In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1908) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1836
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908), The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881)
RICHARD HENRY RODGERS, manufacturer of grain-drills and cidermills, Springfield. Mr. Richard Henry Rodgers was born in Springfield on the 28d of September, 1836, and has been a life-time resident of the place; he has three brothers and two sisters, and of the former, Dr. John H. Rodgers, a prominent physician of Springfield, is the oldest. Our subject’s twin brother, Isaac W., is of the firm of L. Patrie & Co., of this city, manufacturers of hot-air furnaces, and the other brother, James G., ism the First National Bank of Springfield. In 1866, Mr. Rodgers married Miss Alice Kilgore, who has borne him two sons and one daughter. His mother is still spared to her sons, but their father died Feb. 14, 1880, a victim of softening of the brain. Mr. Rodgers’ career has been somewhat varied, but uniformly successful; when quite young, he attended Wittenberg College, but left at 17, before reaching the higher classes; he entered Brown & Co.'s drug-store, remaining two years, after which he was a year or two in the office of the Sandusky Railroad, from which he went into the Clark County Bank, of which his uncle was Cashier, and there he remained until the bank changed hands, about 1857; after this event, he went to St. Louis, doing for one year a wholesale and retail carpet business; returning to Springfield, he entered the County Treasurer's office, acting five years in the capacity of Deputy County Treasurer; while yet in this office, he bought an interesting a bookstore, the firm being Ransom & Rodgers; Ransom going to the army, he conducted the business until Ransom’s return, when he bought his partner's interest, becoming sole proprietor, Mr. Ransom going to Cincinnati. Mr. Rodgers continued the book business until 1867, when he bought an interest in the firm of Jewell & Ludlow, which, in 1872, became the present firm of Thomas (Joseph W. and C. E. Ludlow (Abram R.) & Rodgers. "They manufacture, under special patents, agricultural articles for which there is a constant and increasing demand, and, having all the business they can handle, the firm's prosperity has been marked and pronounced, and their future bids fair to be even better, if possible. Mr. Rodgers is an excellent type of the modern business man; has clear-cut, iron-gray features, very prepossessing appearance and pleasant address; his family and self are Presbyterians, and he takes lively interest in the North Side Chapel. E
As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
RICHARD HENRY RODGERS, whose large business interests have been mainly concerned with Springfield enterprises, was born September 23, 1836, at Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, where his family, coming from old pioneer stock, has been prominent for many years. He was educated in his native city, completing his course at Wittenberg College. He was seventeen years of age when he became a clerk in a local drug store, and later he was for several years a member of the office force of the Sandusky Railroad. At this period his uncle was cashier of the Clark County Bank, and thus a promising opening was offered the young man and he became connected with the bank and remained with it until its reorganization, in 1857. Mr. Rodgers then left his native city for the first time, accepting a position with a wholesale and retail carpet house at St. Louis, Missouri, but one year later he returned to Springfield, and subsequently was appointed deputy county treasurer, in which capacity he served for five years. In the meantime he had been considering a business proposition which resulted in his embarking in a book and stationery enterprise, in partnership with Captain E. P. Ransom, under the firm name of Ransom and Rodgers. After retiring from the county treasurer's office, Mr. Rodgers gave his entire time to the book business, attending to all its details, while Mr. Ransom served in the army. After the latter 's return Mr. Rodgers bought his interest, and continued to operate his book store until 1867. At this date he purchased an interest in a business already established at Springfield, which later became known as the firm of Thomas, Ludlow and Rodgers, continuing thus until November 1, 1893, when the firm was merged into the Superior Drill Company. This subsequently became a part of the American Seeding Company, which is still engaged in the manufacture of drills.
As indicative of Mr. Rodgers' grasp of business it mav be mentioned that he is vice president and a director of the First National Bank of Springfield; president of Mast, Foos & Company; president of the Springfield Gas Engine Company, builders of gas and gasoline and traction engines, and president of the Corrugated Steel Nail Company, of which his twin brother, Isaac W., is treasurer. The latter is also president of the Patric Manufacturing Company. Both Mr. Rodgers and his brother reside at No. 206 North Limestone Street.
Mr. Rodgers was married in 1866 to Alice Kilgore, and they had three children— Charles Kilgore, Robert S., and Effie S., the last mentioned of whom died in infancy. Charles Kilgore Rodgers married Florence Mast, and died October 27, 1902, leaving one son, Richard Mast. His wife died in April, 1901. Robert S. Rodgers married Edith Winwood, and resides in Springfield, where he is superintendent of the manufacturing department of the American Seeding Machine Co. He has one daughter, Alice K. Mrs. Alice Rodgers died February 12, 1884.
Mr. Rodgers is an excellent type of the modern business man, alert and progressive, yet careful and thorough — one who, while conducting enterprises of worldwide fame, still finds time to interest himself in various matters pertaining to the welfare of his native city, promoting her religious, charitable and philanthropic causes and institutions. With his family, he is identified with the Presbyterian Church.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: John H. Rodgers (b. 1834)
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.