ROTHERT, OTTO ARTHUR: 1871-
Otto Arthur Rothert was born in Huntingburg, Ind., the son of Herman, a native of Hanover, Germany, and Franziska Weber Rothert, who had been born in Baden . The Rotherts were prosperous citizens of the southern Indiana German community and young Otto had every advantage.
After attending local schools he was entered in the preparatory department and later the University of Notre Dame, receiving the A.B. degree in 1892.
The Rotherts moved to Louisville, Ky., in 1889, and young Otto joined them there after graduation. He helped in his father's tobacco exporting business and clerked at that ancient Louisville hostlery, The Gait House, when his talents for the tobacco business became obvious by their almost total absence.
After his father's death in 1904 Otto Rothert toured Mexico and the West and on his return began to visit historic sites in Kentucky and the Middle West. The family had purchased 2600 acres in Muhlenberg County, Ky., and he became greatly interested in the locality. This interest resulted in his first book, the History of Muhlenberg County, a remarkably fine piece of local history recording.
In 1908 he had become a member of The Filson Club of Louisville , an organization devoted to the preservation of Kentucky and midwestern history, which then had among its members Col. Reuben T. Durrett, Basil W. Duke, James S. Pirtle, Thomas W. Bullitt, C. Ballard Thruston, Alfred Pirtle and others page: 277[View Page 277] of the most justly celebrated of America's amateur historians. Rothert's interest in the club grew with his interest in historical writing: he was elected secretary in 1917.
Under the guidance and financial support of the president, C. Ballard Thruston, and the new secretary the club grew and prospered, acquiring a beautiful club house in 1929 and, over the years, a remarkable collection of historical material. Both officers continued until Otto Rothert resigned, due to ill health, on Apr. 1, 1945.
From Tapp–Otto A. Rothert, 1871-
- History of Muhlenberg County.
Louisville, 1913.
- A History of Unity Baptist Church, Muhlenberg County,
Kentucky. Louisville, 1914.
- The Story of a Poet: Madison Cawein; His Intimate Life as
Revealed by His Letters and Other Hitherto Unpublished Material, Including
Reminiscences by His Closest Associates; Also Articles from Newspapers and
Magazines, and a List of His Poems. Louisville,
1921.
- Picturography of Madison Cawein; a Reprint of the First
Chapter of the Story of a Poet: Madison Cawein.
Louisville, 1921.
- The Filson Club and Its Activities, 1884-1922; a History of
the Filson Club, Including Lists of Filson Club Publications and Papers on
Kentucky History Prepared for the Club, Also Names of Members.
Louisville, 1922.
- The Outlaws of Cave-in-Rock; Historical Accounts of the
Famous Highwaymen and River Pirates Who Operated in Pioneer Days Upon the
Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and Over the Old Natchez Trace.
Cleveland, O., 1924.
- Forest Retreat and Its Garden, in Muhlenberg County,
Kentucky, Near Greenville. Louisville, 1938.
- List of Shrubs and Trees in the Garden at Forest
Retreat. Louisville, 1942.
