ROSENBERG, R. C.

ROSENBERG, SCHMIDT, MIELKE, KRUEGER, NACK, DIETERICHS

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 12/31/2009 at 21:41:10

R. C. Rosenberg, prominent in agricultural and insurance circles and, in fact, prominently connected with various business enterprises which have had to do with the upbuilding and development of his section of the state, was born October 12, 1876, on the farm on which he still resides, on section 29, Newburg township, Mitchell county, his parents being August H. and Wilhelmina (Schmidt) Rosenberg.

The father was born in Germany, October 13, 1841, and when he came with his parents to the new world settled in Watertown, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1869. He was twenty-eight years of age when he came to Mitchell county, Iowa, and took up his abode on the farm now the home of his son, R. C. Rosenberg. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years with notable success, but eventually retired from active farm work and settled in St. Ansgar. He was not only well known in agricultural circles but was also recognized as one of the foremost business men of his district. He became the founder of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, which was established thirty-eight years ago, and he served as its president for thirty-one years. He was also a stockholder and one of the charter members of the Cooperative Lumber & Grain Company and the Cooperative Creamery. He was much interested in cooperative work, recognizing the value of such a course to those who became interested therein. He believed that results could be more quickly and effectively secured through cooperation than through competition and he did everything in his power along that line to further the interests and welfare of his fellowmen. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and his position upon any vital question was never an equivocal one. He belonged to the German Lutheran church and was one of the organizers of the church at Rock Creek, of which he was a liberal supporter, contributing ten per cent of his wealth to aid in the extension of its work and the spread of its influence. He passed away February 2, 1913, and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had become endeared to his fellow townsmen by reason of his genuine personal worth, his high principles and his manly conduct. In his family were seven children, namely: Ed; Helena, who became Mrs. Mielke and resides at St. Ansgar; Elvina, who married Ed Krueger, of Salem, North Dakota; R. C., of this review; Carl, who died when nine years old; Alvin, who died in infancy; and Ella, who became the wife of William Nack, of Grafton, Iowa.

R. C. Rosenberg, reared under the parental roof, pursued his education in the township schools and was thus well qualified for life's practical and re­sponsible duties. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he worked for his father and continued to assist him in the management of the farm until he took over the place in 1899. His attention has since been given to its further development and cultivation and his fields produce excellent crops as the result of his indefatigable energy intelligently directed. His farm work is conducted along scientific lines and his practical efforts result in the harvesting of large crops annually, so that his success is constantly increasing. Like his father, he has also figured prominently in other business connections. He has served for the past five years as president of the insurance company, is a stockholder in the lumber and grain company and also in the Cooperative Creamery Company. He is likewise president of the Rock Township Cemetery Association, of which he was one of the organizers. In business matters he displays sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise and in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail. He recognizes the fact that when one avenue of opportunity seems closed he can seek out other paths which will lead him to the desired goal.

On the 20th of September, 1900, Mr. Rosenberg was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Dieterichs, who was born April 18, 1879, in Mitchell county, a daughter of Lewis Dieterichs, who came from Germany and who passed away March 17, 1917, at the very advanced age of eighty-seven years and five days. He was one of the pioneer settlers of this county who witnessed its development from a very early period and at all times bore his share in the work of general improvement and progress. To Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg were born six children, Reuben, Lawrence, Roy, Elvin, deceased, Elmer, and Luella, born on November 13, 1917.
In his political views Mr. Rosenberg is a republican, giving active and stalwart support to the party. He served as trustee of his township for four years but otherwise has never sought political office. He belongs to the German Lutheran church, in which he has been a trustee for nine years, and for the past four years he has been its secretary. As one of the native sons of the county his record reflects credit and honor upon the community in which he has always lived. There have been no spectacular phases in his career but his diligence and enterprise in business, his public-spirited citizenship and his loyalty to the ties of home and friendship are characteristics which have established him high in the regard of his fellow townsmen.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1918, pages 113-115.