FREDERICK W. ROTTGER, was one of the most successful and enterprising business men of Mount Sterling, was born near Mendon, Prussia, August 8, 1844. His father, William Rottger, was born in the same country, and there was reared and married. In 1845 he determined to try his fortunes in the New World, and left his family behind until he should seek out a home for them in the strange, new land. He located in Morgan County, Illinois, where he died about a year later. His wife was left in very humble circumstances, with four little children. In 1850 she brought her family to America, sailing from Bremen and landing in New Orleans; thence they came via the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Naples, and completed the journey to Jacksonville by rail. Frederick W. was bound out to E. S. Hendrickson, a farmer then residing in Morgan county, with whom he remained until he had attained his majority. His early life was spent on the farm, but he managed to learn the art of telegraphy, and came to Mount Sterling to accept a position with the Wabash Railway Company as station agent. For more than a quarter of a century he has had charge of the company's business at this point, and by his years of faithful service has gained the entire confidence of the officials of the corporation. After he had been in Mount Sterling a short time he began contracting for railroad ties, and has carried on this business continuously since that time. In 1874 he purchased an interest in the lumber business of C. M. Dunlap, and in 1882 bought the entire concern, since which time he has conducted the trade alone. In 1878 he added the grain business to his own interests, and has done a large amount of buying and shipping. He also has immense agricultural interests, and owns 800 acres of fine farming land in Pea Ridge township.

Mr. Rottger was married October 18, 1865, to Eugenia Peters, a native of Steubenville, Ohio, and a daughter of Stebbens and Alicia (Tracy) Peters; of this union five children have been born: Eugenia, Nina, Myrtle, Frederick W. and Winnifred. Mrs. Rottger is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Our worthy subject belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of Hardin Lodge, No. 44, A.F. & A.M., Delta Commandry, No. 48, K.T., and the Quincy Consistory. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and has represented the people of his township in many of the local offices; he was the first Mayor of Mount Sterling, and has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors. He is also the choice of his party to represent Brown county in the State Legislature. He is a man of unquestioned integrity, true to his friends, and strong in the purposes he considers just and right.