P. Frederick Rothermel
Encyclopedia
Peter Frederick Rothermel, Jr. (September 27, 1850 -May 26, 1929) was a Pennsylvania
lawyer
and politician. Rothermel was born in Philadelphia, the son of Peter F. Rothermel
, a successful artist, and his wife, Caroline Goodhart. After attending various schools in Europe while his father was employed there, Rothermel graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia in 1867. Following his graduation, Rothermel clerked in the law office of James T. Mitchell, a prominent Philadelphia attorney who would later serve on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
.
in 1871. For the next fifteen years, he found successful employment as a corporate attorney in Philadelphia representing many of that city's corporate titans, including John Wanamaker
. In 1881, Rothermel married Josephine Bryant, the daughter of Walter Bryant, a coal baron and sister of Henry Grier Bryant, the explorer. The couple had one son, Peter F. Rothermel, III, born in 1883.
and was elected, defeating James M. Beck
. The following year, Rothermel served as prosecutor in the corruption trial of Senator Matthew Quay
. Quay was found innocent after an eleven-day trial.
After his term as District Attorney ended in 1901, Rothermel was refused renomination by the Republican machine politicians, owing to his prosecution of Quay. He was nominated by a group of reformers on a fusion ticket, but failed to be re-elected. Following his defeat, Rothermel resumed his successful corporate practice. He died on May 26, 1919 at his home on Rittenhouse Square
.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician. Rothermel was born in Philadelphia, the son of Peter F. Rothermel
Peter F. Rothermel
Peter Frederick Rothermel was an American painter.-Biography:Rothermel was born in Nescopeck, Pennsylvania in 1817, although some date his birth earlier, in 1813 or 1814. He had a common-school education, and studied land surveying. At age 20, he moved to Philadelphia and became a sign painter....
, a successful artist, and his wife, Caroline Goodhart. After attending various schools in Europe while his father was employed there, Rothermel graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia in 1867. Following his graduation, Rothermel clerked in the law office of James T. Mitchell, a prominent Philadelphia attorney who would later serve on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the court of last resort for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It meets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.-History:...
.
Legal career and family
Rothermel was admitted to the barBar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
in 1871. For the next fifteen years, he found successful employment as a corporate attorney in Philadelphia representing many of that city's corporate titans, including John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker was a United States merchant, religious leader, civic and political figure, considered by some to be the father of modern advertising and a "pioneer in marketing." Wanamaker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Biography:He was born on July 11, 1838.He opened his first store in...
. In 1881, Rothermel married Josephine Bryant, the daughter of Walter Bryant, a coal baron and sister of Henry Grier Bryant, the explorer. The couple had one son, Peter F. Rothermel, III, born in 1883.
Political career
In 1884, Rothermel considered an attempt at election to City Solicitor, but later withdrew his candidacy. In 1898, Rothermel ran for District Attorney of Philadelphia as a RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and was elected, defeating James M. Beck
James M. Beck
James Montgomery Beck was an American lawyer and politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as U.S. Solicitor General and U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania....
. The following year, Rothermel served as prosecutor in the corruption trial of Senator Matthew Quay
Matthew Quay
Matthew Stanley Quay was an immensely powerful Pennsylvania political boss; "kingmaker" . "Boss" Quay's political principles and actions stood in contrast to an unusually attractive personality...
. Quay was found innocent after an eleven-day trial.
After his term as District Attorney ended in 1901, Rothermel was refused renomination by the Republican machine politicians, owing to his prosecution of Quay. He was nominated by a group of reformers on a fusion ticket, but failed to be re-elected. Following his defeat, Rothermel resumed his successful corporate practice. He died on May 26, 1919 at his home on Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is one of the five original open-space parks planned by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme during the late 17th century in central Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The park cuts off 19th Street at Walnut Street and also at a half block above Manning Street. Its boundaries are...
.