William R. Rockhill

William R. Rockhill (February 10, 1793 – January 15, 1865) was an American politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from Indiana from 1847 to 1849.

Born in Burlington, New Jersey, Rockhill attended the public schools. He moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1823. He engaged in agricultural pursuits.

He served as commissioner of Allen County, Indiana, in 1825 Justice of the Peace. He served as member of the first city council of Fort Wayne and also city assessor. He served as member of the State house of representatives 1834-1837. He served in the State senate 1844-1847.

Rockhill was elected as a Democrat to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849). He resumed agricultural pursuits.

William R. Rockhill was first married to Theodosia Richardson (1797–1833). Their daughter, Elizabeth (1816–1889), married Isaac DeGroff Nelson (1810–1891), and they were the parents of the famous Kansas City newspaper baron, William Rockhill Nelson (1841–1915). Theodosia died on Friday, August 16, 1833. On Thursday, February 14, 1839, William Rockhill married Eliza Ann Waugh (1816-1845). Eliza died on Thursday, April 24, 1845, and on Friday, September 29, 1848, William Rockhill married Elizabeth Hill (1820–1859). Elizabeth died on Monday, May 9, 1859, and William's fourth and final marriage was to Emily Waugh (1824-1903), who may have been the younger sister of Eliza Waugh. (Currently, the parents of those women are unknown.)

Rockhill died at Fort Wayne on January 15, 1865. He was interred in Lindenwood Cemetery.

• United States Congress. "William R. Rockhill (id: R000364)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• William R. Rockhill at Find a Grave

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress