Joseph George Rosengarten (July 14, 1835 – January 14, 1921) was a Philadelphia
lawyer,
historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the st ...
, and
Civil War
A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country).
The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...
veteran
A veteran () is a person who has significant experience (and is usually adept and esteemed) and expertise in a particular occupation or field. A military veteran is a person who is no longer serving in a military.
A military veteran that h ...
. He served on the staff of General
John F. Reynolds.
Early life and education
Joseph George Rosengarten was born in
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...
, Pennsylvania, the child of German immigrants George D. and Elizabeth (Bennett) Rosengarten.
[Ancestry.com. ''1850 United States Federal Census atabase on-line'' Provo, UT, US: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. ''Spring Garden Ward 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_818; Page: 355B; Image: 151.''] His father, one of Philadelphia's wealthiest men by the 1890s,
was a chemist and manufacturer, who created a large chemical establishment and had an interest in numerous other profitable business ventures, including the
Pennsylvania Railroad.
[Jastrow, Morris Jr. ''Joseph George Rosengarten'', Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. 60, No. 4, 1921][Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ''1880 United States Federal Census atabase on-line'' Provo, UT, US: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. ''Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1171; Family History Film: 1255171; Page: 395C; Enumeration District: 143; Image: 0260.'']
Rosengarten received his early education in private schools in Philadelphia, and for a time came under the influence of a scholarly man in
York, Pennsylvania
York (Pennsylvania Dutch: ''Yarrick''), known as the White Rose City (after the symbol of the House of York), is the county seat of York County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the south-central region of the state. The populatio ...
, the Rev. Charles West Thomson, who aroused in him a liking for literature that became "an abiding habit."
He completed his secondary education at an academy then affiliated with the
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universitie ...
, studying under Dr. Samuel Crawford.
In 1849, at just fourteen years of age, Rosengarten was admitted to the
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universitie ...
, graduating three years later with the degree of
A.B.
Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four yea ...
in the Class of 1852.
In 1855, Rosengarten received the degree of
M.A.
A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Tho ...
from the same university.
After graduation he studied law in the offices of Henry M. Phillips, a prominent member of the
Philadelphia Bar, and in 1856, Rosengarten was admitted to practice.
Rosengarten's father then arranged for him to travel abroad to further his studies:
The elder Rosengarten, realizing the extraordinary value of foreign study and travel, sent four of his sons abroad to prepare themselves for their future careers. In pursuance of this plan Joseph Rosengarten went...to study history and Roman Law at the University of Heidelberg
}
Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, (german: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg; la, Universitas Ruperto Carola Heidelbergensis) is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, ...
and to engage in travel.
While abroad he was "thrown into contact with men of distinction," including
Ludwig Häusser and
:de:Adolph von Vangerow, who served respectively as professors of history and law at the University of Heidelberg. During this period, Rosengarten also met the eminent
British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies.
** Britishness, the British identity and common culture
* British English, ...
jurist James Fitzjames Stephen
Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, 1st Baronet, KCSI (3 March 1829 – 11 March 1894) was an English lawyer, judge, writer, and philosopher. One of the most famous critics of John Stuart Mill, Stephen achieved prominence as a philosopher, law ...
, and his brother, author and critic
Leslie Stephen
Sir Leslie Stephen (28 November 1832 – 22 February 1904) was an English author, critic, historian, biographer, and mountaineer, and the father of Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell.
Life
Sir Leslie Stephen came from a distinguished intellect ...
.
In 1857, Rosengarten returned to the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
and began practicing law in Philadelphia.
His law partners were
Henry Schell Hagert
Henry Schell Hagert ; (May 2, 1826 – December 18, 1885) was an American lawyer who served as district attorney of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for 12 years over four terms between 1856 and 1881.
Biography
Hagert was born on May 2, 1826, in Philad ...
and George Junkin.
Witnesses John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
In 1859, Rosengarten witnessed
abolitionist
Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the movement to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people.
The British ...
John Brown's famous
raid
Raid, RAID or Raids may refer to:
Attack
* Raid (military), a sudden attack behind the enemy's lines without the intention of holding ground
* Corporate raid, a type of hostile takeover in business
* Panty raid, a prankish raid by male college ...
on
Harpers Ferry, Virginia
Harpers Ferry is a historic town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, Jefferson County, West Virginia. It is located in the lower Shenandoah Valley. The population was 285 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Situated at the confluence o ...
.
Rosengarten had been traveling at the time as a guest with the Directors of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, his father being one of the directors.
His train stopped short of Harpers Ferry, he walked into town, and witnessed the attack made by Lee's men on
the engine house
The Severn Valley Railway is a heritage railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire, England. The heritage line runs along the Severn Valley from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route, and c ...
where John Brown had sought refuge.
He later saw John Brown lying wounded.
Rosengarten wrote a vivid account of what he had witnessed, that was published in the ''
Atlantic Monthly'' in 1865.
Civil war service
On September 2, 1862, a year after the outbreak of the Civil War, Rosengarten was commissioned a first lieutenant in Company D of the
121st Pennsylvania Infantry
The 121st Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was a regiment of the Union Army during the United States Civil War.
History
This regiment, chiefly recruited in the city of Philadelphia, and in the county of Venango, was organized at camp o ...
.
[Historical Data Systems, comp. ''U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, atabase on-line'' Provo, UT, US: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Original data: Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA] The regiment was soon ordered to Washington, D.C., and upon its arrival, went into camp at Arlington Heights.
Arms and equipments were not delivered until some weeks after its arrival, but drill and instruction were immediately commenced, and prosecuted with vigor, the regiment becoming noted for good discipline at the drills and reviews of General Casey's Provisional Brigade, to which it was then attached.
Rosengarten fought with distinction at the
Battle of Fredericksburg, "distinguishing himself for bravery, picking up the colors after four sergeants had been disabled and carrying them successfully through the engagement."
As a result, he gained the notice of Major General John F. Reynolds, and was offered the post of Ordnance Officer and a position on General Reynolds' staff.
Rosengarten remained on Reynolds' staff, fighting under him at
Chancellorsville and
Gettysburg, until Reynolds was killed in action during the latter battle.
(In one eyewitness's later account of Reynolds' death, Rosengarten is referred to as "Major ''Adolph'' Rosengarten.")
Rosengarten was assigned the honor of escorting Reynolds' body to his final resting place in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Due to his intimate association with Reynolds, Rosengarten was also chosen to deliver the address at the dedication of Reynolds' monument at
Gettysburg in 1889.
Later life
On September 6, 1863, Rosengarten received an honorable discharge from the military.
[Historical Data Systems, comp. ''U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles atabase on-line'' Provo, UT, US: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Original data: Data compiled by Historical Data Systems of Kingston, MA] In March 1865, he received the rank of Brevet Captain.
After receiving his discharge, Rosengarten returned to his law practice in Philadelphia. He was also employed as his father's business manager and legal representative, overseeing his father's numerous business ventures and investments.
Rosengarten maintained a lifelong interest in his
alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, serving as president of the alumni association, and as a member of the board of trustees.
He supported several other public institutions, among them the German Hospital, now
Lankenau Medical Centerl, and the House of Refuge, the first institution in Pennsylvania established to reform
juveniles charged with delinquency.
Rosengarten served on the Board of Managers (1878), and later as vice president (1893-1910), and finally, as president (1911-1914) of the House of Refuge.
At his urging, the institution was moved from Philadelphia to the outlying countryside, where, instead of being "treated as prisoners the boys and girls were placed in homes organized on the cottage system," provided with educational opportunities, plenty of fresh air, outdoor work and exercise.
Rosengarten served as a board member (1895-1911) and president (1899-1909) of the
Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia is the public library system that serves Philadelphia. It is the 13th-largest public library system in the United States. The Free Library of Philadelphia is a non-Mayoral agency of the City of Philadelphia gover ...
, and it was largely through his efforts that the library received a bequest of five hundred thousand dollars from
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie (, ; November 25, 1835August 11, 1919) was a Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist. Carnegie led the expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century and became one of the richest Americans i ...
.
Carnegie remembered the kindness once shown to him, years before, while he was employed as secretary to the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, by Rosengarten's father.
Rosengarten developed a close association with
Anthony J. Drexel and, as a result, served from its founding in 1892 until 1909 as a member of the board of the
Drexel Institute.
Rosengarten contributed frequently to newspapers and periodicals, including the ''
New York Tribune'', the Philadelphia ''Public Ledger'', the ''
North American Review
The ''North American Review'' (NAR) was the first literary magazine in the United States. It was founded in Boston in 1815 by journalist Nathan Hale and others. It was published continuously until 1940, after which it was inactive until revived at ...
'', the ''Atlantic Monthly'', the ''
Penn Monthly,'' and ''
The Nation
''The Nation'' is an American liberal biweekly magazine that covers political and cultural news, opinion, and analysis. It was founded on July 6, 1865, as a successor to William Lloyd Garrison's '' The Liberator'', an abolitionist newspaper t ...
''.
He also delivered numerous addresses before various literary and charitable associations, including one before the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is a long-established research facility, based in Philadelphia. It is a repository for millions of historic items ranging across rare books, scholarly monographs, family chronicles, maps, press reports and v ...
on the "''Life and Public Services of General John F. Reynolds''" (Philadelphia, 1880).
Rosengarten was an active member of the
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society (APS), founded in 1743 in Philadelphia, is a scholarly organization that promotes knowledge in the sciences and humanities through research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and communit ...
.
He contributed translations of Hessian soldier Stephan Popp's
Revolutionary War diary and Achenwall's Observations on North America to a paper, "''American History from German Archives''," published in the Society's ''Proceedings'' for 1900.
Through his association with
Henry C. Carey
Henry Charles Carey (December 15, 1793 – October 13, 1879) was the leading 19th-century economist of the American School (economics), American School, and chief economic adviser to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.
Carey is best known for the bo ...
, Rosengarten became interested in
social science
Social science is one of the branches of science, devoted to the study of societies and the relationships among individuals within those societies. The term was formerly used to refer to the field of sociology, the original "science of so ...
, and was active in the establishment of the
American Social Science Association, which later became the
American Academy of Political and Social Science.
An amateur historian, Rosengarten was particularly interested in the subject of French and German
immigration
Immigration is the international movement of people to a destination country of which they are not natives or where they do not possess citizenship in order to settle as permanent residents or naturalized citizens. Commuters, tourists, a ...
to the United States, and the role played by French and German immigrants in the foundation of the country.
He authored numerous articles on the subject and two books: ''The German Soldier in the Wars of the United States'' (Philadelphia, 188
and ''French Colonists and Exiles in the United States'' (Philadelphia, 190
Rosengarten was also remembered for his large circle of influential friends and acquaintances:
Few men had uch
Uch ( pa, ;
ur, ), frequently referred to as Uch Sharīf ( pa, ;
ur, ; ''"Noble Uch"''), is a historic city in the southern part of Pakistan's Punjab province. Uch may have been founded as Alexandria on the Indus, a town founded by Alexan ...
a large circle of acquaintance; and having a rare gift for friendship, he continued to maintain association with many of those with whom he was thrown into contact either in hiladelphiaor through his frequent trips abroad. He knew the Darwins, father and son
A son is a male offspring; a boy or a man in relation to his parents. The female counterpart is a daughter. From a biological perspective, a son constitutes a first degree relative.
Social issues
In pre-industrial societies and some current c ...
; he came into close touch with eminent writers and scholars like F. Max Müller, Thomas Hughes
Thomas Hughes (20 October 182222 March 1896) was an English lawyer, judge, politician and author. He is most famous for his novel ''Tom Brown's School Days'' (1857), a semi-autobiographical work set at Rugby School, which Hughes had attended. ...
, Goldwin Smith, Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer (27 April 1820 – 8 December 1903) was an English philosopher, psychologist, biologist, anthropologist, and sociologist famous for his hypothesis of social Darwinism. Spencer originated the expression " survival of the fi ...
and Lord Bryce
James Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce, (10 May 1838 – 22 January 1922), was a British academic, jurist, historian, and Liberal politician. According to Keoth Robbins, he was a widely-traveled authority on law, government, and history whose expe ...
; he formed a friendship extending over many years with the de Rochambeau family and secured the passage of an act of Congress
A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ...
for the purchase of the letters of Washington to he Comte deRochambeau. He knew the great trio of American literature, Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882) was an American poet and educator. His original works include "Paul Revere's Ride", ''The Song of Hiawatha'', and ''Evangeline''. He was the first American to completely transl ...
, Emerson and Lowell; he had met all the Presidents from Buchanan to Wilson, and knew practically all the generals in the Civil War.
Rosengarten never married, living first with his parents and unmarried siblings, and later, after the death of his parents, with his sister, Fanny Rosengarten.
He died in Philadelphia on January 14, 1921.
He is buried beside his sister Fanny at
Laurel Hill Cemetery
Laurel Hill Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Founded in 1836, it was the second major rural cemetery in the United States after Mount Auburn Cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts.
The cemetery is ...
in Philadelphia.
References
*
External links
*
*
* A pamphlet, at
Google Books
Google Books (previously known as Google Book Search, Google Print, and by its code-name Project Ocean) is a service from Google Inc. that searches the full text of books and magazines that Google has scanned, converted to text using optical ...
.
* Finding aid to th
Joseph George Rosengarten papersat th
University of Pennsylvania Libraries
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rosengarten, Joseph George
1835 births
1921 deaths
Pennsylvania lawyers
Lawyers from Philadelphia
University of Pennsylvania alumni
Union Army officers
American male writers
19th-century American lawyers