James P. Rosenberg is actively identified with public interests in Lincoln county, filling the position of deputy county assessor and that of city clerk of Kemmerer. He is also well known in business circles as a representative of insurance interests.
    He was born in Westchester, New York, January 17, 1859, and is a son of John and Eliza (Mattingly) Rosenberg, the former a native of Hamburg, Germany, while the latter was born in Windsor, England. They came to America as young people and settled in the state of New York, where the father engaged in educational work, conducting a boys' school at Westchester, New York, for some time. Later he removed to San Antonio, Texas, where he was in charge of St. Mary's College. He later became an Episcopalian minister and while acting as pastor of a church at Portland, Oregon, he was called to his final rest, his death occurring in 1889, when he was sixty-four years of age. He was a gentleman of liberal education and culture, with whom association meant expansion and elevation. During the period of the Civil war he had responded to the call of his adopted country for military aid and enlisted in a regiment of New York Volunteers, in which he was made assistant quartermaster, serving in that connection throughout the entire war. He long survived his wife, who passed away in the Empire state in 1865. In their family were four children: George, now living in Portland, Oregon; Ernest, who is located at Seattle, Washington; Fred, who died at Brenham, Texas; and James P., who was the second in order of birth.
    Reared in an atmosphere of culture and refinement, well descended and well bred, James P. Rosenberg has made for himself a creditable position in connection with those activities which have occupied his attention during the period of his manhood. As a boy he was a pupil in his father's school in New York at Westchester and also attended the grammar school and the military school at Portland, Oregon. He then took up the study of engineering but did not complete his course in that direction. He afterward went to eastern Oregon on account of his health and while there he was employed in various lines of engineering work and at mining. He likewise engaged in teaching school for a time and afterward removed to Wyoming, where he spent a number of years as a cowboy in the employ of prominent cattlemen of the state. While thus engaged he drove cattle across the states of Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming and many times over the plains where the city of Kemmerer now stands. He took up his abode in Kemmerer to assume charge of one of the large coal mines of the place as superintendent and at length resigned his position in that connection to assume the duties of editor of the Kemmerer Camera, a weekly paper, which had a wide circulation. He continued to edit this paper until it changed hands, spending three years in editorial work. He was then elected justice of the peace and in addition to performing the duties of that office he opened and conducted a real estate office, continuing successfully in that field for eighteen years. In 1915 he was appointed city clerk and in 1916 was elected to the office, which position he is now filling in connection with his duties along other lines. He is capable and resourceful and has proven his loyalty to the general welfare in several public offices. He served for the second term as deputy sheriff of Fremont county and has been deputy assessor of Lincoln county for one term. He was also water commissioner for a number of years and he has made a most excellent record by his marked fidelity to the general good. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day.
    On the 20^th of September, 1893, Mr. Rosenberg was united in marriage to Miss Annie E. Clifford, of Soda Springs, Idaho, who passed away in August, 1914. She was of English lineage, her parents having been born in England. By that marriage there were six children. Clifford, born in Soda Springs, Idaho, in 1894, attended the public schools of Kemmerer and is now working in that city. Bert, born in Soda Springs in 1895, is now with the United States Army as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Machine Gun Battalion, at Camp Mills. Jessie E., born at Soda Springs in 1897, attended high school and is now at home. LeRoy, born at Soda Springs, November 11, 1898, is also at Camp Mills as a member of Company A and is acting clerk to the major of his regiment. He was formerly deputy clerk of the court and assistant editor of the Kemmerer Camera. Ralph, born in 1903, is a sophomore in high school. William, born in 1908, is a pupil in the graded schools.
    Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg hold membership in the Episcopal church and socially are prominent in the community where they make their home. Mr. Rosenberg was formerly identified, with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he now has membership with the Woodmen of the World. He is a self-made man who has worked his way upward entirely on his own account. He drove cattle through the states of Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming in 1877 and 1878 and saw some very exciting times. He has lived to witness remarkable changes as the work of progress and civilization has been carried forward and he stands today with those who have been most active and helpful in bringing about the changes leading to modern day progress, improvement and prosperity.