A native of New York, born in Steuben County April 27, 1824, a son of Aaron and Hannah (Ager) Rosenkrans. He spent his youth in attending school, and in assisting his father in the manufacture of wagons, and when he attained his majority was given a partnership in the business. In March, 1856, he moved to Iowa and settled in Webster City, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber and the real estate business. The following fall he was elected clerk of courts of Webster County, which then comprised the present limits of Hamilton and Webster counties, and served in this capacity two years. In 1859 he was elected to represent Hamilton and Story counties in the State Legislature, serving in the sessions of 1859, 1860, and the special session of 1861. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was appointed drafting commissioner by Governor Kirkwood, holding the position during the war. He has held the positions of mayor and councilman of Webster City, and has taken an active interest in all enterprises for the advancement of the city and county. He was one of the incorporators of the Crooked Creek and Southwestern Railroad, and served as its secretary. He was for several years engaged in the real estate business, and devoted his time to the improvement and development of Rosenkrans Park. Mr. Rosenkrans was married June 3, 1851, to Charlotte LarRowe, a native of Wheeler, Steuben County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenkrans are members of the Congregational church. In politics he is now independent, but was formerly a Whig and later a Republican.