The Rogers Family of Lee County, Iowa

MILWARD H. ROGERS.

The life record of Milwanl H. Rogers covered more than eighty-one years, and the story of his life is that of an honorable man, who was active in business, loyal in citizenship and faithful to his friends. As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity and its evening of completed and successful effort ended in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this upright man. For six decades he remained a resident of Iowa, and while he won success through capable conducted business affairs, he was always mindful of his duty to his fellowmen and of his obligation to his Maker.

Milward H. Rogers was born in the city of London, England, March 19, 1819. the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Rogers, who were both of English birth. The son was christened in Saint Paul's church, London, and while an infant removed with his parents to Montgomery, in Wales, where he passed his early years and for a time attended school. In the fall of 1832 he accompanied his parents to America, remaining in Xew York until the following spring, when the family journeyed westward and settled in Delaware county, Ohio. There the father died a few months later. — in September. 1833. His wife survived him for a period of forty-nine years, her death occurring at the residence of her son in Lee county. Iowa, in the ninety-first year of lier age. She was a woman of fine mentality, had traveled extensively, and possessed a character of true refinement and culture. In 1840 Mr. Rogers removed from Delaware county, Ohio, to Lee county, Iowa, where for a time he rented land and engaged in farming, but later decided that he could more profitably employ his efforts in cutting and supplying wood for fuel for the Mississippi River steamboats, and accordingly devoted some years to that occupation with considerable pecuniary success. He also purchased wooded lands near the river and resold it to owners of boats, thus by his prompt grasp of a business situation gaining a foothold in the new country and obtaining the means necessary to give him a start in life. He first purchased land in section 13 of Green Bay township, and after a number of years devoted to other enterprises decided to give his entire attention to farming. This he did during the remainder of his life, and by his ability, care and unwavering fulfillment of duty he succeeded to an extraordinary degree and became one of the most extensive landholders of the township, owning 1,465 acres of fertile and highly improved lands in one of the most lavishly productive agricultural regions of Iowa. Here he erected a magnificent brick residence, introduced modern methods and processes in farming, and constructed numbers of barns, granaries and other buildings according to the most approved scientific ideas, being of a supremely enterprising disposition and always a friend of progress.

On March 24, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Johnson, a daughter of Sheppard and Ann (McDaniel) Johnson. The father and mother of Mrs. Rogers were natives of Long Island, New York, and of Pennsylvania, respectively, and after their marriage settled in Hamilton county, Ohio, crossing the Mississippi in 1840 and locating in Green Bay township, where Mr. Johnson died two weeks after his arrival, — September 19, 1840. His wife survived him four years, her demise occurring April 23. 1844, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rogers. Mrs. Rogers, who was the second of a family of six sons and daughters, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, October 21, 1819, and came with her parents to Lee county, Iowa, June 19, 1840. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were born seven sons and one daughter, of whom four sons still survive, as follows: Milward H., Jr., who married Miss Sarah E. Fry; Johnson; George E., and Arthur. Biographical notices of the last three will be found elsewhere in this volume. Those deceased are Milward S., Monroe, Rebecca A. and Thomas.

Always taking a keen interest in public affairs, Mr. Rogers early gave his support to the Democratic party, an allegiance which he continued through life, and as a young man was prevailed upon to accept a number of public trusts, including the offices of drain commissioner, justice of the peace and county supervisor, he performing the duties of these positions with that conscientious devotion to the welfare of the community in which he lived which characterized everything he did that could by any possibility affect his neighbors and friends. Ever ready to do the right as it was given him to see the right he, as also his devoted wife, was an active worker in the Christian church, and in that bod)' he acted as an elder for many years. His last years found him faithful, even as his whole life had been one beautiful illustration of Christian faith. He departed mortal life December 19, 1900, the wife and mother having preceded him to the better world on May 21st of the same year, the remains of husband and wife being laid at rest in Beebe cemetery in Green Bay township. They left a memory fragrant with Christian charity and good deeds, and they so lived that the work they did shall not pass away. Mr. Rogers was a strong and significant character, combining business ability of a high order with humanitarian principles, and while achieving a large success and securing for himself much material wealth, he contributed in an important measure to the upbuilding of the county in which he passed the greater part of his life. He was widely known and respected wherever known, being regarded as a man of superlative integrity and vast business ability.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE E. ROGERS.

An enterprising citizen and agriculturist of Green Bay township is George E. Rogers, residing on section 16. He was born in a log cabin located on section 15, of this township, October 7, 1858, son of Milward H. and Susan Rogers, an account of whose lives and genealogics appears elsewhere in this volume. He acquired his early education and early knowledge of books in the public schools of his district, and grew to manhood in the acquirement of useful training as an assistant to his father. In fact, this training began very early. When only eleven years of age he was impressed into the hard service of caring for the year's harvest, his one elder brother having suffered from sunstroke. It is to such duties well and courageously performed, however, that many a man, like Mr. Rogers, has been al)le to trace his success in after life, and often what appears to many as mere good fortune is the result of years of training in the school of experience.

Mr. Rogers made his home Ijeneath the paternal roof until the year 1880, when he was united in marriage with Miss Cordelia May Vogt, daughter of Samuel H. and Elizabeth (McGregor) Vogt. The father of Mrs. Rogers was a native of Switzerland, and emigrated to America when seventeen years of age, making the voyage by sailing vessel and taking twenty-three days to cross the ocean. He located at Nauvoo, Illinois, and was there married before the Civil War. At the beginning of the war he enlisted in the Sevent'tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving his country as a soldier for the long period of three years and four months, four months of which were spent as a prisoner of war, and was for a time detained in the famous Andersonville prison. He removed some time after his marriage to Montrose township, Lee county, and in 1880 again removed, taking up his residence in Green Bay township, where he bought a small farm in the southeast corner of section 15. There he died December 5, 1899, at the age of sixty-five years and twenty-seven days. Mrs. Vogt was a native of Coshocton county, Ohio. She died February 22, 1903, aged seventy-one years, five months and twenty-one days. The remains of both rest in Beebe cemetery, this township. They were active and varied members of the Christian church, and were universally esteemed and respected. To them were born four children, of whom Mrs. Rogers is the only survivor.

Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are the parents of six sons and daughters, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Roy V., Cora E., Frank K. and Charles Bruce. The sons remain at home, and the daughter is the wife of William Sweeney and resides at Macomb, Illinois.

Mr. Rogers owns 185 acres of fine farming land, on which he conducts general farming operations and the usual amount of stock-raising. Here he has built a beautiful dwelling in the midst of fine grounds ornamented with shade trees, and has erected other buildings to meet the necessities and provide the conveniences of modern farm life, installing many improvements which combine the advantages of city and country. He supports the Christian church, of which Mrs. Rogers is a member, and in his political views is a Democrat, believing the policies to which that party stands pledged to be in accord with the fundamental principles of American government. Fraternally he has membership relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being Past Grand of the Wever Lodge and having served as representative to the Grand Lodge; is a member of the Knights of Pythias at

Wever and holds in that order the rank of Past Grand Deputy; and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Fort Madison. He is a gentleman of unusual ability, is thoroughly informed as to topics of current interest, and is accorded a position of high standing and great influence in his community. Although of the most modest pretentions as to his own worth, he is everywhere respected for the sterling qualities of his character, and has many friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

T38 other conveniences, a private gas plant for his own use. The residence building is a handsome and commodious structure situated amid pleasant surroundings.

Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of Good Hope Rebecca Lodge. Xo. 267, at Wever, and Mrs. Rogers is a member of the Christian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been born two daughters and one son: Ethel Rebecca, Sarah Jane and Harold Arthur. Fraternally Mr. Rogers is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 552, at Wever, of which he is Past Grand, and of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Xo. 374, at Fort Madison. In political affiliation he is a free thinker and considers well before casting his ballot. He is thoroughly progressive in his ideas, both as a farmer and as a citizen, and by his loyalty to his convictions and his capacity for friendship has won the regard and respect of those who know him.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.