Rosburg, Charles L. 1855-1921

ROSBURG, KART, SAGNER

Posted By: Linda Mohning, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/27/2012 at 06:22:53

One of the well-known and prominent retired farmers of Remsen is Charles L. Rosburg, who was born at Davenport, on March 1, 1855, the son of Charles H. and Mary (Kart) Rosburg, natives of Holstein, Germany, who continued to live in the land of their nativity until 1854, when they decided to come to America. On their arrival in the United States they came direct to Iowa and located at Davenport. As a young man, Charles H. Rosburg learned the shoemaker’s trade and he worked at his trade at Davenport until 1861, when he removed to Benton county, where he continued at his work and later purchased a farm. He developed and improved the place and there engaged in general farming until 1893, when he moved to a farm he had purchased near Sibley, and there he lived until the time of his death in 1895, at the age of eighty-one year. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Rosburg sold the farm and moved to Chandler, Minnesota, where she continued to live until the time of her death in 1912, age the age of eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Rosburg were active members of the Lutheran church, always took much interest in church work and were prominent in the social and religious life of the community, where they were held in the highest regard and esteem by all who knew them. They were the parents of nine children, Charles L., George, Lewis, Bertha, Albert, Herman, John, Henry and Otto, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Charles L., John and Henry. John Rosburg is a merchant at Newhall, Iowa, and Henry Rosburg is retired at Slayton, Minnesota.
Charles L. Rosburg received his education in the public schools of Benton county and grew to manhood on the home farm, where as a young man he assisted his father with the farm work. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, after which for a time he worked for others as a farm hand. On February 28, 1879, he was married to Mary Sagner, who was born in Holstein, Germany, and who came with her parents to America in 1868. The father settled in Benton county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm and where he engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1893, when he moved to Lake Wilson, Minnesota. He later lived with Mr. Rosburg for a short time and there he and his wife died two months apart, in 1905 [1904?], his death having occurred on June 30 and hers on April 30. Mr. Sagner was one of the well-known and successful men of his county and he and his wife were among the prominent members of the social and the religious life of the district. They were the parents of three children, Fritz and Lizzie, who are living at Lake Wilson, and Mary, the wife of Mr. Rosburg.
To Charles L. and Mary Rosburg have been born four children, Louis, Gustave, Ella and Lewis. Louis Rosburg is a farmer at Garretson, South Dakota. Gustave Rosburg, who is engaged in farming on the home place, married Anna Erdman and has one child, Lisle. Ella Rosburg became the wife of Fred Erdman and to them were born three children, Erline, now deceased, Ranville and Merlin. They live at Luverne, Minnesota. Lewis Rosburg is unmarried and is at home.
Soon after their marriage, Charles L. Rosburg and wife located in Benton county, where Mr. Rosburg engaged in general farming until 1884, when they came to Plymouth county. Here they purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in section 10 of Remsen township. The place at that time was but partly developed and was without improvements. Mr. Rosburg at once built a small house and began the task of developing his farm. He was successful and later increased his holdings to one hundred and sixty acres and improved his place with substantial and modern buildings. He was interested in good horses, Aberdeen Angus cattle and Poland China hogs and became known as one of the substantial farmers and stockmen of the township. Mr. Rosburg always took an active interest in local affairs and for twenty-one years was trustee of his home township and for fifteen years served on the school board, being a member of the board at the time the new school house was built in Remsen. He was always a strong advocate of the best of schools and the highest class of public improvements and devoted the same careful attention to his official duties that he did to his own private affairs. Being a man of ability and excellent judgment, his advice and influence were often sought in matters that pertained to the interests of both the township and the county. For the past three years Mr. Rosburg has been road supervisor of Remsen township.
In 1909 Charles L. Rosburg and wife retired from the activities of the life on the farm and moved to Remsen, where they built a beautiful two-story, nine-room house, which is modern in every respect. This house is situated on a tract of four acres of land is regarded as one of the most substantial homes in the city. In addition to their home place they own another residence property, situated on two acres of land in Remsen. Mr. and Mrs. Rosburg had but little financial support when they began life as young married people, yet they were determined to make a home for themselves and their family. By hard work and close application to business they have risen to positions of honor and influence in their community. They are active members of the German Lutheran church at Remsen and take much interest in church work. They take an active interest in the social and the religious life of the community and have always been interested in the development of the schools of the township and the county. They have been indulgent parents and have given their children good educations. They are among the most hospital people in the city and are held in the highest regard. Their lives have been well spent and they have accomplished much, not only for themselves and their family, but for the community in general.

Source: The History of Plymouth County, Vol. II, edited by W. S. Freeman, 1917