My Genealogy Hound

Kleber P. Rockwell, prosecuting attorney of Oakland County, whose portrait* is herewith shown, was born November 8, 1868, in the township of Bloomfield, Oakland County, and is a son of the late Edward J. Rockwell, of West Bloomfield, his ancestors being among the earliest settlers of Oakland County, and being descendants of William Rockwell, who settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1630.

Mr. Rockwell was reared to young manhood upon a farm. He received his education in the public schools and began teaching school at the age of 20 and later supplemented his education with a three-years’ course at the Fenton Normal School. He began the study of law with Judge George W. Smith in 1893, subsequently entering the office of Taft & Smith in 1894 and has been an office associate with Congressman S. W. Smith ever since.

After passing a very creditable examination, he was admitted to the bar January 8, 1895, since which time he has enjoyed an extensive practice. He was also admitted to practice in the United States courts March 22, 1899.

Politically, he is a Republican and was nominated by that party in 1898 for the office of prosecuting attorney and was elected by a majority of over 1,100; he was also unanimously re-nominated to succeed himself in 1900 and 1902 and was re-elected each time by a majority of nearly 1,600, running several hundred ahead of his ticket each time.

In the discharge of the duties of his office and in prosecuting criminals he was very successful. During his incumbency he was identified with many important criminal trials and has secured convictions of some of the most noted criminals of Michigan, prominent among whom was Henry Wiseman, convicted of murder in the first degree for the murder of Mrs. Ellen Huss.

Mr. Rockwell was married September 10, 1896, to Maude A. King, daughter of the late George W. King, of Clarkston, and to them were born three children, — two daughters and a son, — Alice, Helen and Edward J.

In 1902 he formed a co-partnership with Henry M. Zimmermann, under the firm name of Rockwell & Zimmermann, which firm is enjoying an extensive law practice.

*Editor's note: Portrait was included in the original printed book.