The Root Glen, on the grounds of Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, is named not for having a lot of roots (although it does due to the trees), but for Oren Root, a professor of Mathematics at Hamilton College who was the father of Elihu Root, who is usually the person more associated with the Glen.

Elihu Root, was a Senator for New York (1909-1915), United States Secretary of War (1899-1904), and United States Secretary of State (1905-1909). Eventually he also studied at Hamilton College, as did his son, also named Elihu Root.

According to this website:

www.hamilton.edu/arboretum/root-glen/root-glen-history

...the Glen is officially named after the Root family, who maintained it until 1971, when it was fully transferred to Hamilton College