John Rountree

John Rountree in 1904

John Asa Rountree (born March 22, 1867 in Hartselle, Morgan County – died July 10, 1936 in Birmingham) was the a newspaper editor, magazine publisher, and advocate for road improvements.

John was the son of Scott Lefevre Rountree, a Morgan County physician, and his wife, the former George Anna Thompson. He was educated in the county's schools and as a youngster contributed articles to the local press. He founded the Alabama Enquirer at Hartselle on March 30, 1887 and remained as editor for nine years. In 1895 he founded a magazine The Dixie Home and also married the former Maude McIver, with who he had three children, John Jr, Selene, and McIver.

Rountree sold his interest in the Enquirer in 1896 and moved to Birmingham. He bought part interest in the Daily State Herald, and was immediately made a member of the board of directors and manager of the Age-Herald Publishing Company. Not long afterward he assumed the position of president, but sold his interest in 1897 to focus on his magazine.

In 1899 Rountree added The Dixie Manufacturer, a semi-monthly, to his magazine holdings, which were incorporated in 1903 as the Rountree Publishing Company. As long-time secretary of the Alabama Press Association he organized junkets to the Chicago World's Fair, Havana, the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta, the Nashville Centennial, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls and Toronto, Pike's Peak, California, and a cruise to Boston and New York. He was also a charter member and vice-president of the Birmingham Press Club and a member and vice-president of the Birmingham Commercial Club.

Rountree helped found the North Alabama Good Roads Association in 1891 and later became general director of the National Good Roads Association. He was also active in Democratic politics, serving on several executive committees and acting as delegate to county, district and state conventions. Rountree died at home of a heart attack in 1936.

References

• Dubose, Joel Campbell (1904) Notable men of Alabama: Personal and Genealogical 2 Volumes. Atlanta, Georgia: Southern Historical Association
• "Heart Attack Is Fatal To Asa Rountree, Sr." (July 10, 1936) Troy Messenger