William Rosenstein
William Rosenstein (April 10, 1846 - March 10, 1916) was a merchant and store-owner in Brunswick, Missouri.
Early & Personal Life
William Rosenstein was born on April 10, 1846 in Baltimore, Maryland to a family of German-Jewish immigrants. He grew up in the western portion of Maryland, working in his uncle's dry goods store in Cumberland, Maryland for much of his early life.
He left Maryland during the Civil War, initially settling in Louisiana, Missouri in 1864. In Louisiana, he worked as a store clerk until the war ended in 1865, after which he settled in Brunswick. While traveling for goods, Rosenstein met his wife Tille Cole, a native of St. Louis, and the two married in 1874. They had one daughter together, Carita "Carrie" Rosenstein (later Warner).
Rosenstein was an active in Brunswick's social scene. He was a member and leader in the local Masonic lodge, eventually reaching the rank of Royal Arch Captain. The Rosensteins were also active members in St. Louis's Temple Israel congregation, despite living almost 200 miles away.
Rosenstein & Co.
Upon arriving in Brunswick, Rosenstein bought a stake in a store, rechristening it Rosenstein & Arnold before buying out his partner in 1867. He remained in the existing storefront for a short time before purchasing land for a permanent store at the corner of Broadway and Jackson Streets. Rosenstein's store remained at this location for more than 50 years.
Sale, Departure, & Death
Rosenstein's remained in business until 1913, when Tille Rosenstein died of influenza (listed as "attack of the grip" at the time). Rabbi Leon Harrison, of Temple Israel in St. Louis, presided over Tille's funeral, and she was interred at the temple's cemetery.
William took the death hard and decided it an apt time to sell the family business. Shortly thereafter, Rosenstein moved in with his daughter and son-in-law in nearby Salisbury, Missouri, where he spent the rest of his life. William Rosenstein died of a stroke (listed as apoplexy at the time) three years later at the home of his daughter in Salisbury. A local Methodist minister, and fellow Masonic lodge member, Ward M. Baker presided over Rosenstein's funeral in Salisbury, which included Jewish and Masonic rites. Rosenstein's body is interred with Tille's at the Temple Israel Cemetery in St. Louis.