My Genealogy Hound

HENRY C. ROSE. Throughout this portion of Missouri few of the residents are better known than Mr. Rose, whose fine estate of two hundred and sixty-two acres is pleasantly located on section 14, township 46, range 28. He has been a resident here for twenty-three years, and has therefore been an eye-witness of the wonderful transformation which has taken place in the county and state, and has not been an idle factor in their development.

Sanford H. Rose, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, but left that state when five years of age and accompanied his parents on their overland journey to this state. Here he made his home for forty-eight years, when he was called hence. The family first located on land which is now the site of Boonville, in Cooper County, and after a residence there of two years changed their abode to Henry County. Four years later, however, we find them living in what is now Jackson Township, Johnson County. Sanford Rose was a man of enterprise, and attained a good standing among the agriculturists of his community solely through his own unaided efforts.

The father of our subject was united in marriage to Mrs. Susan Peak, nee Crow. By her first union she became the mother of the following children: Joseph, deceased; James, a resident of Lexington, this state; Jurdon and Charlotte, deceased; and William J., who makes his home in Nebraska. To Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Rose there was granted a family of five children, of whom Henry C. was the youngest but one. The eldest son, Wallace, is living in Henry County, this state; Charnel J. is deceased; Richard is engaged in business in Sacramento, Cal.; and Riley M. makes his home in Johnson County, this state.

Our subject was born in Gallatin County, Ky., May 17, 1844, and there attended the subscription schools held in a log building, with clap-board roof and doors, the seating capacity of the room being ample for a dozen pupils. Meager, indeed, were the advantages offered the youth of that day, and those who attained fame did so through their own indomitable will, unaided by fortune.

Young Henry worked on the farm and lived with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he started out to battle with life on his own responsibility. He was a strong and enthusiastic Union man, and in 1862 enlisted in Captain Duncan’s company of the Forty-fifth Missouri Enrolled Militia. They were called upon to guard the property and homes of the people from depredations by the bands of guerrillas who were engaged in the most hazardous kinds of warfare. These brave men were called upon to pass through dangers even worse than a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy, for they were liable to be shot down from ambush when unable to protect themselves. In the discharge of his duties in this company, he was shot through the lung, and for three weeks was confined to his bed, and even now he is troubled at times from the effects of this injury. On the establishment of peace, Mr. Rose returned to the home farm, and after reaping one crop rented land, which he operated for the following six years. He was then enabled to purchase a tract, buying the eighty acres comprised in his present homestead.

Mr. Rose was married, in September, 1866, to Sarah Brown, a native of this state. After a happy wedded life of only eleven months, his wife was taken away. He afterwards married Mary Jones, a native of North Carolina, and to them were born five children, namely: William G., Martha Susan, Mary E., and two who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Rose is a true-blue Republican, and can give good reasons for the faith that is in him. He worships with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, while his good wife is a member of the Baptist Church. He is a gentleman genial and cordial with all and popular among the residents of his township.