Edward Rotan attended the common schools of Tennessee. Entering the Confederate Army in April 1861, he served until June, 1865, in the 16th TN Infantry, Wrights's Brigade. He participated in several major engagements, including Corinth, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Dalton, and Franklin. After the war he returned to TN, living there until 1866 when he moved to TX.
He came to Waco in 1867 and taught school at Speegleville and East Waco until 1870 when he associated with W.R. Kellum in the general merchandise business under the firm name of Kellum and Rotan. After Kellum's death in 1890, the business was reorganized and incorporated under the name of Rota Grocery Co. He withdrew from the company in 1892. From 1892 to 1920 Rotan was president of the First National Bank and later became chairman of the board of directors. He served as a trustee of the Waco public schools for 21 years and was a pioneer in independent telephone work. He also brought the first street cards, which were drawn by horses, to Waco.
During the period of his widest business activity from 1900 to 1910, he was president of the Rotan Grocery Co., First Natl. Bank, Texas Telephone Co., Texas Townsite Co., vice-president of Electric Construction Co., Waco Drug and Stationery Co., Behrens Drug Co., Dr. Pepper Co. and treasurer of Waco Knitting Mills and Texas Central Railroad.
On Aug. 22, 1869, he married Kate Sturm McCall; they were the parents of 9 children.
The town of Rotan in Fisher County was named for him.
sources: Handbook of Waco and McLennan County Texas, and death certificate.

Rotan School
The Rotan School, named for Edward Rotan of Tennessee who became principal of the school after Civil War, was located in a grove of live oak trees at the northeast corner of present Taylor and Church streets. Rotan's four assistants at the school were Mordis Faulkner and the Misses Mary Beaty, Kate McCall, and Maggie Tucker. He resigned his position in 1869 to enter the grocery business. Handbook of Waco and McLennan County Texas.