ROSEL, Paul F.

ROSEL, TREICHEL, ADRIAN

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 7/14/2006 at 11:49:07

Prominent among the energetic, progressive and enterprising men of St. Ansgar is Paul F. Rosel, one of the partners in the firm of Sponheim & Rosel, dealers in dry goods and clothing.

He was born September 30, 1882, in the city in which he still makes his home, his parents being Fred and Augusta Rosel. The father was a native of Wisconsin, born January 2, 1857, and was a son of Leonard Rosel, who emigrated from Germany to the new world when a youth of fourteen years, since which time the family has been represented on American soil. Leonard Rosel brought his family to Iowa in 1871, settling in Mitchell county, at which time his son, Fred Rosel, was a youth of fourteen years. The latter continued his residence in this county arid after attaining his majority invested in land, becoming the owner of a tract of one hundred and eighty acres a half mile east of St. Ansgar.

For many years he resided upon that place, which he brought under a high state of cultivation and to which he added many modern improvements. He lived upon the farm until 1916, when he retired from active business life and took up his abode in St. Ansgar, where he is now enjoying a well earned rest. He is a stockholder in the elevator and in the creamery company. His investments have been judiciously placed, so that he now derives a gratifying annual income. His religious faith is that of the German Lutheran church and in politics he has always been a democrat since reaching adult age. On the 27th of May, 1881, he was united in marriage to Augusta Treichel and to them have been born five children: Paul F.; George and Walter, who are engaged in farming; Wilmer, who is a member of the United States Navy; and Fred, at home.

Paul F. Rosel, whose name introduces this record acquired a public school education in St. Ansgar and afterward attended the St. Ansgar Seminary, thus being well qualified by educational training for life's practical and responsible duties. He was early trained to the work of the farm and continued to engage in the cultivation of the fields until after he attained his majority, when, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he took up merchandising by becoming a clerk in a store in his native city. In 1905 he purchased an interest in the Sponheim dry goods and clothing store, forming the firm of Sponheim & Rosel. They are conducting a gratifying business, their trade steadily growing, and they are classed with the leading merchants of the city. Their stock is large and carefully selected and their business methods commend them to the support of the public.

On the 30th of June, 1909, Mr. Rosel was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Adrian, of Rock township, Mitchell county, and they have become the parents of two children: Paul, who was born April 15, 1914; and Ruth, born May 10, 1917.

Mr. Rosel is a charter member of the Commercial Club and cooperates in all of its projects for the upbuilding of the city, for the extension of its trade relations and for the upholding of its best interests. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the German Lutheran church. He belongs to the registration board and is a most loyal and progressive citizen who for many years has been prominent in all things for civic advancement. His worth is widely recognized and his labors have resulted beneficially for the community in many ways.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 299.