WI BIO - ROCKWELL, James B.

History of Richland County, Wisconsin. Miner, J. H., ed. Chicago: Western 
Historical, 1906, pp 619-620

James B. ROCKWELL, one of the prominent and successful farmers of the 
Township of Forest, was born 23 May 1860 in Forest Township [Richland County, 
Wisconsin], a son of Horace L. and Elizabeth C. (LEECE) ROCKWELL. Horace L. 
ROCKWELL was a son of James L. and Sybil (CRANE) ROCKWELL, and Elizabeth C. 
(LEECE) ROCKWELL was a daughter of John L. and Flick LEECE. James L. 
ROCKWELL [paternal grandfather of the subject] was born in 1808 in 
Connecticut, and Sybil (CRANE) ROCKWELL [paternal grandmother] was born in 
1818 in New York State.

The maternal grandparents of James B. ROCKWELL [John L. and Flick LEECE] were 
born in West Virginia [which was at that time still part of Virginia, West 
Virginia becoming a State in 1863]. One of the maternal great grandfathers 
of Mr. [James B.] ROCKWELL was a patriot soldier in the Continental line 
during the Revolutionary War, having served under General Nathaniel GREENE in 
his southern campaign.

Horace L. ROCKWELL [father of James B.] removed from Pennsylvania to Indiana, 
where he remained until 1853, when he came as a pioneer to Richland County 
[Wisconsin], where he bought 120 acres of land near Lone Rock [a border 
community in Buena Vista Township, Richland County, which actually extends 
over the boundary into Sauk County, Wisconsin]. In 1856 he [Horace L. 
ROCKWELL] took up his residence in the Town of Forest [Richland County], 
where he secured 160 acres of wild land, which he reclaimed to cultivation. 
He was one of the honored and influential citizens of Richland County, taking 
an active interest in public affairs. In politics he was originally a Whig, 
but he espoused the cause of the Republican party at the time of its 
inception [about 1854], having been one of the organizers of the same in 
Forest Township. He served as a member of the town board and for many years 
was incumbent of the office of Justice of the Peace. For thirty years he was 
a minister of the Baptist church, but at the time of his death he held 
membership in the Christian Church. He [Horace L. ROCKWELL] died in 1894 [22 
January 1892?], and his wife [Elizabeth C. (LEECE) ROCKWELL] passed away in 
1901 [04 April 1904?]; four of their six children are [text published 1906] 
living.

James B. ROCKWELL, the subject of this sketch , was reared on the home farm 
and was afforded the advantages of the public schools, including a term in 
the high school at Richland Center [in Richland Township, Richland County]. 
He put his scholastic attainments to practical use by engaging in teaching in 
the district schools, being thus engaged for one year , since which time he 
has given his undivided attention to agriculture pursuits, along which line 
he has gained marked success. He is the owner of a well improved farm of 180 
acres, and in addition to diversified agriculture he makes a specialty of 
breeding Norman horses and Shropshire sheep. He has always been a stalwart 
supporter of the principles and polices of the Republican party, and at the 
present time is serving as a member of town board. Both he and his wife 
[both ] hold membership in the United Brethren church.

On 06 May 1884 Mr. [James B.] ROCKWELL was united in marriage to Miss 
Elizabeth FETTY, who was born and reared in Marshall Township, Richland 
County [Wisconsin], a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth FETTY. Mr. and Mrs. 
ROCKWELL [James B. and Elizabeth (FETTY) ROCKWELL] have had seven children, 
six living [text published 1906]: (1) Ethel, who graduated from the high 
school at Viola [Richland County], is a successful and popular teacher in the 
public schools of her native county; (2) Theodora; (3) Gilbert, a student 
in the Viola high school; (4) Ross, also a student in the Viola high school; 
(5) Grace; (6) Leo; and (7) James, deceased. [James B. ROCKWELL who died 
02 January 1903 in Richland County, Wisconsin, is more likely the father of 
this James. Death certificate not viewed by submitter.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly