Born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Lothian was a son of John James and Catherine (née Rogers).
After graduation from Cleveland Heights High School, he attended Ohio State University where received his B.A.
[5][6] Outside of his political and professorship careers, Lothian was a past president of the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Lions Club.
He was a member of many philanthropic organizations, including the Medinah Shriners and the Williams Bay Lions Club.
As a Christian, Lothian was a member and deacon of the United Church of Christ in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.