom; Monroe; Abraham; and Hannah, Mrs. Ammon Houck.
386. ROTHERMEL - Isaac Rothermel, born Apr. 13, 1820; Died Oct. 1, 1896; Aged 75 yrs., 5 mos. & 18 das.
387. ROTHERMEL - Hannah, wife of Isaac Rothermel, born Dec. 10, 1823;Died Sept. 7, 1887; Aged 63 yrs., 8 mos. & 27
das.
The 1870 Census lists Isaac as a farmer. There is a family legend that claims he successfully repelled an attack by three
highway men on his way home from taking his produce to market. They ambushed him and demanded his money. Isaac climbed down
from the buckboard wagon as if to comply. He then severely beat the three of them; crushing one outlaw's toes with an anvil.
He was about 65 at the time.
WILLIAM W. ROTHERMEL
son of Isaac, was born May 2, 1842, in the
same district where he now lives in Jordan township. He remained at home on the farm until he went into the army during
the Civil war, as a member of Company A, 50th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, enlisting for three years or during
the war. He was nineteen when he entered the service. Before the expiration of this term he reenlisted, in eastern Tennessee,
at Blaine's Cross Road, for another three years, in the same company and regiment, and served to the end of the war. He became
a third sergeant and right general guide. His experiences of
trial and hardship were unusual, even for army life. He not only traveled all over the South, but also in Ohio, Indiana
and Ilinois, and was in thirty-two engagements, including Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Antietam, South Mountain, Vicksburg, Jackson,
siege of Knoxville and operations in front of Petersburg. He was in Sherman's army. Returning to Northumberland county at
the close of his service, he soon began farming in Hubley township, Schuylkill county, where he was a tenant for nine years,
in 1877 settling at his present location in Jordan township, Northumberland county. His home is on a tract of twenty-two acres,
which he cultivates, though he leads a semi-
retired life. He is a carpenter, and has followed his trade in connection with agriculture. He is serving at present
as an auditor of his township, has been school director and supervisor, and is one of the
most respected residents of his section. He is a Republican in politics. On Dec. 30, 1865, Mr. Rothermel was married
in Northumberland county to Sarah Shaffer, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Bohner) Shaffer, and they have the following children:
Emma, Mrs. John Saltzer; Manasses,
of Klingerstown; Polly, Mrs. Charles Brown; Monroe, of Gowen City, Pa.; Jennie, Mrs. Gordon Klinger; and Minnie, Mrs.
Harvey Smith. Mr. Rothermel and his family worship with the Reformed congregation of the Klingerstown Church, which he formerly
served as elder, at present holding the offices of trustee and treasurer.
MANASSES W. ROTHERMELson of Isaac, was born Sept. 24, 1857, on the farm in Jordan township where he now lives, and was there
reared to farm life. After working for his parents until he reached the age of eighteen years, he followed the blacksmith's
trade for seven years, in
Uniontown and at Klingerstown. He was next engaged in huckstering for about fifteen years. In the spring of 1898 he began
farming on his father's homestead, where he has since lived, now owning the place, which contains 101 1/2 acres. This farm
is part of a tract of 500 acres
which long ago belonged to the Bickels, who lived in Berks county, and was bought by them from Samuel Wiest; it is now
divided into several farms. On April 20, 1908, Mr. Rothermel had the misfortune to lose his house by fire, which totally
destroyed it with all its contents,
including valuable documents of historic worth. The summer of that year he erected the nice frame house which he and
his family now occupy. The barn on the farm is a landmark of the region, having been built by Isaac Rothermel in 1851, when
he came to Jordan township, and he built the
house (the one burned in 1908) the same year; at that time only ten acres of the farm were cleared. Mr. Rothermel is
one of the substantial and esteemed residents of his neighborhood, being a typical member of a family which has long been
known for solid worth.
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