"Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon, containing original
sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present."  Chicago: Chapman
Pub. Co., 1909. p. 969.
 
AARON ROSE

     The beautiful city of Roseburg, Douglas county, stands as a living monument
to the name of Rose, that of the man who was the first settler of this locality,
and as such endured the hardships and dangers of his pioneer life. The name of
Aaron Rose has been long known throughout this county and not alone that he was
the founder of one of Oregon's most beautiful cities, but rather for the high
moral principle, the earnest integrity, that distinguished the character of one
of her early citizens. He lived to see the wilderness blossom with the seeds of
civilization, cities and towns spring up in the midst of valley and forest, the
fields responding to the touch of energy and ambition; he lived to win the
regard of all who came to know him well, the highest tribute that can be paid to
man. Dying, he left but the memory of one of the early pioneers, whose deeds are
a part of the history of the state.
     Aaron Rose was born in Ulster county, N. Y., June 20, 1813, and with his
parents emigrated at the age of twenty-four years to the state of Michigan,
where he farmed until 1850. With his family he crossed the plains from
Coldwater, Mich., to Oregon, in 1851. the journey occupying about six months.
Upon his arrival in the northwest he took up a donation claim of six-hundred and
forty acres, September 23, 1851, upon the present site of Roseburg, his home
continuing in this vicinity throughout the remainder of his life. To accommodate
the guests who visited this part of the country Mr. Rose opened a hotel, which
was the first in the place. Later he conducted a butcher shop, bought and sold
horses and also conducted a store, at the same time carrying en farming
operations.
     In 1854 the county seat of Douglas county was removed, by a vote of the
people, from Winchester to Mr. Rose's farm, where a town was surveyed, which was
named Roseburg by its settlers. The growth of Roseburg was in no small measure
due to the business enterprise and spirit of progression which animated Mr.
Rose, for he allowed no obstacles to deter him in his efforts to advance the
interests of the city which he had founded, through discouragements and trials
pressing his way steadily toward a successful completion of his work. That he
attained his object is evident to all in the light of results.
     In 1855-56 Mr. Rose was a member of the territorial legislature where he
gave efficient service, and he also ably assisted in the building of the wagon
road from Roseburg to Coos bay.  It is truthfully said of Mr. Rose that no
movement which had for its end the promotion of the interests of the community
ever lacked his most earnest and hearty support, being most liberal in the
donation of lands or money toward the fulfillment of any worthy project.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2009 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.