Uriah Milton Rose (1834 - 1913)

Born 5 Mar 1834 in Marion, Kentucky, United States

Husband of Margaret Thomas (Gibbs) Rose — married about 25 Oct 1853 in Kentucky, United States

Descendants

Died 12 Aug 1913 at age 79 in Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas, United States

Biography

Uriah Rose is Notable.

Uriah Milton Rose is a notable figure due to his multifaceted impact on American society. As a pioneering lawyer and legal scholar, he left an enduring mark on the legal profession, earning acclaim for his exceptional advocacy skills and his role in founding the American Bar Association. Beyond his legal career, Rose's dedication to promoting peace and diplomacy on the international stage as a United States ambassador to the Second Hague Peace Conference underscores his commitment to the betterment of humanity. His influential work in compiling "Rose's Digest of Arkansas Reports" and his distinction as one of the nation's preeminent lawyers solidify his status as a prominent legal luminary. Moreover, his dedication to education, his voracious appetite for knowledge, and his extensive library, donated to the public, reflect his broader contributions to intellectual and cultural enrichment. Uriah M. Rose's legacy as a lawyer, scholar, and statesman continues to inspire and leave an indelible imprint on the realms of law, diplomacy, and intellectual pursuits.^[1][2]

Uriah Milton Rose, known as "U. M.," was born on March 5, 1834, in Bradfordsville, Marion County, Kentucky, to parents Joseph Rose and Nancy (Simpson) Rose. He was the third son of his father and had two half-siblings from Joseph's previous marriage to a Miss Armstrong from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Rose family owned land between two rivers and founded a town called Bradfordsville, which, while never significant, had around 300 to 400 inhabitants.^[3]

Joseph Rose believed in early education, and Uriah learned to read at a very young age, even studying Latin by the age of five. His father hired a private tutor, James Martin, from Ireland, to provide him with a classical education. Uriah's father, a devout member of the Christian Church (Campbellite), gave him the name Uriah, but he preferred to be known as "U. M."^[3]

He grew up on a 300 to 400-acre farm with a large orchard, in a two-story brick house situated on a hill overlooking a river. His parents were known for their hospitality. However, tragedy struck in 1848 when his mother passed away, followed by his father's death the following April, leaving young Uriah orphaned and without an inheritance at just fourteen years old.^[3]

Uriah initially worked in a village store where he also slept. Later, he worked as a field hand on a farm in exchange for board and $5 per month. However, his determination to study law led him to the office of R. H. Roundtree, a prominent lawyer in Lebanon, Kentucky. Subsequently, he attended Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, graduating in 1853 and obtaining a license to practice law.^[3]

In 1853, Uriah married Margaret T. Gibbs and, seeking a warmer climate, moved to Batesville, Arkansas, with his brother-in-law, William T. Gibbs. Their journey, mostly by river steamer, took fifteen days. Uriah bought a house and rented an office, but did not start practicing law regularly for about two years, focusing instead on studying Arkansas laws and decisions.^[3][4][5]

During the Civil War, Rose's poor health prevented him from serving in the military. Instead, he served as a Confederate state historian, compiling a roster of all Arkansas Confederate soldiers and obtaining the rank of major. Unfortunately, the warehouse where he stored his records was burned during the war.^[6]

After the war, Uriah Rose relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1865, and formed a successful partnership with ex-Chief Justice George C. Watkins, becoming the state's leading lawyers. In 1870, he continued practicing law in Little Rock. His law firm eventually became the oldest law firm in Little Rock, Arkansas, "Rose Law Firm," which still bears his name from 2023.^[3][4][7][8]

Uriah's reputation as an outstanding lawyer extended beyond Arkansas. He appeared before the United States Supreme Court and was considered one of the most accomplished practitioners. He played a pivotal role in founding the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1878, representing Arkansas as one of its first members. He served as the ABA's president from 1901 to 1902.^[3][4][9]

President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Rose, one of three United States ambassadors to the Second Hague Peace Conference in 1907, due to his national legal stature and reputation. Rose continued his active involvement in the legal community throughout his life.^{[1][4][10][11]}

Uriah Milton Rose passed away on August 12, 1913, in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas.^[11] His extensive library, consisting of over eight thousand volumes, was donated to the Little Rock public library.^[12] He was buried at Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock, next to his wife.^[13]

In recognition of his contributions, a marble statue of Uriah M. Rose was placed in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. In 2019, the Arkansas legislature decided to replace his statue with Daisy Bates and Johnny Cash to represent the state. Uriah Milton Rose left a lasting legacy as a distinguished lawyer, scholar, and statesman.^[1][14]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Bird II, Allen W., Little Rock, Arkansas, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last updated on 28 Jul 2023. "Uriah Milton Rose (1834–1913)." Accessed 27 Sep 2023.
2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "U. M. Rose," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=U._M._Rose&oldid=1172571104 (accessed September 27, 2023).
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6} Rose, Uriah Milton., Rose, George B.. Addresses of U.M. Rose: With a Brief Memoir. United States: G.I. Jones, 1914. "Addresses of U.M. Rose, with a Brief Memoir." Accessed 27 Sep 2023.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Arkansas Biography: A Collection of Notable Lives. United States: University of Arkansas Press, 2000. "Arkansas Biography - A Collection of Notable Lives." Accessed 27 Sep 2023.
5. ↑ 1860 United States Federal Census: The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Batesville, Independence, Arkansas; Roll: M653_43; Page: 12; Family History Library Film: 803043 Ancestry Record 7667 #13116015
6. ↑ Reynolds, Daniel Harris. Worthy of the Cause for Which They Fight: The Civil War Diary of Brigadier General Harris Reynolds, 1861-1865. United States: University of Arkansas Press, 2011. "Worthy of the Cause for Which They Fight, The Civil War Diary of Brigadier General Harris Reynolds, 1861-1865." Accessed 27 Sep 2023.
7. ↑ 1870 United States Federal Census: Year: 1870; Census Place: Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas; Roll: M593_62; Page: 333B Ancestry Record 7163 #12271242
8. ↑ 1880 United States Federal Census: Year: 1880; Census Place: Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas; Roll: 54; Page: 349C; Enumeration District: 145 Ancestry Record 6742 #39717675
9. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Little Rock Ward 6, Pulaski, Arkansas; Roll: 74; Page: 3; Enumeration District: 0086 Ancestry Record 7602 #53421831
10. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Little Rock Ward 6, Pulaski, Arkansas; Roll: T624_62; Page: 10b; Enumeration District: 0127; FHL microfilm: 1374075 Ancestry Record 7884 #745012
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Newspaper Clipping, Boston Evening Transcript, Boston, Massachusetts, 12 Aug 1913, Tue. - Page 3. "Judge Uriah M. Rose of Little Rock, Ark., Was Ambassador to Second Hague Peace Confernce in 1907." Accessed 27 Sep 2023.
12. ↑ Wilson, Woodrow., Link, Arthur Stanley. The Papers of Woodrow Wilson. United States: Princeton University Press, 1966. "The Papers of Woodrow Wilson." Accessed 27 Sep 2023.
13. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20851/uriah-milton-rose: accessed 27 September 2023), memorial page for Uriah Milton Rose (5 Mar 1834–12 Aug 1913), Find A Grave: Memorial #20851, citing Oakland and Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Arkieologist (contributor 47246586).
14. ↑ Architect of the Capitol, National Staturary Hall, 1917. "Uriah Milton Rose Statue." Acessed 27 Sep 2023.

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q7900552, en:Wikipedia