Rosina "Rosa" Zindle Hesse

Civil War Nurse: Rosina "Rosa" Zindle Hesse

Written by Erika Barrett

Early Life and Journey to Keokuk

Rosina "Rosa" Zindle Hesse, born in Cologne on the Rhine in 1838, came to the United States with her family when she was just a young girl. Her father, Louis Gottlieb Zindel, a man of many talents, brought his family to St. Louis, Missouri, after helping General John C. Fremont fight Indians and discover gold. Eventually, the family settled in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1848, when Rosa was ten years old. At that time, Keokuk was little more than a frontier trading post, with no streets laid out and prairie land surrounding what is now a bustling city.

Rosa’s childhood in Keokuk was marked by memories of the town's early days, where Indians were a common sight, and her family lived in one of the few brick houses in the area. Her father, a civil engineer and a man of considerable intellect, was instrumental in various civic projects, including the construction of the North Road and the old central high school.

Contribution to the Civil War Effort

During the Civil War, Rosina Hesse played a vital role in supporting the Union Army. She served as a nurse and cook at the Estes House hospital in Keokuk, where she met her future husband, Louis F. Hesse, a soldier who was brought to the hospital on a stretcher. Their romance blossomed as he recovered, and they married just before he returned to the front lines. Rosa’s service did not end with her marriage; she was sworn into service as a cook for Union officers stationed in Davenport, Iowa, spending her honeymoon in service to her country.

Rosa's work during the Civil War placed her among the thousands of women who served as nurses, often in challenging and dangerous conditions. Although many Civil War nurses, like Rosa, received little recognition during or after the war, their contributions were invaluable. Rosa was one of the few who lived long enough to witness the passage of the Nurses' Pension Act of 1892, which finally recognized the sacrifices these women made.

Life in Keokuk After the War

After the war, Rosina and Louis returned to Keokuk, where they continued to build their lives. Rosa became a pillar of her community, not only as a war veteran but also as a businesswoman who ran a store in the neighborhood where she had lived since childhood. She was known for her strong character and pioneering spirit, exemplified by an incident where she successfully stopped the unlawful auction of her property by boldly confronting those responsible.

Rosa witnessed and adapted to many changes over her long life, from the introduction of streetlights and streetcars to the advent of the automobile, airplane, and radio. Her memories included seeing Mormons camped near Keokuk and watching the construction of the canal and bridge that would shape the city's future.

Legacy and Recognition

Rosina Hesse lived to the remarkable age of 92, passing away in 1930. She left behind a legacy of resilience, service, and dedication to her community and her country. Her long life allowed her to witness and contribute to the growth and development of Keokuk from a small trading post into a thriving city. Today, she rests in Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk, honored as one of Iowa's Civil War nurses, a testament to the vital but often overlooked role women played during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.

Unique Contributions and Impact

What made Rosina Hesse unique was her dual role as a caregiver during the Civil War and as a stalwart member of her community afterward. Her experiences as a nurse and cook for Union soldiers, alongside her husband's service, underscore the sacrifices that countless women made during the war. Her life story is a reflection of the pioneering spirit that defined Keokuk's early settlers and the women who helped shape the course of American history, often behind the scenes and without the recognition they deserved.

Sources:

1. "Mrs. Rosina Hesse, 92 Today Has Lived In Keokuk Four Score Years," Daily Gate City, October 3, 1930.

2. “Nurses in the Civil War,” Des Moines Partnership Blog.