George David Rosengarten (1801-1890)

He was described as a highly educated member of a family once wealthy but financially ruined by the Napoleonic Wars. On emigrating to Philadelphia from Kessel in Hesse, Germany, Rosengarten became an accountant. In 1822, two Swiss chemists (Zeitler and Seitler) who spoke no English established a chemical manufacturing business at Philadelphia. However, they fell into dispute with one another and Rosengarten (who spoke several languages) was called in to mediate between them. He settled the dispute and the following year (1823) bought out Seitler. In 1824, Zeitler withdrew from their partnership but Rosengarten continued the firm that operated under the name of George D. Rosengarten & Co. From 1854, the firm became known as Rosengarten & Sons when he was joined by his eldest two sons, Samuel and Mitchell. In 1860, they were joined by his youngest two sons, Harry and Adolph. George acquired a significant interest in the Pennsylvania Railroad and at the time of his death in 1890, he was one of the wealthiest men in Philadelphia.