Born near Chester, Illinois, the son of German immigrants,[1] Rodenberg attended the public schools.

He was admitted to the bar in 1893 and commenced practice in East St. Louis, St. Clair County, Illinois.

He was appointed a member of the United States Civil Service Commission by President William McKinley March 25, 1901, and served until April 1, 1902, when he resigned.

In November 1915, Rodenberg appeared as a dignitary on the train car along with the Liberty Bell as it passed through southern Illinois on its nationwide tour returning to Pennsylvania from the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

He was interred in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C.[4] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress