Walter A. Rosenfield, the eldest son of Morris and Julia E. Rosenfield, was born in Rock Island, June 13, 1877. The sketch of his father and of the history of the Rosenfield family precedes this.
After completing the Rock Island public schools, Mr. Rosenfield entered St. John’s Military School at Manlius, New York, and graduated from that school.
In 1898 the lingering and hopeless illness of his father, Morris Rosenfield, having made it impossible for him to longer assume the duties devolving upon the president of an industry like the Moline Wagon Company, his son, our subject, was elected to that office, which position he still holds. Called to assume the guiding power of a great and growing industry when he had barely attained his majority, and at an age when most young men of his station are still pursuing their collegiate course, Mr. Rosenfield has displayed splendid ability in handling the large affairs that constantly demanded his attention. Under his management the plant has been enlarged and the output increased. Several new buildings have been added until the capacity of the factory is almost doubled.
Like his father, Walter A. Rosenfield, is a Republican, and although never seeking any political office for himself he takes an active interest in the trend of political affairs. He makes his home at the family residence at the head of Eighteenth Street in Rock Island, a handsome brick and sandstone edifice, and the handsomest home in the city. Mr. Rosenfield is a young man to whom large opportunities have been given to demonstrate what manner of man he is, and he has proved himself to be thoroughly capable. He has managed the affairs of the large industry, of which he is at the head, wisely and well.