Milward H. Rogers

As printed in 1905

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 Biographical review of Lee County, Iowa; (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.