Born in the city of Cincinnati, September 11, 1840. His father, John H. Rothert, and mother, Margaret Rothert, were early pioneers of the Queen city, having settled there in 1832. After his high school and college education Mr. Rothert engaged in commercial pursuits, becoming a member of the firm of J. H. Rothert & Sons, doing a large hardware, iron and stove business. Recognizing the western tendency of the star of empire, the business was extended by establishing a branch house in the city of Keokuk, Iowa. The firm by the retirement of the senior member and founder was changed to Rothert Brothers, and in 1863 Henry W. Rothert assumed entire control of the Iowa branch, managing its extended interests in a large territory comprised of western counties of Illinois, northern counties of Missouri and one-half of Iowa. Mr. Rothert was married in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 12, 1862, to Miss Eliza Tebbe, of that city. Mr. Rothert's residence in Iowa was soon marked by the preference of his neighbors and his public-spirited interests were soon called into active service. His first entrance into public life was as one of the county commissioners of Lee County. He was elected alderman for three successive terms, followed by large majorities for mayor of the city for two terms. His deep interest in educational matters was recognized by retaining him as a member of the board of education for nine years. Mr. Rothert was elected as senator from the first senatorial district and served for eight years, thus establishing his popularity inasmuch as the district returned overwhelming democratic majorities but recognized Mr. Rothert on the republican ticket. During his last term he was selected as president pro tem of the senate and became lieutenant governor of the state by succession, the incumbent, Lieutenant Governor Newbold, filling the vacancy of governor created by the resignation of Governor Kirkwood, who took his seat as United States senator. He was then called by the board of directors of the Union Pacific Railroad to investigate and report on the entire land system of said railroad, which having accomplished, he was offered and accepted the position of superintendent of the Iowa School for the Deaf at Council Bluffs, which he has held for twenty years. Mr. Rothert is by family relationship especially interested in the cause of the education of the deaf and considers the position he has held as a mission of life. He was president of a loan and building association, chairman of local board of underwriters and vice president of the Commercial Bank. He was the executive head of a social organization and noble grand of the Odd Fellows He was master of his lodge twelve years and eminent commander of his commandery six years. He was grand treasurer of the grand-lodge and the grand chapter, was elected as grand master of Masons of Iowa and unanimously re-elected for the second term. He was elected as grand commander of the Knights Templar.

Born in the city of Cincinnati, September 11, 1840. His father, John H. Rothert, and mother, Margaret Rothert, were early pioneers of the Queen city, having settled there in 1832. After his high school and college education Mr. Rothert engaged in commercial pursuits, becoming a member of the firm of J. H. Rothert & Sons, doing a large hardware, iron and stove business. Recognizing the western tendency of the star of empire, the business was extended by establishing a branch house in the city of Keokuk, Iowa. The firm by the retirement of the senior member and founder was changed to Rothert Brothers, and in 1863 Henry W. Rothert assumed entire control of the Iowa branch, managing its extended interests in a large territory comprised of western counties of Illinois, northern counties of Missouri and one-half of Iowa. Mr. Rothert was married in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 12, 1862, to Miss Eliza Tebbe, of that city. Mr. Rothert's residence in Iowa was soon marked by the preference of his neighbors and his public-spirited interests were soon called into active service. His first entrance into public life was as one of the county commissioners of Lee County. He was elected alderman for three successive terms, followed by large majorities for mayor of the city for two terms. His deep interest in educational matters was recognized by retaining him as a member of the board of education for nine years. Mr. Rothert was elected as senator from the first senatorial district and served for eight years, thus establishing his popularity inasmuch as the district returned overwhelming democratic majorities but recognized Mr. Rothert on the republican ticket. During his last term he was selected as president pro tem of the senate and became lieutenant governor of the state by succession, the incumbent, Lieutenant Governor Newbold, filling the vacancy of governor created by the resignation of Governor Kirkwood, who took his seat as United States senator. He was then called by the board of directors of the Union Pacific Railroad to investigate and report on the entire land system of said railroad, which having accomplished, he was offered and accepted the position of superintendent of the Iowa School for the Deaf at Council Bluffs, which he has held for twenty years. Mr. Rothert is by family relationship especially interested in the cause of the education of the deaf and considers the position he has held as a mission of life. He was president of a loan and building association, chairman of local board of underwriters and vice president of the Commercial Bank. He was the executive head of a social organization and noble grand of the Odd Fellows He was master of his lodge twelve years and eminent commander of his commandery six years. He was grand treasurer of the grand-lodge and the grand chapter, was elected as grand master of Masons of Iowa and unanimously re-elected for the second term. He was elected as grand commander of the Knights Templar.

Born in the city of Cincinnati, September 11, 1840. His father, John H. Rothert, and mother, Margaret Rothert, were early pioneers of the Queen city, having settled there in 1832. After his high school and college education Mr. Rothert engaged in commercial pursuits, becoming a member of the firm of J. H. Rothert & Sons, doing a large hardware, iron and stove business. Recognizing the western tendency of the star of empire, the business was extended by establishing a branch house in the city of Keokuk, Iowa. The firm by the retirement of the senior member and founder was changed to Rothert Brothers, and in 1863 Henry W. Rothert assumed entire control of the Iowa branch, managing its extended interests in a large territory comprised of western counties of Illinois, northern counties of Missouri and one-half of Iowa. Mr. Rothert was married in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 12, 1862, to Miss Eliza Tebbe, of that city. Mr. Rothert's residence in Iowa was soon marked by the preference of his neighbors and his public-spirited interests were soon called into active service. His first entrance into public life was as one of the county commissioners of Lee County. He was elected alderman for three successive terms, followed by large majorities for mayor of the city for two terms. His deep interest in educational matters was recognized by retaining him as a member of the board of education for nine years. Mr. Rothert was elected as senator from the first senatorial district and served for eight years, thus establishing his popularity inasmuch as the district returned overwhelming democratic majorities but recognized Mr. Rothert on the republican ticket. During his last term he was selected as president pro tem of the senate and became lieutenant governor of the state by succession, the incumbent, Lieutenant Governor Newbold, filling the vacancy of governor created by the resignation of Governor Kirkwood, who took his seat as United States senator. He was then called by the board of directors of the Union Pacific Railroad to investigate and report on the entire land system of said railroad, which having accomplished, he was offered and accepted the position of superintendent of the Iowa School for the Deaf at Council Bluffs, which he has held for twenty years. Mr. Rothert is by family relationship especially interested in the cause of the education of the deaf and considers the position he has held as a mission of life. He was president of a loan and building association, chairman of local board of underwriters and vice president of the Commercial Bank. He was the executive head of a social organization and noble grand of the Odd Fellows He was master of his lodge twelve years and eminent commander of his commandery six years. He was grand treasurer of the grand-lodge and the grand chapter, was elected as grand master of Masons of Iowa and unanimously re-elected for the second term. He was elected as grand commander of the Knights Templar.

Born in the city of Cincinnati, September 11, 1840. His father, John H. Rothert, and mother, Margaret Rothert, were early pioneers of the Queen city, having settled there in 1832. After his high school and college education Mr. Rothert engaged in commercial pursuits, becoming a member of the firm of J. H. Rothert & Sons, doing a large hardware, iron and stove business. Recognizing the western tendency of the star of empire, the business was extended by establishing a branch house in the city of Keokuk, Iowa. The firm by the retirement of the senior member and founder was changed to Rothert Brothers, and in 1863 Henry W. Rothert assumed entire control of the Iowa branch, managing its extended interests in a large territory comprised of western counties of Illinois, northern counties of Missouri and one-half of Iowa. Mr. Rothert was married in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 12, 1862, to Miss Eliza Tebbe, of that city. Mr. Rothert's residence in Iowa was soon marked by the preference of his neighbors and his public-spirited interests were soon called into active service. His first entrance into public life was as one of the county commissioners of Lee County. He was elected alderman for three successive terms, followed by large majorities for mayor of the city for two terms. His deep interest in educational matters was recognized by retaining him as a member of the board of education for nine years. Mr. Rothert was elected as senator from the first senatorial district and served for eight years, thus establishing his popularity inasmuch as the district returned overwhelming democratic majorities but recognized Mr. Rothert on the republican ticket. During his last term he was selected as president pro tem of the senate and became lieutenant governor of the state by succession, the incumbent, Lieutenant Governor Newbold, filling the vacancy of governor created by the resignation of Governor Kirkwood, who took his seat as United States senator. He was then called by the board of directors of the Union Pacific Railroad to investigate and report on the entire land system of said railroad, which having accomplished, he was offered and accepted the position of superintendent of the Iowa School for the Deaf at Council Bluffs, which he has held for twenty years. Mr. Rothert is by family relationship especially interested in the cause of the education of the deaf and considers the position he has held as a mission of life. He was president of a loan and building association, chairman of local board of underwriters and vice president of the Commercial Bank. He was the executive head of a social organization and noble grand of the Odd Fellows He was master of his lodge twelve years and eminent commander of his commandery six years. He was grand treasurer of the grand-lodge and the grand chapter, was elected as grand master of Masons of Iowa and unanimously re-elected for the second term. He was elected as grand commander of the Knights Templar.