ROSE, WILLIAM GANSON (29 Oct. 1878-16 Aug. 1957), author, advertising executive, and civic promoter, was born in Cleveland to William R. and Eliza F. Ganson Rose. He graduated from Adelbert College of Western Reserve University in 1901 (see CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY), and was dramatic editor of the PLAIN DEALER from 1902-07. He became an advertising and business counsel to several banks and private industries, and in 1915 formed an advertising and public-relations firm, Wm. G. Rose, Inc. During his career, Rose managed fairs and expositions, including Cleveland's INDUSTRIAL EXPOSITION (1909); ART LOAN EXPOSITION (1913); and first Electrical Exposition (1914). In 1930 he managed the Internatl. Gordon Bennett Races, and in 1936-37 directed the GREAT LAKES EXPOSITION. He directed 5 4th of July FESTIVALS OF FREEDOM, and the cultural, educational, and entertainment features of the Cleveland Sesquicentennial in 1946.
Rose served on the City Planning Commission in 1915, and in 1916-17 chaired the Committee of 100 Organizations, securing passage of the $2.5 million Public Hall Bond Issue. He was president of the CLEVELAND ADVERTISING CLUB from 1914-16 and program chairman of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce from 1927-57. Rose wrote articles for newspapers and magazines, as well as several books: The Comic History of Cleveland (1901); The Radium Book (1905); The Ginger Cure (1911); Putting Marshville on the Map (1912); Success in Business (1913); and Cleveland, The Making of a City (1950). Rose married Julia Miller in 1927 and had 1 daughter, Mrs. Walter R. (Nancy) Jones. Rose died in Cleveland and was buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.