John S. Rockwell is known as the "father of Oconomowoc."[1] He is responsible for building many of the city's original foundations: a grist mill, the first store, hotel, fire department, elementary school,[2] and library.[3] Rockwell also donated land for the community's churches. In January 1856, John and his brother D. Henry were among the trustees who obtained a state charter for the Oconomowoc Seminary, an Episcopalian female seminary for the Diocese of Wisconsin;[4] the Oconomowoc Seminary was later called Bord du Lac.

In many of these enterprises, he worked with his youngest brother, D. Henry Rockwell (who served in the Wisconsin State Assembly); John was the eldest. In 1859, their parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home in Elkhorn, Wisconsin; at that time, John was described as the eldest child, and D. Henry as the youngest (and unmarried).[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce".
  2. ↑ Kane, Mary (2006). Oconomowoc. Arcadia Publishing. p. 7, 61, 55, 91, 75, 9, 74, 86, 18. ISBN 9780738540894.
  3. ↑ "Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce".
  4. ↑ The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development, and Resources... Part 1; Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880; pp. 445-46
  5. ↑ "Golden Wedding at Elkhorn, Wis." m Fox Lake Gazette March 15, 1859; p. 2, col. 5
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.