Charles Rosa was born on September 15, 18709 in the Town of Center Rock County, Wisconsin. He attended the rural schools in Rock County, then Evansville Academy and Beloit College, graduating in 1895.
After serving three years as principal of schools in Edgerton, Wisconsin, he entered the University of Wisconsin Law School, getting his degree in 1903.
In 1906 he became first judge of the Beloit Municipal Court, serving a six-year term. He was elected to the State Assembly as a Progressive Republican in 1912, and returned in 1917-1918. He introduced legislation on licensing of hotels and restaurants, mothers' pensions, labor laws, soldiers' bonuses, and on the city manager form of government.
Rosa was named in May, 1921, to the State Tax Commission and served until 1937, when he retired.
In 1914, Rosa bought an interest in the Kickapoo Valley Development Company and for many years owned interests in the apple orchards of that vicinity. He discontinued his orchard interests in 1950.
In 1926, he took time off from his Tax Commission work to run for the United States Senate against John J. Blaine. Rosa was defeated.
In later years, he continued his interest in political, social, and economic problems, and wrote.
