Rose Bros. store was erected in 1903 and destroyed by fire, Dec. 25, 1906
Source: Manistique Pioneer Tribune, October 9, 1903, p1.
SUCCESSFUL OPENING
Rose Bros. big store was formally thrown open to the public yesterday morning and the mammoth building was inspected by more than 1200 ladies and gentlemen who heartily expressed their admiration for the store and the stock it contained.
Every visitor was presented with souvenirs. The ladies received pin trays and the gentlemen match safes. The local orchestra furnished music during the evening hours. The opening sale is continued today and, as yesterday, the store is thronged.
Mr. Rose was born in Europe, thirty-eight years ago [1868]. His brothers Leo and Jacob preceded him to America and their glowing letters concerning this country and the opportunities it afforded fired his youthful heart, and as a result he joined his brothers at Marquette in 1884. He resided there for eight years having been in the employ of his brother Jacob and Kassel Oshinsky. He quickly learned the intricacies of the English language, his previous education being in the classical school of his native land being of material assistance to him.
In 1892, he and his brother Leo came to Manistique and opened clothing and gents furnishings stock in the Coon building. Their business increased rapidly so that their quarters became too limited and they then erected the brick building now occupied by Payne and Bork and Robert Rubin. At that time this was the largest store room in the city. Again increasing business caused them to enlarge, and they purchased the property at the corner of Cedar and Oak streets and erected a large building thereon, which at the time was considered one of the very best store rooms north of Milwaukee.
This building with its entire contents was destroyed by fire last January and although Mr. Rose, who in the meantime had purchased his brother’s interest, received a terrible blow by losing at least $16,000 or the savings of a lifetime, yet the ruins had not ceased smoldering before he was engaged in making plans for the new building, which is handsomer than its predecessor and which was opened under such auspicious circumstances yesterday. The building and goods represent an outlay of $65,000.
Any man who can, in the short space of twenty-three years master a language foreign to that of the land of his nativity, and from a clerk’s position become the possessor of the magnificent block and stock that Mr. Rose owns today certainly deserves more than a passing mention.
Manistique has reason to feel proud of Mr. Rose, or any other citizen who proves his faith in Manistique by erecting handsome brick business blocks, thus enhancing the value and beauty of the city.
Mr. Rose was married in 1894 to Miss Kate Simon of Middletown, Ohio and is the father of two bright handsome boys.