CHARLES H. ROSENSTIEL, one of the most extensive land-owners of Stephenson County, has been identified with its business interests for over thirty years, and has been remarkably prosperous in his undertakings in life. He has been the representative of important interests, and in all the positions which he has occupied, has acquitted himself with credit and in such a manner as to secure the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Upon coming to this county he was first employed as an architect and builder, in which profession he had become more than ordinarily proficient in his native Kingdom of Saxony, where he spent his childhood and youth, and where his birth took place April 21, 1821.

The father of our subject, Jacob Rosenstiel, was also a native of Saxony, and of excellent ancestry, who were not far removed from the nobility. He occupied a Government position for a number of years, and retained his situation as Superintendent of a large estate for a long period and until deciding to emigrate to the United States. The mother of our subject was, in her girlhood Miss Dora Schietmeister, who also descended from excellent ancestry and, like her husband, had been finely educated in her native Saxony. They became the parents of five sons and one daughter, and after the birth of these, continued residents of Stephenson County the remainder of their lives.

The subject of this sketch, like his parents before him, received an excellent education, completing his studies in the High School, and afterward taking a thorough course in architecture. He became an expert in his chosen profession, and was released from military duty upon the condition that he would emigrate to the United States and secure not less than 1,000 specimens of its native minerals and animals and convey them back to Saxony. For each of these he was to receive $1. He executed his commission with satisfaction to all concerned, and sent his collections across the water.

Mr. Rosenstiel, upon landing in this country, was twenty-four years of age, and after completing the business we have spoken of, located in Pittsburgh, Pa. Thence he went to Wheeling, W. Va., where he was engaged considerably as a contractor, afterward removing to Sunfish, Ohio, where he was joined by his father and mother with the rest of their family. They all then came to Illinois, locating in Winslow Township, Stephenson County, by request of a friend who had preceded them to this locality. Not long afterward, however, they removed to Freeport, our subject finally purchasing 1,200 acres of land adjacent to the city limits of Lena, and afterward became the owner of 620 acres in Silver Creek Township, which he brought to a good state of cultivation. He made his home for a time in Freeport, and became quite extensively engaged as an architect, builder and contractor, being thus employed from 1845 to 1868. During that time he had superintended the erection of some of the best buildings in the city, which still remain, a monument to his genius and skill. For a time after the date last mentioned he resided on his farm in Silver Creek Township. He erected the first woolen-mills in the city of Freeport, and has been connected with the building of most of the mills established in this section. In 1859 he was elected Vice President of the State Board of Agriculture, with which he was connected nineteen years. He also served as President of the Stephenson County Agricultural Society for a period of six years. In 1872 he erected an immense sugar refinery, with a capacity of fifty tons per day, the largest factory in the West. In this enterprise were associated with him Jacob Bunn, of Springfield, and J. I. Case, of Racine, Wis. The agreement was that Mr. Bunn should draw up the contract, but unfortunately for the other partners, who held quarter shares, this important part of the business was neglected. Through mismanagement on the part of those to whom great responsibilities had been entrusted, failure followed, and five years later the works were abandoned. Mr. Rosenstiel then turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, in which he met with remarkable success, and was in time enabled to fully repair his losses.

The residence of Mr. Rosenstiel, built of stone, is one of the finest structures in Stephenson County, standing in the midst of natural and ornamental trees, and presenting to the eye of the passer-by a picture most pleasing to contemplate. The home is located on section 4, Silver Creek Township, and not far from the city limits of Freeport. The proprietor is popular among the people of that section, and exerts a considerable influence in local politics. He officiates as Elder and Trustee of the Presbyterian Church, of which his estimable wife is also a member in good standing. Mr. Rosenstiel uniformly votes with the Republican party.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated in this county Oct. 5, 1843, the maiden of his choice being Miss Annie C. Gillman, and the officiating minister, Rev. Schitz, of Freeport. Mrs. R. is a native of Union County, Pa., and was born Feb. 27, 1827. Her father, Daniel Gillman, was a farmer by occupation, and the family is of English and German ancestry, one of the first representatives in this country (her grandfather) being a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Daniel Gillman came to Illinois with his family in1841, and built up a good home in Lena Township, where he lived to the advanced age of eighty years. The mother, formerly Miss Katie Linn, preceded her husband to the silent land. Their children were carefully trained but received a limited education. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenstiel became the parents of five children: Matilda, the wife of Dr. H. P. Cary, with her husband, died in Beloit, Wis.; Oliver married Miss Grace Hewitt, and is farming in Florence Township; Louisa is the wife of H. Stephenson, and they are living near Jacksonville, Ill.; Jerome married Miss Julia Byers, daughter of Rev. Byers, and resides in Freeport; Howard remains on the home farm. Miss Grace Cary, a granddaughter, the child of Dr. and Mrs. Cary, before mentioned, makes her home with our subject. Mr. Rosenstiel was one of the first Supervisors of Silver Creek Township, and has filled various other offices.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888)