BIOGRAPHY: Wesley J. ROSE, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 23-4
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WESLEY J. ROSE, the well-known contractor and builder of Johnstown, is the son 
of Allen and Elizabeth (Freame) Rose.  He was born April 17, 1826, on a farm 
near Jenner X Roads, Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
     In 1828 his father moved to what is now the city of Johnstown (then called 
Conemaugh), and there our subject has made his home continuously to the present 
time.
     He was educated in the common schools of the town, and taught one term in 
Somerset county in the winter of 1848.  He learned the trade of carpentry with 
his father.
     In 1854, he went into a partnership under the firm name of Pringle, Rose 
& Edson.  The firm purchased the foundry and machine shops of S. H. Smith, 
on the site of the present Gautier mills.  These they operated until 1864, when 
a corporation, known as the Johnstown Mechanical Works, was formed to operate 
the works.  Mr. Rose became manager for the company, and continued in that 
position until 1869, when he resigned his position, and went to California, 
where he remained several months sight-seeing and visiting friends.
     He came back to Johnstown, and went into business as a contractor and 
builder; and from that time to the present, has been a leading contractor in his 
line of business, which includes all kinds of manufactured lumber and builders' 
supplies.
     In 1884, his son, Walter E., was taken into partnership under the firm name 
of W. J. Rose & Son.  The "Great Flood" washed their planing mill away and 
destroyed their entire plant; but as soon as possible after that great disaster, 
they, with characteristic energy and pluck, began to rebuild on a larger scale 
than before.  Another son, Mr. R. G. Rose, was taken into the firm, and W. J. 
Rose & Sons were soon doing a larger business than ever before.
     Mr. Rose was united in marriage to Martha Given, March 14, 1850, at New 
Florence, by Rev. J. J. Covert.  Mrs. Rose was born September 16, 1825; and 
died, January 28, 1886.
     The following children were born to this couple: Elizabeth F., born May 18, 
1851, now the wife of Sam. E. Young, of Johnstown; Emma J., born August 20, 
1852, now the wife of James S. Gallagher; Maggie T., born March 21, 1854, now 
the wife of A. P. Ellis; Hon. John M., whose sketch appears in another place; 
Walter Edson, born March 19, 1858, now a member of firm of W. J. Rose & Sons; 
Harry G. (deceased), whose sketch appears elsewhere; Howard J., born June 17, 
1862, died February 22, 1863; Annie M., born November 21, 1863, now the wife of 
R. L. Taney; Robert G., born May 25, 1865, member of W. J. Rose & Sons; and 
Frank Z., born September 20, 1867.
     Personally Mr. Rose is one of the most genial and companionable of men, and 
all his acquaintances (and this includes all old citizens of the town) esteem 
him very highly. He takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the early 
history of the town, and has quite a collection of interesting relics connected 
with local history, and his gallery of over six hundred photographs of prominent 
citizens of the town, past and present, is of great interest. Mr. Rose takes 
pleasure in showing his gallery to all who know anything of the Johnstown of 
ante bellum days.