Samuel G. Rogers

As printed in 1898

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

Joseph M. Rogers, father of the subject, was a mechanic, and settled in Akron early in 1865, where he followed his vocation until his death, in 1888, at the age of fifty-five years. He was a republican of the stanchest kind in his earlier political associations, but afterward became one of the organizers of and leaders in the union labor party and was one of its first candidates for congress, but, not being an office seeker, was nominated on his own merits and as a mark of recognition for the service he had rendered to the new organization. As a patriot, he fought in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of the First Nebraska volunteer infantry, company C, in which he enlisted in 1861, and served for two years, when he was discharged as a sergeant for disability, after having bravely fought at Forts Henry and Donelson, and at Pittsburg Landing. To his marriage were born five children, in the following order: Samuel G., subject of the present memoir; Ella M., a teacher in the Akron public schools; Francis E., a stenographer in New York city; George S., a lettercarrier in Akron, Ohio, and Gertrude M., at home with her parents.

Samuel G. Rogers, the especial subject of this biography, was primarily educated in the public schools, worked thereafter in the holding rooms of the Buckeye company until he had secured the means of self-education preparatory to entering the office of Judge U. L. Marvin, a student at law, in 1885. He then took a full course in the Cincinnati Law school from which he graduated in 1887, with honors, was admitted to the bar the same year, and at once began practice in Akron. He held the position of clerk under Mayors Seward and Miller, under whom it was part of his duty to act as prosecutor in the police court during the years of 1889-90-91, and in 1892 was elected prosecuting attorney of Summit county, which office he filled with marked ability for three years.

Since 1891 he has been a conspicuous figure in the ranks of the democratic party, and to-day stands foremost in its ranks, having been a delegate to its conventions each year since that date and an effective orator in its campaigns.

The legal firm of which Mr. Rogers is a member was formed January i, 1893, and has now the management of some of the most important law cases in which the citizens of Akron are interested; and already, in one case, before the supreme court of Ohio, involving the validity of the government of the city itself, it has won a signal victory as attorneys for the city.

March 6, 1895, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Miss Chloe Faust, daughter of Joseph Faust, of Akron, and they have been blessed by the birth of one child — Virgil E. The societary relations of Mr. Rogers are with the American Bar association, the Summit county Bar association, the Summit lodge, No. 50, I. O. O. F., iEtolia lodge. No. 24, K. of P., and Akron division, uniform rank, K. of P. The residence of Mr. Rogers is at No. 424Buchtel avenue.

EV. DAVID DAVIES (Dewi Emlyn) I T was a native of South Wales, having J,P been born in the year 18 17, in Carmarthenshire, near the line of Cardigan. His ancestry has been traced as far back as 1667, through a long line of distinguished yards. From his illustrious ancestor, Morgan Rhydderch, is descended more than forty ministers. There are now in America more than one hundred of this Rhydderch's descendants, among them being the Hon. Horatio Gates Jones, of Philadelphia, now dead, and May. General Gershon Mott, of New York. He united with the Congregational church at Iwan chapel, and v/as received by the renowned Rev. Morgan Jones, Trelech. Much attention was given to his early education, and his advantages in that line were better than most boys of his time, so that he became an efficient school-teacher. In 1843 he commenced preaching; in 1845 he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Williams, born in 1815. They emigrated to America in 1852, and, in the same year, he was ordained at Paris, Portage county, Ohio. During his long and useful ministry he labored at Tallmadge, Thomastown, and Brookfield, Ohio. He died at the age of seventy-one, August 2, 1888, at Paris (Wayland) Portage county, where his ministry began. His widow died September 19. 1895. H's son. Rev. D. Davies, is a successful minister connected with the East Ohio conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. His eldest daughter, Mary, is the widow of James Geer Brewster, of Thomastown, near Akron, and his youngest daughter, Rachel, resides with her sister, Mrs. Brewster.

He was a man of distinct and prominent characteristics, and was familiarly known, both in the mother country and in this, as "Dewi Emlyn." His literary and bardic productions, as well as his ministerial standing, have made him. known wherever the Welsh language is spoken. His writings were confined to that language, but had he composed in English, with which he was as familiar, his genius would undoubtedly have been recognized and honored by the English press and public.

His life was devoted to the advancement of the pure and good. He was an ardent and uncompromising defender of truth and right in political and religious affairs. As a spiritualminded and faithful minister, he was highly esteemed. His acquaintance with books was wide; he kept abreast with the times, and encouraged the progress of every legitimate reform. He was a quiet man, who shunned conspicuousness, and gladly served his Master in quiet country places where he received but moderate compensation.

His death was the result of a brief but not violent illness. He was buried with great respect, and memorial services were held in several places within the circle of his work. His last lines of poetry were composed a few days before he was taken sick. One who reads them now cannot fail to be struck by their e. pression of his strong aspirations after that higher, pure existence to which he was soon to be called.

oCh-crfL-. KJTUzeETER ROTHERMEL, a thriving and respected farmer of Rootstown township, Portage county, Ohio, was born in Germany June 24, 1835, a son of Peter and Margaret (Brotzes) Rothermel, the former of whom was a weaver by trade, and to whom was born a family of eight children, five of whom are still living, viz: Theressa, widow of Andrew Rettig; Mary, wife of Andrew Horning; Adam, Peter and Matthias. The deceased were George, who died April 3, 1897, aged sixty-seven years; John, who died March II, 1862, aged twenty-four, and Philip, who died at the age of three. The family came to America in 1840 and settled in Randolph township, Portage county, Ohio, and here the father, for a short time, followed his trade of weaver, and then bought a farm, which he cultivated until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty years, in the faith of the Catholic church, in which faith, also, the mother was called away May 21, 1890, aged eighty-four.

Peter Rothermel was but five years of age when brought to Randolph township by his parents, and was here reared to manhood on his father's farm, receiving but a limited education. At the age of twenty-one years he hired out among the neighboring farmers as a helper until his first marriage, which took place October 4, i8s8, to Miss Elizabeth Elmerich, daughter of Joseph and Mary Elmerich, but to this union there was no issue, as Mrs. Rothermel was called away July 12, 1859, in the faith of the Catholic church. Octobers, 1859, Mr. Rothermel was united in wedlock with Miss Mollie Weidaman, who was born in Randolph township June 27, 1842, a daughter of John and Magdalena (Spellman) Weidaman, and this union has been blessed with ten children, viz: Margaret, Frank, Henry, Andrew, Annie, Otto, Clara, Joseph, Edward and Leo.

John Weidaman, father of Mrs. Mollie Rothermel, is a native of Germany and a carpenter by trade. He came to Ohio in 1840, settled in Randolph township, and here engaged in farming, working at his trade meanwhile. In 1 84 1 he married Miss Spellman, the union resulting in the birth of seven children, viz: MoUie; Margaret, wife of Conrad Hauff; Barnhard, John, Charles, all still living, and Elizabeth and Abbie, deceased. The mother of this family died August 25, 1892, at the age of seventy-nine years, a devoted member of the Catholic church. The father now resides in Rootstown, a highly respected citizen, having filled several township offices and having been a steward in the Catholic church for many years.

In 1877 Peter Rothermel settled on the farm he now owns in Rootstown township, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation and improved with a good dwelling and all necessary farm buildings. He began life a poor man, but was very industrious and economical in his earlier days of labor, and is now one of the most respected and substantial citizens of his township. Politically he is a democrat, and for many years has served as supervisor of his township and as school director, and in religion is a Catholic, to which faith all his family devoutly adhere.

As printed in A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio (1898). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.