 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Simon W. Rosendale was born in Albany in 1841, coming of a German family, and reads and speaks German fluently. His father, Sampson Rosendale, was a native of Bavaria, and his mother of Saxony. His parents came to this country in 1837, and made Albany their home. Mr. Rosendale was educated in one of the public schools and became a student of the Albany Academy and by his aptness for learning and geniality of his disposition and his successful application he gained the highest esteem of his teachers and classmates. In 1857 he entered the law office of Courtney & Cassidy, then an important legal firm, suspending his law studies to finish his general education in the halls of the Barre,Vt., Academy, from which he graduated in 1861, and on his return to Albany was admitted to the bar in 1862. Within a year he was appointed assistant district attorney of Albany, and rendered valuable aid to that office. In 1868 he was elected recorder by a large majority. He was appointed by Mayor Nolan corporation counsel, resigning the office in 1882 on account of his extensive law practice. He has been a member of the law firm of Peckham, Rosendale & Hessberg, which upon the election to the Supreme Court of Hon. Rufus W. Peckham became and now remains the well known firm of Rosendale & Hessberg. In 1884 he was again appointed corporation counsel by Mayor Banks. He is prominently identified with the legal and commercial interests of the Slate and with many local organizations, being a director of the National Commercial Bank, the National Savings Bank, the Albany Railway Company, the Albany Hospital, and was for years treasurer of the New York State Bar Association. He is also a trustee of the Albany Medical College (Union University). He has long been a representative of his people, willing to give his time, talents and money in aid of Jewish charitable and religious interests, and has been identified with many movements in prominent organizations connected with Judaism. He was for many years prominently identified with the order of Benai Berith, and for ten years the president of its National Court of Appeals. He has presided over the convention of the United Hebrew Congregations of America, and is a member of its National Executive Committee. He is a member of the executive committee of the Jewish Publication Society of America, and presided at its initial meeting in Philadelphia. He is also vice-president of the recently organized American Jewish Historical Society.
In 1891 he was nominated by the Democratic State Convention for attorney general of the State of New York, on the same ticket with Governor Flower, and was elected by a very flattering majority. He is now engaged in the practice of the law. In the discharge of the manifold and arduous duties of attorney-general, it may at least be said that Mr. Rosendale's administration was successful and met with public approval.
