A Grunge Rocker the relative of a Visual Artist?

The Rosekrans continue to be a delightful source of stories for the Vincent family.  

We know that Capt Benjamin Jacobus Rosekrans married our Phebe Vincent (great granddaughter of Charles Sr), now we meet Phebe's great granddaughter, Caroline Elizabeth Beach Rosekrans, aka Carrie.

Caroline Vedder (nee Rosekrans) abt 1868

Carrie was born in 1846 at Glens Falls, NY to the Honourable Enoch Huntington Rosekrans and Caroline Elizabeth Josephine Beach.  Her father was a Judge on the Supreme Court of New York who hailed from Waterford.

In 1869, she married the quintessential starving artist (albeit self-imposed), Elihu Vedder.

Elihu Vedder

They moved to Italy where he pursued his career while Caroline endeavored to ensure her husband's work was promoted whenever, where ever needed.

Elihu was born in New York city to his dentist father Dr Elihu Vedder Sr and Elizabeth Vedder.  

Elihu Jr was an author, sculptor, muralist, illustrator, and painter but his illustrations for the "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" was the work that made him famous.  One writer referred to his work as 'poems in paints'.

The Padncah Sun, Wed, 17 Feb 1904

Despite the fame, his beliefs hampered his commercial success.  Based on some of the newspapers and letters, Caroline with the help of family friends, bore the brunt of promoting his work.  He won over Queen Margharita who told him herself she wanted some of his work but he did not pursue it.  Although not reclusive and very well known in his social circles, the lack of self-promotion became evident in 1911 when many Romans did not know who he was despite living and working amongst them for nearly 50 years!


Caroline and Elihu had four children: Philip Rosekrans; Alexander Madison; Anita Herriman and Enoch Rosekrans - the first two died young, Anita never married & Enoch married but he died at 39.

Anita H Vedder

Anita was an artist in her own right, she painted tapestries, an art form that started in the 15th century.  

Enoch R Vedder

Enoch was a young architect who had a successful career in New York when he died in Italy while visiting.

A very talented little clan and thanks to the museums that continue to show his work to this day, will not be forgotten!

I would highly recommend those interested to visit the "Treasure Trove" link below - it's a link to the Archives of American Art which has a substantial digital collection to view - letters and papers with birth, death & marriage info; amazing pictures of the family including the parents of both Caroline and Elihu; his writings; letters to family members and more!  Also, hop over to Fulton Postcard and plug in Elihu Vedder's name - paper after paper of stories on his work!

The New York Herald, Sat, 26 Jun 1909

NY Times, 30 Jan 1923

Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam

And lastly, the lead vocalist for Pearl Jam - Eddie Vedder is a cousin - he took his mother's maiden name, her name was Karen Lee Vedder - the resemblance!

Treasure Trove - letters, diaries, pictures 
Elihu Vedder Bio 
Image Gallery - Artist Elihu Vedder 
Eddie Vedder