President of the Washington Wool Growers’ Association, leading Shorthorn breeder in the Pacific Northwest and mining magnate.
1870-1957 | Artist: Joseph Allworthy (1892-1991)
Impact & Accomplishments
In 1894, Frank M. Rothrock moved from Indiana to Idaho and worked as a butcher. In 1904, he settled in Spokane, Washington, establishing Rothrock Land and Live Stock Company. Initially, he focused on his sheep operation, and Rothrock served as president of the Washington Wool Growers’ Association.
Within a few years, however, he was the most significant Shorthorn cattle breeder in the Pacific Northwest, serving as president of the American Shorthorn Breeders Association. Frank Rothrock donated purebred calves for University of Idaho students to raise and exhibit, and proceeds from their cattle sales benefited students with financial need.
Rothrock was simultaneously invested in mining companies, and after the heart of his herd was dispersed in 1934, he focused on mining management. When a dozen companies merged as Day Mines, Inc., in 1947, the result was one of the largest silver-lead-zinc companies in the United States. Rothrock was vice president of the Day Mines board. In 1959, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners.
Did You Know?
Hercules Mine and Mill in Burke, Idaho was one of several mines consolidated into Day Mines, Inc. a company that Rothrock served as Vice President of the Board.
According to the Biography of FRANK MILES ROTHROCK from "The Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, 1903", Rothrock was the owner of the famous Wyandotte Caves in Indiana. Currently the caves are owned and operated by the state of Indiana. Photo credit: Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
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