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.^[1] 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.^[1]

Legal career and family

Rothermel was admitted to the bar in 1871.^[2] 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.^[1][2] In 1881, Rothermel married Josephine Bryant, the daughter of Walter Bryant, a coal baron and sister of Henry Grier Bryant, the explorer.^[2] The couple had one son, Peter F. Rothermel, III, born in 1883.^[2]

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 Republican and was elected, defeating James M. Beck.^[2] The following year, Rothermel served as prosecutor in the corruption trial of Senator Matthew Quay.^[3] Quay was found innocent after an eleven-day trial.^[3]

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, losing to future mayor John Weaver.^[4] Following his defeat, Rothermel resumed his successful corporate practice.^[2] He died on May 26, 1919, at his home on Rittenhouse Square.^[2]

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