Ramsey County History – Spring 2007: “Lost Son: The Forgotten Fate of Roseville’s First Child, Benjamin Rose”

Lost Son: The Forgotten Fate of Roseville’s First Child, Benjamin Rose
Authors: Patrick Hill and Cindy Rose Torfin

This article is a portrait of Isaac Rose for whom Roseville, Minnesota, is named. He was born in New Jersey, journeyed west, married, and joined the army. He would later farm in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He and his family arrived in Minnesota in 1843 and first settled on the banks of the Mississippi River. The area eventually became part of Rose Township. Isaac’s sons, Benjamin and Gideon, followed the family military tradition and both enlisted in a Civil War regiment and were part of the Army of the Cumberland. In one battle, Benjamin helped a wounded Gideon off the field. Unfortunately, Benjamin Rose would soon die of typhoid fever. Gideon recovered and fought in many other battles and was with Sherman in the taking of Atlanta and the famous march to the sea. He lived the rest of his life in St. Paul and, along with another brother, Henry, is buried in the Soldier’s Rest in Oakland Cemetery.
PDF of Hill & Torfin article