William Rogers

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, 1902
Transcribed by John Melton

ROGERS, WILLIAM H.; Farmer; born in Westchester County, New York, October 11, 1836, the son of John S. Rogers, a native of New York, and Mary Ann (Sutton) Rogers, a native of England. While the family were ascending the Mississippi, having come from New York via New Orleans, John S. Rogers was drowned and left his widow to care for the family. In 1843 the family came on to Jubilee Township via the Illinois River and Peoria and settled on Section 24, the trip occupying four weeks. Here they remained until 1862,when they removed to Radnor Township, setting on Section 9 in that Township. On account of his father’s death, most of the business of caring for the family devolved on William H. Among other difficult duties, he drove teams to Chicago when the roads were only trails across the prairie. Mr. Rogers and Jeannette E. Wakefield were married in Radnor Township, January 16, 1861. She was born in Radnor, November 22, 1831, the daughter of John L. and Martha Wakefield, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were the parents of nine children: Clarence Sherman, born October 9, 1841, died June 10?, 1970; Logan A., born October 24, 1867; Elliott, born December 26, 1868; Charles S., born February 11, 1860; Leslie J., born October 3, 1861, died September 26, 1896; Wilson N., born May 29, 1873; William J., born February 1, 1875; John L., born May 4, 1879; Mina Ellen, born March 30, 1884, is at home; Elmer B., born February 14, 1887. Mrs. Rogers died April 14, 1888. Mr. Rogers has a farm of three hundred and ninety acres in Radnor Township and one hundred and sixty acres of land in Nebraska. In politics he is a Republican. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of I. O. M. A., an insurance order. He has been School Director many years and has held the office of Road Commissioner for fifteen years.

Pages 804-805