Thomas Rogers

As printed in 1911

THOMAS ROGERS

Many ofLthe most substantial and well-to-do citizens of Linn county are found among her farmers and stock-raisers and Thomas Rogers, whose name introduces this review, is classed with this number. He has accumulated two hundred and ninety acres of the finest land to be found in the rich agricultural districts of Iowa, and although he has made his home in this county for only a few years he has already gained an honorable place among its representative men. He is, however, a native of the state, his birth, having occurred on a farm in Clinton comity, May 31, 1860.

His parents. William and Isabelle (Harris) Rogers, were both natives of Perthshire, Scotland, whence they emigrated to the new world in 185S, settling on a farm in Clinton county, Iowa. There the father developed and improved new land and was identified with the agricultural interests of that section of the state during his remaining years. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, namely: Isabel, a resident of Wapello, Iowa; May A., who became the wife of H. M. Davis of Tama county and died in 1896, leaving a daughter; Thomas, of this review; Alexander, who died in infancy; Jessie, who died when in her ninth year; "William, who lives on a farm near Wapello; Mrs. Elizabeth Holmes, of Muscatine, Iowa; and James, who lives in Wapello. The mother lived only about twelve years after coming to Iowa, her death occurring in 1870. The father survived for many years and departed this life in 1895.

Thomas Rogers, the third in order of birth in his father's family, remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-three years and from the period of his early boyhood was trained in the work of the home farm. At that age he started out to make his own way in the world and for one year was employed at farm labor by the month. He then purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land in Clinton county, operating the same until 1897. He then disposed of that property to advantage and invested his money in two hundred and forty acres in Louisa county, this state. He made his home thereon for five years, or until 1901, when he-made another change in location and, disposing of (hat farm, came to Linn county, purchasing one hundred and seventy acres. thereon he made his home until the fall of 1910. In the meantime, in 1909, he purchased a second tract, comprising one hundred and twenty acres, and it was upon the latter place that he took up his above in October, 1910. His possessions in Linn county now embrace two hundred and ninety acres, all lying in Linn township, and thus his time is fully occupied in the work of general farming and stock-raising. He is meeting with very desirable success in his undertakings and his capable management and keen foresight have enabled him to add not a little to his income in the buying and selling of various farm properties. He lias made many improvements upon his laud and he and his family now occupy nice modern residence, in the rear of which are seen substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Every change he has made in his business life has given him broader scope for the exercise of his energy, ambition and industry, his dominant powers, and thus he stands today among the men of affluence in Linn county.

On the 19th of December, iSSS, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Nettie L. Dunham, who has proved to him a most faithful and helpful companion. She is the only living daughter of Wesley II. and Celia (Clapp) Dunham, both of whom were natives of Xew York. In 1868 they removed to the middle west and located on a farm in Clinton county. For many years they were numbered among the worthy farming people of that section of the state but spent their last years in honorable retirement, the father passing away in 1905. The mother survived for only a brief period, her demise occurring the following year, in 1906.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been born two sons and three daughters, namely: "Wesley W.. who was born December 2, 18S9, and is a high-school student at Mount Vernon, being a member of the graduating class of 1911; Glenn II., who was born May 29, 1891, and is a member of the same class; Celia, who was born December 13, 1893. and who will likewise graduate from high school in 1911; Dorothy D., who was born February 25, 1896, and is a high-school student; and Mary, who Mas born July 31, 1901, and is in school at Mount Vernno.

Politically Mr. Rogers is a republican, while his fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows, his membership being in Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 551. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He owes his success to his own thrift, energy and economy. In his earlier years he had many difficulties and obstacles to overcome but despite that fact he has made steady progress along well defined lines of labor and in accordance with honorable methods and is today one of the most prominent and representative agriculturists of Linn county.

As printed in History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.