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Note: From "History of Ventura County:"
WILLIAM STONEWALL J. ROTSLER.
William Stonewall J. Rotsler, scion of a pioneer family of Ventura county, is serving on the board of supervisors and displays rare qualities as a public official. He was born January 4, 1862, in Cairo, Greene county, New York. His father, George F. Rotsler, was a native of Germany, born in Baden, January 4, 1831, and received his education in the fatherland. In 1849, when a young man of eighteen, he responded to the call of adventure and came to the United States. He was an expert machinist and found employment in a flour mill, also working for a paper manufacturer. He afterward became a merchant, conducting the business for four years, and in 1867 went to Missouri. In that state he followed agricultural pursuits until 1874, when he disposed of his property and came to California. He purchased a tract of seventy-five acres near Saricoy and later sold the land. He lived in the city of Ventura for a year
and then entered the field of real estate. Subsequently he resumed his agricultural operations, purchasing land, which he brought to a high state of development. In 1854, while a resident of Greene county, New York. he was married to Miss Sarah E. Golden, by whom he had two sons and a daughter: Georgiana G., Charles D. and William Stonewall J. The mother of these children passed away and in
1872 Mr. Rotsler remarried. His second union was with Miss Hannah E. Lewis, and they were the parents of two children: L. F. and S. L.
William S. J. Rotsler received his early instruction in Missouri and completed his education in the public schools of Ventura county. For some time he aided his father in operating the ranch and afterward worked on the Crane properties. In the early days he drove a stage between Ventura and Los Angeles and afterward worked for the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company for a year. He was next a fireman for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and at the end of two years was promoted to the position of
locomotive engineer. For thirty-two years he faithfully served the road in that capacity, and in 1912, he resumed the occupation of farming, converting his place into one of the fine ranches of Ventura county.
Mr. Rotsler was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lea Middleton, a native of Fresno, California, and they have a son, Charles G., who is cultivating, the home farm. Mr. Rotsler is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and his political support is given to the republican party. In 1919 he was called to public office, becoming a member of the board of county supervisors, and is now serving for a second term. Soon after his election Mr. Rotsler saw the imperative need of new equipment and led in the movement which resulted in the purchasing of the county garage. The three antiquated trucks have been replaced by twenty-six of the most modern type, as well as a new roller, steam shovel and everything required for the construction of roads. The work of building the public highways has been greatly facilitated during Mr. Rotsler's tenure of office, and the method of accounting in the garage has
been followed with profit by other counties of the state. Coming to southern California when a boy of twelve, Mr. Rotsler has experienced many phases of frontier life, witnessing the progress of civilization in this region, and in the work of upbuildlng he has borne his full share He has a wide acquaintance in the county and his strength of character and high principles have won for him many loyal friends.
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