Biography - James Rogers
James ROGERS, miller, proprietor Eureka Mills, Litchfield, was born in Decatur County, Ind., April 5, 1835, where he lived until 1857, receiving his education in the public schools. At the age of seventeen, he apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1858. In March, 1857, he came to Walshville, this county, and, the following year, engaged at merchandising, continuing until 1861, when he came to Litchfield and kept a grocery eighteen years, during which time he was associated in mercantile business with Mr. F. M. MILES and Mr. J. F. SETZER. Miles & Co. added to their interests the milling business, and ran the present mill two years, when Mr. Lewis WHITTAKER and our subject bought it, in 1877, the firm name becoming Whittaker & Rogers; this continued two years, when Mr. ROGERS became sole proprietor, previously having sold his interest in his store; he has run the mill since, doing a large custom business, with a capacity of twenty barrels per twelve hours; he retains the old process; has two run of buhrs and employs three men; his mills are called Eureka Mills. Mr. ROGERS has been Township Collector, and has served as a member of the Litchfield School Board; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a charter member of the St. Omar Commandery, No. 30; he has been Recorder of the Commandery ever since its organization. Mr. ROGERS was married, October 8, 1857, in Walshville, to Martha J. DESHANE, born in Montgomery County January 15, 1838, daughter of Eli DESHANE; they have had the following children: Laura I., Charlie and Mabel - Laura and Mabel being deceased.
Extracted 19 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 165-166.
