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CAPTAIN BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ROSE.

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN F. ROSE.

B.F. Rose, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born on the town site of the present city of Dayton in 1841. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (Irwin) Rose. His father was a native of Kentucky and his mother of Maryland. His paternal grandfather was an Englishman and emigrated to America when eighteen years of age. His paternal grandmother was of Irish birth. His maternal grandfather was of Scotch origin and his maternal grandmother a German woman. Mr. Rose is one of seven children, three of whom are living, two sisters, one a resident of Illinois and the other of Iowa.

Mr. Rose received a meager education in the common schools of Ohio and when sixteen years of age removed with his parents to La Grand, Marshall county, Iowa. On the 17th day of September, 1861, he was mustered into the United States service at Davenport, Iowa. He enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Iowa Regiment, under Captain Charles Foster and Colonel Abram Hare. Captain Rose was a valiant and courageous soldier, as his successive promotions demonstrate. From a private he became a corporal, from a corporal to orderly sergeant and later was commissioned captain over two lieutenants. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, first and second battles of Corinth, Iuka, siege of Vicksburg, Resaca, Nickerjack Creek and Atlanta on July 22, 1864, where he was taken prisoner and detained two months and seven days. During this time he was so well fed that his weight decreased from two hundred and forty-six to one hundred and fifty-one pounds.

He was released under a special exchange arranged for by General Sherman, and rejoined his company; as he walked through their camp grounds there was not a man in the company who recognized him. He was afterward acting major and on the march to the sea was in command of the regiment at different times. Was in command from Atlanta to Savannah, where he embarked on board a vessel, and going to Newport, South Carolina, he took up a march against the rebel fortifications at Pocotaligo, South Carolina, and while there was given leave of absence on account of illness and returned to his home. When resuming his place in the army he journeyed by way of New York and Newbern, North Carolina, arriving at his command, which was stationed at Goldsboro, North Carolina, on March 27, 1865, from which place he was mustered out of the service, under general order from the war department. From there he visited Washington, District Columbia, and was in that city when President Lincoln was assassinated.

Returning subsequently to his home in Iowa, he was married August 17, 1865, to Esther Coate, a daughter of Samuel T. and Harriet (Anthony) Coate, both natives of Ohio, and both ministers of the Christian church. Mrs. Rose is a sister of Elwood Coate, county treasurer of Cloud county. She is an amiable woman and president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Concordia. To Mr. and Mrs. Rose three children have been born, but one of whom is living. Their first born, Clarence Elwood, was deceased at the age of eighteen months. Estella, a young woman of much promise, was deceased at the age of twenty years. The youngest son, Clinton Emmett, is one of the prominent educators in this part of the state. Although he is a young man but twenty-seven years of age, he has for four years occupied important positions in the Beloit high school. After having been employed as assistant principal two years he was deservedly promoted to the principalship, where he still continues and is recognized as an instructor of superior ability. He received the foundation of his education in Concordia. After graduating from the high school he entered the State University of Kansas and finished a course in that institution. He is acknowledged one of the best and most thorough mathematicians in the state. C.E. Rose was married to Minnie Agnetta Lawrence, who was a teacher in the Concordia city schools two years. She is a native of Pennsylvania. Maud Rader, a granddaughter of John and Jemima Wilkins, old settlers of Oakland township, found a home with Mr. and Mrs. Rose when eleven years of age, remaining with them until her marriage to J.W. Scott. They are now residents of Blue Hill, Nebraska, where Mr. Scott secured a clerkship.

While in Iowa Mr. Rose engaged in various pursuits; was in the mercantile business at Quarry, Marshall county, Iowa, served as postmaster in the same town and also as justice of the peace, township clerk, express agent, and bought grain. After selling out his business interests in Iowa Mr. Rose emigrated to Kansas in 1882 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Meredith township, Cloud county, where he resided several years, and later sold and purchased a quarter section adjoining, which he still owns.

In 1890 he was elected to the office of clerk of the court of Cloud county, removed to Concordia and held that office with satisfaction to the public four years. Since that time he has been successfully engaged in marble and granite works. In politics Mr. Rose is a Populist. Fraternally he has been a Mason since 1865; he has received the degree of Master Mason, Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar. He is a member of the Order of Woodmen and the Grand Army of the Republic and has held the office of post commander. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are estimable people and among Concordia's most esteemed citizens. They own a comfortable and pleasant cottage, located on East Seventh street, where they expect to enjoy life the remainder of their days.