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Benjamin L. Rosenbloom

Articles on the Death of
Congressman Benjamin L. Rosenbloom


Wheeling Intelligencer
March 24, 1965

Unsung - Forgotten Life Of Usefulness Recalled By Rosenbloom Death

Trail blazers do not always reap the rewards of their feats, either in material gain or public recognition. Too often the real pioneer is forgotten in the rush of lesser men who come along to cash in on his vision.

The late Benjamin L. Rosenbloom, who died in the Cleveland Clinic on Monday, belonged to this company. In some respects Ben Rosenbloom was a man who lived before his time. A life-long opponent of prohibition, his was for years a voice in the wilderness in both the Senate of West Virginia and the Congress of the United States. But he lived to see his State and his Nation reject the policy after his contribution to the movement had been largely forgotten. He was a pioneer in the feeble early agitation to rid the Nation's streams of pollution at a time when this was regarded as a fanciful vision. He plead the cause of depletion taxation when such advocacy was considered the spouting of a political crackpot. He was in the front battle lines of other unpopular causes which later were embraced.

Senator Rosenbloom had other distinctions. He had the proud record of never having missed a roll call in either the Senate of West Virginia or the national House of Representatives, and he possessed always the courage of his convictions. Although a Republican from early manhood he deserted his party when he believed the Democratic Party under Mr. Roosevelt to represent better what he regarded as the liberal viewpoint, but lost his enthusiasm when the New Deal, Fair Deal and their successors strayed from what he believed to be the moorings of sound American doctrine.

Eighty-five years of age when he died, Mr. Rosenbloom had lived in retirement and virtual obscurity for some years, his public service and vision remembered only by the fading few of his own generation. But the work he did, the inspiration he provided, the impetus he gave to numerous enlightened movements will live on.


Wheeling Intelligencer
March 23, 1965

B. L. Rosenbloom, Former Congressman, Dies at Age 85

Benjamin L. Rosenbloom, 85, retired Wheeling attorney, and former congressman, died Monday in the Cleveland Clinic after a lingering illness.

A native of Braddock, Pa., he attended the West Virginia University Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1905. He began practicing law in Wheeling and continued until his retirement in 1951.

During this period he also found time to serve as a state senator, congressman, Wheeling city councilman and mayor and newspaper publisher.

He attended WVU on the strength of his football talents. He played tackle and fullback on the 1901 and 1902 Mountaineer teams.

A long-time foe of prohibition, he began his crusade in the West Virginia Seante in 1915 and at that time was the only member of that body opposed to the drys. In 1920 while a candidate for Congress, he compliled his famous "Fable" opposing prohibition. He served in Congress from 1921 to 1925 and included in the legislation which he introduced were laws controlling stream pollution, registration of aliens and legislation aimed at guaranteeing bank deposits.

In the 1930s he founded a weekly newspaper called "Tides." This paper was a sort of expose publication, outspoken in its editorials and is well remembered by older Wheeling residents.

Along with his busy lifetime of public service, he served a term as exalted ruler of the Wheeling Lodge of Elks.

Funeral services and burial will be held today in Cleveland.


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