Francis P. (Frank) Rosier

Son of Lawrence and Esther (Kayser) Rosier

Frank Rosier was born 23 January 1829 in Ohio, probably Logan County. He died 19 June 1889 near Maynard, Fayette County, Iowa, as the result of a gun wound inflicted by his wife at the time, Barbara Scott. He married 1st) Julia A. Joseph, born about 1829, and died 15 April 1873 in Fayette County, Iowa, and is buried at West Union Cemetery, West Union, Iowa. As far as we know, Julia was the mother of all children of Frank Rosier. Information presumably taken from the tombstone of Julia Joseph Rosier indicates that she died at age 43 years, 10 months, and 4 days.

West Union Gazette, Friday April 18, 1873:
"The announcement of the death of Mrs. Frank Rosier, Tuesday morning, was a surprise to many who had not heard of her illness, the nature of which we have not learned. She was a good woman who had much tribulation, but hwo is now where the weary can rest, with none to molest or make afraid. Her children will sadly miss the care and sympathy of so kind a mother."

Death notice published in West Union Gazette on Friday, 25 Apr 1873, "Died in West Union Township, Fayette Co, Iowa, April 15, 1873, Mrs. F. P. (Frank) Rosier, aged 41 years."

The WPA listing of Fayette County graves lists Frank Rosier as buried in Lot 5, West Union Cemetery, and shows the dates as 1829 to 6-19-1889.

Several news stories about Frank Rosier were published in the West Union Gazette, none were complimentary. (See below.)

Children of Francis P. and Julia Ann (Joseph) Rosier

Census Records of Frank P. Rosier

West Union Gazette: pg 4; 16 June 1876: District Court
"Mary Rosier vs. F. P. Rosier. Decree of divorce granted; deft. to pay alimony and atty fees to the amount of $400.

We have a photocopy of a document identified as "Iowa State Board of Health, Return Of A Marriage To County Clerk." It bears the information that Frank P. Rosier, age 45 years and color white; of Maynard, Fayette Co. Iowa, occupation farmer, born Ohio, son of Laurence Rosier and Ester Kiser, married as his third wife, Barbry Scott, formerly Barbry Lockwood, of Wadena, Fayette County, Iowa. Her age at next birthday is shown as 48 years; she was white and born in Ohion. Her father's name is shown as Hugh Lockwood and mother as Eliyice Hughes (?). It was her second marriage. They were married at Wadena on 22 October 1888. Witness was C. Herriman or Harrison.

This document was provided by the Fayette County Historical and Genealogy Society. Interestingly, another photocopied document, a news story, was included. "Frank Rosier, of Maynard, was arrested Saturday for beating his wife. He gave bond in the sum of $500 for appearance at court." (no date available)

West Union Gazette
June 21, 1889

"Frank Rosier has long been a noted character in this county, at one time owning one of the best farms north of West Union, the place now belonging to Wm. Alcorn. Whiskey was directly the cause of his notoriety, his downfall and his death. For several years past he has lived on a farm about three miles northeast of Maynard, and only at times, when he would overflow with strong drink, or take to himself a new wife, would he be heard of this far from home. Last November he met the widow Scott, of Wadena, and within a week they were married. Last Wednesday morning she killed him with a revolver. Two lads gathering cream called at the house. The can not being in its accustomed place, one of the boys entered the house. Finding no one but Rosier there, and he lying on the floor, the boy returned to the wagon with the remark that they would get no cream there, as Frank was dead drunk. The other boy went in and soon satisfied himself that the man was dead. They hastened to Maynard and told their story. Several citizens went out, and the coroner, Dr. McLean, was summoned from Fayette, and D. W. Clements, county attorney, with Sheriff O'Neal, went down from here. They found Mr. Rosier dead from a pistol wound in the back of his head. For a week or more the neighbors had been aware of an almost continual row in the family and none were particularly surprised at this termination of it. Mrs. Rosier called up their nearest, Milo Dewey, about 4 o'clock in the morning, in an excited half crazy condition, and remained there till arrested. When confronted with the evidence gathered by Mr. Clements in conversation with her and others, she weakened, and finally admitted that they had a quarrel and she shot him. She voluntarily accompanied the sheriff to jail, and now awaits the action of the grand jury.
The temptation is strong to comment, but the man is dead, and we know of none who mourn, or who would care to call him back. He lived a turbulent life and his death by violence surprises none who knew him. Further words are unnecessary."

28 June 1889

"On Friday last the body of Frank Rosier was brought here for interment. As soon as they were informed of the death of their father, his two daughters, living in this county, took charge of the remains and arranged for a respectful funeral. The body was embalmed to preserve it for the arrival of another daughter from a distance, and all was done that could be done by the most loving hands. The funeral was held at the residence of the deceased in Harlan, Rev. Mr. Taylor officiating. The daughters of Frank Rosier, children of his first wife and the days of prosperity and respectability, are noble specimens of eomanhood, creditable to the influence of a good mother. One is the wife of C. F. Rush, of Dubuque, and two are in the ranks of teachers of the county, capable, faithful ambitious young women, who have built for themselves a good name above the pollution of one who should have been a help rather than a hindrance to them."

*West Union Gazette; Jan 14, 1887:
"Fayette Letter: Wednesday evening, January 5th, a quiet wedding took place at the hospitable house of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Strong, where Rev. McCormack united in marriage Miss Ida Rosier and Mr. C. W. Douglass, a young druggist of Greely. Four or five years ago both the bride and groom were students in Fayette, Mr. Douglass in the Commerical Department and Miss Rosier in the regular course. The attachment was formed then and has been regarded with constancy ever since. After leaving school Mr. Douglass entered a drug store at Calmar where he remained some time, afterward settling at Greely. Ida passed some time teaching in Illinois and made a good record in Iowa in her profession. She has two sisters attending school here, having rooms at the house of Mrs. Strong, who invited them to come there for the celebration of the ceremony. They left directly for a short wedding tour when they will return to Greely for permanent settlement. Miss Rosier was a young lady of excellent qualities and, united to the man of her choice whom she kept without a rival in her heart so long will not fail in any respect in the higher responsibility as a wife. We have heard Mr. Douglass spoken of by business men as a man of integrity and fixed character, and unite our congratulations with friends of both parties on this happy consumation of the greatest event in the lives of the young."

1939 Newspaper:
"C. W. Douglas Dies in Pueblo: Burial Here:
Clarence W. Douglass, 77, died May 20 in a hospital at Pueblo, Colo. The remains were brought to West Union, and services were conducted by a minister from Waterloo Thursday morning at the Burnham funeral home. Burial was on the Rosier family lot.
Mr. Douglas was a druggist in West Union for several years about thirty-five years ago or more, the firm of Stiles & Douglas being succeeded by C. J. McLaughlin. He went from here to Omaha, then to Colorado, where he was a farmer. Mrs. Douglas, a member of the pioneer Rosier family, survives him, residing in Waterloo. His son Art is in Minneapolis."