James Rockwell
James C. Rockwell (October 4, 1881- July 30, 1962) was an American businessman. He was President of the Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company (Meralco), Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Manila, Charter member and President of the Rotary Club of Manila, and Founder and Commodore of the Manila Yacht Club. Rockwell Center is named after him.
James Rockwell | |
|---|---|
 Rockwell in 1924 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Chapman Rockwell October 4, 1881 Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | July 30, 1962 (aged 80) California, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Dorothy Shepard Ann Hanlon Rockwell |
| Children | William S. Rockwell Patricia J. Rockwell James C. Rockwell, Jr. |
| Parent(s) | William Brewer Rockwell (father) Clara Louise Chapman (mother) |
| Alma mater | Cornell University |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Known for | President of Meralco Founder of Manila Yacht Club Director of American Chamber of Commerce in Manila |
| Nickname | Jim |
Early life
Rockwell was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to William B. Rockwell and his wife, Clara L. Chapman.[1][2]
Education
In 1904, Rockwell graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.[2]
Career
In 1911, Rockwell arrived in Manila to join the Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company (Meralco) as a railway manager. In 1919, he was appointed Vice-President and later became general manager. In 1939 he became President.[2]
In 1939, Rockwell was the Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Manila.[2]
Santo Tomas Internment Camp
In World War II, during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Rockwell, his wife Ann and their son James C. Rockwell Jr. were interned at the Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila.[3][4]
Personal life
On May 8, 1913, Rockwell married Dorothy Shepard at the American Consulate General in Yokohama, Empire of Japan.[5]
On July 1, 1919, Rockwell became the 2nd President of the Rotary Club of Manila, after its charter was handed down, succeeding Leon J. Lambert who served as President for a month during incorporation. Rockwell completed his term on June 30, 1920, at the end of the first full Rotary year.[6]
On August 28, 1926, Rockwell married Ann Hanlon in Manila.[7] On July 29, 1928, Rockwell and Hanlon's son James Chapman Rockwell Jr. was born.[8]
In 1927, Rockwell founded the Manila Yacht Club and served as its Commodore. Rockwell also played a role in the establishment of the Manila Polo Club and Manila Golf Club.[9]
Death and legacy
Rockwell died on July 30, 1962, and was buried in El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove, California.[1]
Rockwell Thermal Plant and Rockwell Center
In 1950, Meralco began operating the Rockwell Thermal Plant named after Rockwell in Makati. In 1994, the thermal plant became decommissioned. The plant building became the upscale Power Plant Mall.[10]
In 1995, López Holdings Corporation formed the Rockwell Land Corporation to develop the 15.5-hectare (38-acre) area of the former thermal plant. The development retained Rockwell's name and is now known as Rockwell Center.[10]
References
- Montereygenealogist (25 Jul 2013). "James C. Rockwell". Find a Grave.
- Cornejo, Miguel R. (1939). Cornejo's Commonwealth Directory of the Philippines. Manila: Miguel R. Cornejo. pp. 2069–2070.
- Stevens, Frederic Harper (1946). Santo Tomas Internment Camp: 1942-1945. Stratford House, Incorporated. p. 522.
- Rizal Library (2008). "Santo Tomas Internment Camp Internees: Lacey, Sharon to Rodgers, George Marcus". Rizal Library. p. 300.
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Marriage Reports in State Department Decimal Files, 1910-1949; Record Group: 59, General Records of the Department of State, 1763 - 2002; Series ARC ID: 2555709; Series MLR Number: A1, Entry 3001; Series Box Number: 472; File Number: 133.R59
- "Balita No. 3746" (PDF). The Rotary Club of Manila. May 30, 2018. p. 8.
- Ancestry.com. Philippines, Select Marriages, 1723-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
- National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for New York City, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147
- Del Mundo, Ida Anita (July 15, 2017). "Smooth sailing, Manila Yacht Club's 90th year". PhilStar.
- Lopez Holdings Corp. (December 9, 2010). "Milestone of Rockwell Thermal Plant". Lopez Link.