Charles Rose (1851-1931)

ROSE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 10:30:08

Charles Rose
(September 11 1851 – March 15, 1931)

Sweden has furnished to Calhoun County many citizens of worth who have contributed to its progress and improvement and taking advantage of the opportunities afforded in the new world they have worked their way upward to positions of prominence. Such is the history of Charles Rose, who was born in Sund Oster Gotland, Sweden, September 11, 1851, his parents being Peter and Maggie (Olson) Rose, who were also natives of the same locality. The father was a farmer and mechanic and after carving on business for a number of years in his native land he resolved to seek a home and fortune in the new world. It was in 1868 that with his family he took passage on a westward bound vessel and crossed the Atlantic to the United States. His destination was Jefferson County. Iowa, and there he resided for a short time, his death occurring in Wapello County in 1869. His wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1900, at the home of our subject. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are living: Charles, the subject of this review; Charlotte, the wife of S. A. Johnson, of Brooklyn, Iowa; Clara, wife of Nels Peterson, a resident of Marshantown, Iowa; and Oscar, who married Nettie Peterson, and resides in Ottumwa. Iowa. Charles Rose has a vivid recollection of his native district, for he spent seventeen years of his life there, and then with his parents came to America. Upon the death of his father the burden of the family support largely devolved upon him. He first rented land in Wapello County, the owner of the farm furnishing all necessary supplies and in return received two-thirds of the profit. It was in this way that Mr. Rose obtained a start in his business life. He remained in Wapello County for seven years and afterward spent eleven years in Poweshiek County, where he rented land of the same man who had owned the Calhoun County property, which is now owned by Mr.
Rose. At length his labors brought to him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase property, and he became the owner of the
farm upon which he now resides, in 1883. In 1887 he took up his abode thereon. It is situated in Reading Township, not far from
the village of Farnhamville. When he took possession it was raw prairie land, entirely destitute of improvements, and everything
upon the place is an indication and proof of his enterprise and progressive spirit. He has purchased an additional tract of one
hundred and sixty acres and now owns a half-section. He has a pleasant residence, good barns and outbuildings and all modern
accessories for carrying on farm work. About forty-five acres of his land are planted to corn, and his grain fields cover one hundred acres, while in addition he has rich meadows and pasture lands. He keeps from fifty to sixty head of cattle, mostly shorthorns of the Durham breed, and in his farming operations he is meeting with creditable and well merited prosperity.
On the 9th of March. 1880. Air. Rose was united in marriage to Miss Emma Johnson, who was born in Sweden, in 1862, and is a daughter of Jonas Johnson. They now have seven children, as follows: Frank; David; Efiie; Nellie; Helena; Oliver; and Sadie. Mr. Rose votes for the Republican party, having always endorsed its principles since he became a naturalized citizen of the new world. He belongs to the Methodist church, which finds in him a consistent and active member. The thrift, perseverance and adaptability so characteristic of his race are manifest in his career and there is no more loyal citizen of Calhoun County than this adopted son that Sweden has sent to the new world. His life records prove conclusively that prosperity will follow earnest effort if it is guided by good business judgment, for when he came to the United States he was without capital and all that he has acquired has come to him in return for his energetic labor. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.401]