Biography of Reuben Rogers

Four miles southeast from Peck, on the Central Ridge wagon road, one comes to the pleasant home place of Mr. Rogers. The estate consists of a fine quarter section of fertile land, which was taken by Mr. Rogers as a homestead from the wild country. He has bestowed his labors with Mich wisdom and industry that it is now one of the finest farms of the vicinity and a standing evidence of his thrift and progressiveness. The residence is a seven room structure of modern design, while a large and substantial barn with outbuildings to match and all fences and so forth needed are other evidences of the prosperity and emoluments of industry.

Reuben Rogers was born in Allegany County, New York, on December 30, 1844, where also his parents, Orton and Jerutia (Hadsell) Rogers were born in 1815 and 1827, respectively. Reuben’s grandfather, Stephen Rogers, was born in Connecticut, on May 12, 1786, and died in 1888, aged one hundred and two years, a remarkable length of life. He was a man of great powers and of considerable prominence in his place. He fought in the war of 18 12 and was always a staunch supporter of the government. For sixty seven years he dwelt on one farm, then in 1870 sold it and bought another two miles distant, where he resided until his death. He never would trust himself to the cars, and on one occasion made a trip from the old home in New York to Adams County, Wisconsin, by private conveyance rather than ride on the cars.

Reverting again more particularly to our subject, we note that he grew to manhood on the farm, received his education from the common schools and on October 13, 1864, he married Miss Mary L., daughter of Moses and Martha (Putney) Black, natives also of New York. Mrs. Rogers was born in Allegany County, on February 15, 1840. Mr. Rogers enlisted three different times in the war of the Rebellion, but was refused each time on account of the loss of his right index finger. In 1873 he located in Huron County, Michigan, and in 1879 came to Pawnee County, Nebraska.

In 1882 he removed thence to Beadle County, South Dakota, whence he came by train to Butte, Montana, and the remainder of the journey to his present place he made with team, locating here in 1896. Five children have been born to this happy family. Melvin A., married to Lucena Roberson, living near Peck, and having two children, Edgar E. and Mary A.; Emma T., wife of Berney Powell, of Butte, Montana, and they have one child, Harold L.; Myrtle J., wife of Oscar D. Holmes, of Butte, Montana, and they have one child, Keith D.; Carrie I.; Elizabeth, who is teaching school in Peck. The three oldest daughters have taught much in Butte.

Mr. Rogers is a man of good qualities and has done a real worthy labor in building up this section of the County, while he has maintained an unsullied reputation, being of first class standing.

Back to: Nez Perce Biographies

Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903

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