Biography - James Rogers
James ROGERS, farmer, P. O. McVey, was born in Macoupin county, Ill., January 11, 1838; his early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of his native county afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. At the age of fourteen years, he was brought to Montgomery County by his parents, who settled on the same farm he is now residing on; he remained with his parents to the age of twenty-four, when he married and entered upon his career in life as a farmer, at which he still continues, having, by his industry and business habits, succeeded in accumulating ninety-five acres of land, all of which (eighty-five improved and ten acres of timber) is under a high state of cultivation; in 1878, upon his farm he erected, by his own design, a handsome frame cottage; upon his farm he makes stock-raising and all general crops a specialty; his farm is located mostly in Montgomery County, his timber land being in Macoupin County. The father of this gentleman, Benjamin K. ROGERS, was born in Greene County, Ky., January 30, 1815; emigrated with his parents to Montgomery County, Ill., in the fall of 1830; his life was spent in following the occupation of farming; was a man who stood high in the estimation of his fellow-men; at the time of his death, he was holding the office of School Treasurer, and, in Macoupin County, served several terms as Justice of the Peace, and as many terms in Montgomery County; he joined the M. E. Church in 1850, and, at the time of his death, was a faithful member; he lived to see all his children but one in the church; his death occurred December 11, 1868; during his life, he succeeded in accumulating a good arm, all of which he improved; his wife, and mother of our subject, was Lydia SNOW, who was born in Simpson County, Ky., May 26, 1816, and died January 19, 1850; she was the mother of eight children, seven of whom are now living, James ROGERS being the third child. He was married, in Greenfield, Greene County, November 13, 1861, to Eglantine, the daughter of Valentine and Louisa (MADISON) CASWELL; Mrs. ROGERS was born in Greene County, Ill., December 29, 1843; her father was born in Shawneetown, Ill., June 12, 1820; he has, during his life, been engaged in farming, but is now retired, and residing in Greenfield, Ill.; his wife was born in Ohio June 8, 1824, and died March 7, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. ROGERS are the parents of four children - Rollie B. is now the wife of Edgar MASSA, of Macoupin County; Dora M., Frederick O., Grant V., at home. Mr. ROGERS is now serving the people as School Director of the township; self and family are members of the Methodist Church; politically, he is identified with the Republicans.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 266-267.
