Born in Vermont in 1855, Chelsea J. Rockwood settled with his family as a boy near Mankato, Minn. He attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1879. While serving as superintendent of public schools in LeSueur, MN, he prepared for his life’s work by studying in a law office. After being admitted to the bar in 1882, he practiced law in Minneapolis until his death 52 years later, with only one break for service on the Hennepin County District Court from 1917 to 1920.
Rockwood was actively involved in the development of the Minneapolis park system. He represented the park board as a lawyer for many years and served as park commissioner in 1893. Rockwood became receiver for the W.B. Foshay Company in 1929, the same year the firm’s landmark office building in Minneapolis was built.