HENRY ROSENSTIEL is a successful farmer living on section 12, in Erin Township. His parents were Jacob and Dorothy Rosenstiel, who were born in Germany. In 1842 they emigrated to America with their family and settled in Stephenson County, where they died. They had six children: John, Mary, Charles H., Chris, Henry and Frederick. These are all living except Frederick and Mary, Frederick dying in Erin Township, July 22, 1887, and Mary, who was the first wife of Frederick Gossman, dying in Erin Township.

Our subject was born in Saxony, Germany, Aug. 22, 1827, and was fifteen years old when he came with his parents to America. He was reared on a farm, and his education was obtained in the schools of the old country. Mr. Rosenstiel is a self-made man. By means of his own perseverance, energy and frugality, he takes rank with the first men of Stephenson County. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has been a continuous resident of Erin Township with the exception of one year, when he lived in Waddams Township. He owns 160 acres of valuable land, on which he has made many improvements, diligently tilling it and bringing it to a high state of cultivation. The Rosenstiel family are widely and favorably known throughout Stephenson County.

Henry Rosenstiel was married in 1848, in Erin Township, to Miss Jane Pickard, daughter of S. W. and Effie (Skiel) Pickard, the latter of whom was born in New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenstiel are the parents of seven children, who are: Lorenzo, Lorna, Lewis, Harlow, Herman, Josephine and Charles. Loran died when a young man; Lewis is in Kansas; Harlow resides in Harlem Township; Herman is in Iowa; Josephine resides at home, as also does Charles. Mr. Rosenstiel has been a School Director of the township. He is a man who has attended strictly to his own business, and has not sought office.

Mr. and Mrs. Rosenstiel are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have been so for a great number of years. Mr. R. is a strong temperance man, and an earnest advocate of the Prohibition cause. Charles H. Rosenstiel, of Silver Creek Township, and John Rosenstiel, of Ridott, are his brothers.

Cotnributed by Carol Parrish Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 544.