Monroe County Biographical sketches R

The following biographical sketches were originally published in the History of Rochester and Monroe County New York From the Earliest Historic Times to the Beginning of 1907 by William F. PECK, The Pioneer Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1908.

See the indexes for a complete listing of all of the biographical sketches included in this two volume work.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

John REEVE

The death of John REEVE, which occurred November 14, 1906, was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends, as well as to the members of his own household, for he had from an early day been closely identified with the agricultural life of Monroe county, where his entire life was passed, and he was therefore widely and favorably known. A native of this county, he was born in Henrietta, February 27, 1832.

His father, William REEVE, was born in London, England, in 1796, and upon his emigration to America in 1816 he settled in Henrietta and after a residence of ten years there purchased a farm. He arrived here at the time when Monroe county was being surveyed and assisted in this work, this being previous to the time the canal was finished. He was married in this county to Miss Anna TAYLOR, who was also born in England, in 1804, and it was at the time of his marriage that he made his first purchase of land and established a home on the frontier. He was throughout a long period connected with the development and improvement of this section of the state and as his financial resources permitted he added to his landed possessions from time to time until at the time of his death, in 1857, he was the owner of three hundred acres. His family numbered eleven children.

John REEVE spent the period of his boyhood and youth on the home farm, assisting his father in the operation of the homestead property, and he pursued his studies in the country schools and in the academy. It was about 1870 that he took up his abode in Pittsford township, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and was engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He made all of the improvements upon his place, including a good house and substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and eventually made his property one of the best in the county. He carried on the work of the farm until about 1900, when his health failed, after which he lived practically retired until his death, which occurred November 14, 1906. He was a man of domestic tastes and habits, loved his home and his family, and it is in the household that his loss is most deeply felt.

It was on the 17th of February, 1870, in Hillsdale county, Michigan, that Mr. REEVE was united in marriage to Miss Jane H. PROUDLEY, who was born in Caledonia, New York, a daughter of Charles PROUDLEY. Their home was blessed with one son and one daughter : Thomas J., who died December 12, 1897; and Mrs. Ida BURNS, who with the widow still survives. The family are communicants of the Episcopal church and are highly respected in the community in which they reside.

Joseph B. ROE

Joseph B. ROE is now living retired on the Roeside farm in the town of Penfield, Monroe county, after many years of active and successful connection with business interests. He was born upon the farm where he now resides June 27, 1842. His father, Joseph Brewster ROE, SR., was born in Long Island, New York, and in Butler, Wayne county, this state, was married to Charlotte WISNER, a daughter of Moses WISNER, who was one of the early settlers and pioneer farmers of Wayne county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. ROE were born seven children but the subject of this review is the only one now living. The father followed farming in Wayne county until 1835, when he removed with his wife and two oldest children to Monroe county, purchasing the farm Roeside, upon which his son and namesake is now living. In 1845 he removed to the village of Penfield, where he engaged in the milling business for some years. He then removed to Rochester, where he remained for three years, after which he returned to the old farm, where he died in March, 1858, at the age of forty-eight years. His widow long survived him and died at the home of our subject in Detroit, Michigan, in 1891, at the age of seventy-eight years.

In the common schools of Penfield township, Joseph B. ROE, of this review, acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in the Penfield Academy. For five years following the time when he became twelve years of age he spent the summer months in taking cream to a confectioner in Rochester and in carrying other market products to that city. At the age of sixteen he was left fatherless and the management of the home farm devolved upon him and his older brother Jerome. When eighteen years of age he was obliged to abandon farm work on account of ill health and went to Brantford, Ontario, where he entered the employment of an uncle, being engaged in the selling of fanning mills to the farmers. After a few months, however, he returned to Monroe county and secured employment in MOULSON'S provision store in Rochester, but after a brief period he identified himself with the nursery business, with which he was connected for three years, delivering and selling nursery stock. For the succeeding three years Mr. ROE conducted the old farm, as his brother had married and left the place.

On the 4th of June, 1867, occurred the marriage of our subject to Miss Maria ALLEN, of Williamson, Wayne county, New York. For a few years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. ROE resided on the home farm and then went to Michigan, where Mr. ROE became a member of the firm of F. W. BEERS & COMPANY in the publication of county atlases. In 1874 he removed to Portland, Michigan, where for fourteen years he was one of the firm of MAYNARD, ALLEN & COMPANY, bankers of that city. He also engaged in general grain and produce business for six years as a member of the firm of MAYNARD & ROE, and on the expiration of that period he purchased his partner's interest and continued in the grain business alone for eight years, carrying on a more extensive trade in grains and produce than any other dealer in that portion of the state. He would buy anything which the farmer raised and could sell him anything he wanted to buy. In 1875 he became a member of the Detroit Board of Trade, but in 1887 he had to abandon the grain business on account of ill health. He never expected to be again able to enter commercial circles, but after recuperating in northern Michigan for a year he sold out his banking interests and removed to Detroit, where he became actively engaged in the grain and commission business, becoming one of the best known representatives in the state; in fact, the name of J. B. ROE was known throughout Michigan and he met with excellent success in his undertakings, but in June, 1900, he retired from business, owing to ill health, and returned to the farm. He leases his land, but still makes his home at the old place, in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. In politics Mr. ROE is a democrat, and socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to both the blue lodge and chapter.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. ROE have been born two children : Helen Orrena, who died in 1880, at the age of five years; and J. Etheleen, who is the wife of Herbert F. CASWELL, of Portland, Michigan. Mr. CASWELL is one of Portland's successful business men, being manager and treasurer of the VERITY CASWELL table manufactory of Portland. Mrs. CASWELL is of a literary turn of mind, being prominent in all church work and president of the literary organization of the place. They have two children : Orrena Frances and Mildred Roe.

Mrs. ROE was born August 6, 1845, in Williamson, Wayne county, New York. Her father was Peters ALLEN, a prosperous farmer of that place, having removed there in his early manhood from Dutchess county, New York. He died at the age of fifty-five. Mrs. ROE'S mother bore the maiden name of N. Jane MAYNARD and was a native of Williamson, New York. She gave her hand in marriage to Mr. ALLEN in 1840 and survived him many years, passing away in 1906, at Roeside, the home of Mr. and Mrs. ROE, at the advanced age of eighty-five. They had but two children, their son being Captain E. M. ALLEN, a banker living in Portland. Mrs. ROE received her early education in the common schools of the township, passing from there to Marion Collegiate Institute, Wayne county, New York, and then to Brockport Collegiate Institute, Monroe county, New York, graduating from the latter in 1864 as valedictorian of her class. From that time until her marriage she was a popular teacher. Upon moving to Portland, Michigan, she became one of the charter members organizing the Ladies Literary Club of the place and was its first president. Her influence was widely felt in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which she and Mr. ROE belonged, she being president of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society and organizer of the Mission Store under the management of the Ladies Aid Society of said church. Upon moving to Detroit she still continued her church work, having a bible class of young married people, numbering seventy-two, and also for many years was corresponding secretary of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of Detroit district. Voluntarily she took up hospital visitation and for three years hardly missed her weekly visits to the patients, carrying flowers and reading to them. For many years Mr. and Mrs. ROE had a summer home at Bay View in northern Michigan, the Chautauqua of the west, and had been identified with the literary and educational work there. In 1897 Mrs. ROE accepted the position of field secretary of the Bay View Reading Circle and was instrumental in organizing a large number of literary circles in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Upon retiring to the old homestead, Roeside, she was made secretary of New York State and many circles in the state look to her as their organizer. Mrs. ROE is at this writing an invalid, but, by her pen, still continues to some extent her literary work.

Clinton ROGERS

The people of Rochester are to be congratulated upon the character of such elevation and purity of purpose and such devotion to the highest and best interests of the state as has been exhibited in the private and public life of Clinton ROGERS. No one has ever been more respected in the city nor ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people, or better deserved such respect and confidence. Although he has reached the age of seventy-four years, he is still the guiding spirit in extensive business interests which have been developed from the smallest possible beginnings to extensive proportions.

A native of Massachusetts, Clinton ROGERS was born on the 3d of December, 1833, in the town of Wales, in Hampden county, his parents being Joel and Mary (SHAW) ROGERS. The family numbered four sons and two daughters, of whom three sons are yet living, Clinton ROGERS being the youngest. His great-grandfather, as an American soldier, fought at Bunker Hill and at Lexington.

Clinton ROGERS acquired his education in the common schools and entered business life as a salesman in his brother's store in Wales, where he remained for two years, when he removed to Worcester, Massachusetts, at the age of twenty years. He also spent two years in business in that city, on the expiration of which period he came to Rochester, where he arrived at the age of twenty-two. Here he was first employed as clerk for WILDER, CASE & COMPANY, for two years, and at the age of twenty-four established a carpet store, together with J. H. HOWE, under the firm name of HOWE & ROGERS, in March, 1857. They had practically no capital at the outset of their career as merchants and when they secured their first bill of goods from the LOWELL CARPET COMPANY, this firm's representative remarked that the company had never extended credit on the basis of so small capital before, but would in this instance on account of the two partners' splendid recommendations from previous positions. In the early days of their enterprise they employed three men. The extent and growth of the business is indicated by the fact that their employes [sic] now number between seventy and one hundred, so that their business has increased more than tenfold. Their store has always been located on State street near Main, and in the beginning they occupied a store thirty by one hundred feet. Now they have the entire building at Nos. 80 and 82 State street, utilizing five stories for the sale of their goods, beside having two large warehouses. About ten years ago the firm was incorporated and some stock sold to a few of the old employes [sic] as a reward for long service. The relation between the original partners continued until about four years ago, when Mr. HOWE died. His son has taken an active interest in the business since his father's death, but Clinton ROGERS, although now seventy-four years of age, attends daily to the conduct of the business and is as active as in former years. He has never regarded any point as too inessential to claim his time and attention if it would contribute to the growth and upbuilding of the business, and year after year he has wrought along modern lines until today he is at the head of one of the most important commercial interests of western New York. Business has been secured in accordance with old time tried maxims such as "there is no excellence without labor" and "honesty is the best policy." Mr. ROGERS has not confined his attention alone to the carpet trade, but on the contrary has enlarged the sphere of his activity, and his labors and influence have been potent elements in the successful conduct of various other business concerns. For over forty years he has been a director of the TRADERS NATIONAL BANK and financially interested in may other corporations.

On the 23d of August, 1876, Mr. ROGERS was married to Miss Fannie C. ROCHESTER, a granddaughter of colonel Nathaniel ROCHESTER, the founder of the city, and daughter of Henry E. ROCHESTER. Four children were born unto them: Fannie Beatrice, at home; Alice Montgomery, the wife of Dr. Joseph ROBY; Rochester Hart, who has recently graduated from Harvard Law School; and Helen, at home.

Mr. ROGERS is a very prominent, active and influential member of St. Luke's Episcopal church. He has been a vestryman for twenty years and warden for nine years, and has been a most liberal contributor to the church and various charities. He is also deeply interested in the cause of education and puts forth earnest, effective and far-reaching efforts for the promotion of church and educational interests. His political support is given to the republican party. He is identified with various civic and social organizations of Rochester, and was president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1905, at which time he succeeded in putting through the smoke ordinance. He was one of the founders of the Chamber of Commerce and from the beginning has been most active in its work toward introducing and upholding all those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. He has been president of the Rochester Historical Society for the years 1906 and 1907. He likewise belongs to the Genesee Valley Club, the Whist Club and the Country Club and is greatly interested in golf. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and in his life has exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft.

Mr. ROGERS owns and occupies a fine residence at the corner of Spring and South Washington streets, where he has lived for thirty-one years. He owns a fine collection of steel engravings, which he purchased in France during one of his trips abroad. He has visited various foreign countries as well as points of interest in his native land, gaining that broad knowledge and culture which only travel can bring. No one more greatly deserves the somewhat hackneyed but always expressive title of a self-made man and as a result of his close application and energy actively applied he is today one of the most prosperous citizens of Rochester. His name is synonymous with honesty, and his word is as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal. His methods in every relation bear the closest investigation. He stands as a high type of American manhood because of native intellectual force, of well developed talents, of keen insight, of strong purpose and of unfaltering determination. His sturdy integrity and honesty of principle have led him to despise all unworthy or questionable means to secure success in any undertaking or for any purpose, or to promote his own advancement in any direction.

Frederick S. ROGERS

Frederick S. ROGERS, secretary and treasurer of the JOHN SIDDONS COMPANY, conducting a roofing and sheet metal business of large proportions in Rochester, was born May 21, 1847, in the city which is yet his place of residence. He is of English lineage, his father, Henry T. ROGERS, having been born in London. Emigrating to the United States in his youth, he came direct to Rochester and in his manhood attained considerable distinction as a prominent contractor and builder and as a man active and influential in affairs of the city. He served as alderman of the third ward for many years and his official labor was of a character that promoted general progress and development, the city benefiting by his co-operation and his practical methods. He died in 1878, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza STILES, and was also a native of England, passed away when her son Frederick was but four years of age.

As a student in a private school Frederick S. ROGERS acquired his early education, which he continued in Myron G. PECK'S school. When his textbooks were put aside he entered the employ of the EVENING EXPRESS OF ROCHESTER, taking charge of the mailing department, where he continued for six years. He next became connected with POLLOCK & WEAVER, hardware merchants, as bookkeeper, and after some years entered the employ of John SIDDONS as confidential clerk and bookkeeper in 1878. His business worth and capacity being proven, he was admitted to the firm and has since been active in the management of a business which has had a continuous existence in Rochester since 1852. It was established in that year by John SIDDONS and is the representative house roofing and sheet metal work, including all kinds of cornice work, ventilating systems and the manufacture of metallic burial caskets, together with the manufacture of boiler breeching and smoke stacks. In 1878 Mr. SIDDONS was joined by Charles and John O. VOGEL. In 1889 the business was incorporated under the name of THE JOHN SIDDONS COMPANY, with Mr. SIDDONS as president and treasurer; Charles VOGEL, vice president; Frederick S. ROGERS, secretary; and John O. VOGEL, superintendent. The founder of the business, John SIDDONS, died in August, 1890, after a most active, successful and honorable career. At this time the following officers were chosen: Charles VOGEL, president; John O. VOGEL, vice president and superintendent; and Frederick S. ROGERS, secretary and treasurer. At the death of John O. VOGEL, in December, 1894, Mr. ROGERS was elected vice president, secretary and treasurer. The last change in officers was made in 1903, when Charles VOGEL was elected president; Frederick S. ROGERS, secretary and treasurer; and Theodore J. VOGEL, vice president and superintendent. The trustees are Charles VOGEL, Frederick S. ROGERS, Theodore J. VOGEL and Louis C. VOGEL, who own all of the stock - fifty thousand dollars paid in full. The enterprise was at first located on Main street and removed to the present location in 1890, occupying a large building, which the company owns, at Nos. 61, 63 and 65 North Water street. Both steam and water power is used and employment is furnished to fifty men.

In 1872 Mr. ROGERS was married to Miss Emma L. BENNETT, a daughter of Stephen D. N. BENNETT, for many years owner of the BENNETT FOUNDRY. Unto Mr. and Mrs. ROGERS were born three children, but one is now deceased and Mrs. ROGERS died in 1899. The living son, Louis Charles, is now with his father in business. He was born June 16, 1875, and was educated in the public schools and is regarded as an enterprising young business man. He belongs to Valley lodge, No. 109, F. & A.M., and of all branches of Masonry. The daughter, Mrs. Edmund M. ALLING, is also a resident of Rochester.

Mr. ROGERS has attained high rank in Masonry, being a member of Valley lodge, No. 109, F. & A.M.; Hamilton chapter, No. 62, R. A. M., in which he has served as high priest and treasurer; Doric council, No. 19, R. & S. M.; Monroe commandery, No. 12, K. T., in which he has served as eminent commander; Rochester consistory, S. P. R. S.; Damascus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; and Lalla Rookh Grotto Veiled Prophets. He has also served as treasurer of the Masonic Club and belongs to the Order of Exempt Firemen. In politics he is a republican, giving support to the party on state and national questions, but often casts an independent ballot. He resides at No. 200 Adams street, where he is pleasantly situated in life. He has made a splendid record in Masonic circles, as a citizen and as a business man. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he nevertheless has a host of stanch friends who recognize and appreciate his genuine worth and admire him for what he has accomplished in the business world.

Captain George W. RUGGLES

A country can claim but one ruler, and the men who attain prominence in political circles are few, but the field of business is limitless and there is always room at the top. Captain RUGGLES is numbered among those who have gained distinction in the line of a chosen calling. He became known throughout the country as a builder of canoes, several of which have been prize winners in international contests, but he regards as his greatest achievement the invention of the RUGGLES ROTARY SNOW PLOW, now used throughout the United States and Canada, wherever heavy snows fall.

Mr. RUGGLES was born in Gaines, Orleans County, New York, November 24, 1837. His father, Martin RUGGLES, also a native of the Empire state, was a millwright and inventor. He married Nancy LANE, a native of Victor, New York, and they became the parents of two sons and four daughters, all of whom are yet living.

Captain RUGGLES of this review resided at the place of his nativity until his sixteenth year, when his parents removed to Kendall, Orleans county, where he remained until 1866. On the 20th of November of that year - his marriage day - he came to Charlotte, where he has since resided. His boyhood was spent on the farm and at work with his father at the millwright's trade. He also sailed on Lake Ontario to some extent and became thoroughly interested in the subject of navigation and in all kinds of fresh water craft. After removing to Charlotte he bought an interest in the schooner H.M. BALLOU and for five or six years was connected with her as a sailor as well as part owner. He then sold his interest, and entering the employ of the ROCHESTER AND CHARLOTTE IRON COMPANY, he sailed a barge for that firm for four or five years. In August, 1872, he bought the tug JASON PARKER, the first tug owned at Charlotte. In this he was associated with Captain NEWCOMB. After four years he sold his interest in that vessel and in company with A.G. YATES bought the tug Oneida, which he operated for about four years. He then ran the steamer Charlotte for two seasons and the City of Rochester for four years, which ended his life as a sailor.

Captain RUGGLES then turned his attention to canoe building, his first finished product in this connection being the Safronia for F.F. ANDREWS of Rochester, who wished to compete in the American Canoe Association meet held at Grindstone Island in 1884. This was the first canoe covered with smooth skin built and owned by the association, and the excellent part which she played in the meet revolutionized canoe building and brought Captain RUGGLES a number of orders for canoes of similar construction. The next racing canoe he built was the Eclipse, for Reginald BLAKE, of the Brooklyn Canoe Club, in 1888. It won first place in the trial races for the defense of the cup for the International Canoe Club. It was therefore chosen to race and defend the cup against Walter STEWART of England. The Eclipse took the first three pennants and won. This brought Captain RUGGLES a world-wide reputation and he was looked upon and recognized as the greatest canoe builder in the world. The Glenwood, which defended the same cup for the New York Canoe Club, was also built by Captain RUGGLES. He continued in canoe building for about eight years and among his products, in addition to the Eclipse, were the Una, Beta, Glenwood and Pioneer. It will thus be seen that he has given to the world some of its best racing canoes which have won fame for the country. In 1892 Captain RUGGLES built his first rotary snow plow and took out the first patent on the 4th of July, 1893. This plow is now used wherever heavy snow falls in the United Sates and Canada. It was first put into operation on the Charlotte and Rochester electric line in the winter of 1892 , at which time it was pushed by a car. The processes were very crude but Captain RUGGLES has continued the work of improvement and the snow plow is now a self-propeller. After a time he let out the manufacture to the PECKHAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY, of Kingston, New York, who now turn out about twenty-five of these snow plows each fall. It would be too expensive for suburban electric lines to operate in winter without this device for removing snow, and thus he has given to the world an invention of great and lasting value. He is now applying for a patent on an air motor for cooling cars, the motor being on top of the car and requiring very little room, the speed of the car making wind that runs the fan that is placed inside. He is also working on other inventions and his skill and ingenuity have gained him recognition as a prominent inventor.

On the 20th of November, 1866, Captain RUGGLES was married to Miss Ellen BLISS, a native of Kendall, New York, and a daughter of Edwin and Mary (SEYMOUR) BLISS, and a direct descendant of Miles STANDISH.

Captain RUGGLES has, at intervals, for twenty years been connected with the village government of Charlotte and was president of the village in 1895. He gave to it a public-spirited and progressive administration and his efforts in its behalf have been beneficial and far-reaching. With three exceptions he is the oldest resident of Charlotte in years of continuous connection with the city, having lived here for more than four decades. His fame, however, has gone abroad throughout the land in connection with what he has accomplished along industrial lines, and as an inventor. He is now a member of the American Canoe Association and is well known in club circles in New York city, where he has been the guest of honor at various receptions. He is to the canoe world what BURGESS and HERRESHOFF were to the yacht world, and those at all interested in canoeing are familiar with his name. He has made four racing canoes for Everett H. BARNEY, of Springfield Massachusetts, the inventor and manufacturer of BARNEY & BERRY skates who is the wealthiest citizen of Springfield and a warm personal friend of Captain RUGGLES, who has had many outings with him. The Captain also belongs to the International Congress of Inventors, while fraternally and socially he is connected with the Genesee Falls lodge, A.F. & A.M., and the Rochester Whist Club.

Hosea ROGERS

In the early part of the nineteenth century there was to be found a log house standing on the east side of the Indian trail on the exact spot where the DELOS POLLY house now stands on North St. Paul street in Rochester, directly opposite the old No. 8 school building, and it was in this primitive home that Hosea ROGERS was born on the 17th of January, 1812. He thus entered upon a life record which covered ninety-two years. In his old age he recalled many incidents of his birthplace and the noticeable features of its surroundings. The walnut trees still standing on the ground are the ones which his father preserved when he cleared the land. The little house, a story in height, was nearly square and was constructed of hewn logs, the cracks stuffed with sticks and clay, the broad door of rough boards furnished with wooden latch and string. Two square windows of glass lighted the interior when the door was closed, but in pleasant weather it stood wide open. There was a big fireplace to heat the little cabin and the floor was made of split logs until later a rough board floor was put down.

The parents in this pioneer home were Ezra and Betsey (BECKWITH) ROGERS, who came to Monroe county from Massachusetts about 1810. They were possessed of all sterling attributes which characterized the old-time New Englanders and were well qualified to take up the task of making for themselves and their family a home in the then wild Genesee country. Hosea ROGERS was the youngest of five children, the others being Diodat, Betsey, Ezra and Caroline.

During those early days, when Hosea ROGERS was an infant, the British fleet appeared at the mouth of the river and displayed its big guns. The men seized their arms and started for the lake, while the women and children fled into the woods. All that locality was then heavily timbered and Mr. ROGERS' early recollections were of primitive wilderness. Deer were still to be seen in the forest and even after Mr. ROGERS was old enough to hunt they were frequently killed. Bears, too, made raids upon the farmyard in search of pork. Indians were almost constantly about the neighborhood but occasioned little trouble to the settlers.

The educational advantages which Hosea ROGERS received were very limited. There was no schoolhouse in the neighborhood but the settlers determined to have a school and employed a young lady teacher. The first school was held in his father's house, the teacher boarding round among the pupils. The methods of instruction were oft-times crude but Mr. ROGERS made good use of his opportunities and as the years advanced learned many practical lessons of life. He also developed a strong and rugged constitution and at the same time became a man of indomitable perseverance and untiring energy. In those early days it was necessary in purchasing property to take the acknowledgement of a deed before a justice and then record it at Canandaigua, the county seat. As Mr. ROGERS' father had undisputed possession of his farm land the necessity of recording a deed was not apparent and as time slipped by the matter was forgotten. When several years had passed , however, and property of that locality was sold, Mr. ROGERS, Sr., lost possession of the place on which he had lived from 1809 and on which he had made many improvements. He then bought an acre and a half of land on Norton street, built a house and, being a furniture maker by trade, he put up a small shop and began the manufacture of chairs, his elder sons getting out the crude material form the surrounding woods, while he turned it into form on a small foot lathe. He then started for Canada with his product, where he disposed of his chairs. Soon after his return to New York his death occurred and the support of the family fell upon his elder sons, who were imbued with all the worthy characteristics of their race.

It was by his elder brothers that Hosea ROGERS was reared and during much of his life he was connected with the sea either in a direct or indirect way. At the age of fifteen years he went as a sailor upon the great lakes and for ten years followed that life, rising through all the grades to the position of master of a vessel. His brothers built and ran the first vessel plying between Rochester and Chicago and of this craft he had charge as captain in 1834. In his youth there were no steam tugs to tow vessels in windless waters and it was seldom a vessel could sail up and down the Genesee river without assistance from the shore. The first vessels therefore, on the river were towed up and down the stream by men who walked in the Indian path, but in time cattle took the place of the men on the tow path. Mr. ROGERS many a time walked over the trail with the vessel's cable over his shoulder and he lived to see the wonderful development in navigation. About 1825 his brothers built the schooner JEANETTE at Carthage landing, and it was one of the first vessels to pass from Lake Ontario into Lake Erie in the spring of 1830, Mr. ROGERS then being before the mast. In 1831 his brothers built the AURORA BOREALIS, of which he became captain in the spring of 1832. He was afterward in command of the INDIANA and in the fall of 1833 took charge of the JOHN GRANT, these two vessels also being owned by his brothers.

In talking of those days Mr. ROGERS once said: "In the fall of 1833 I took charge of the JOHN GRANT and I shall never forget my last voyage that season. We came down from Toronto the 12th of November in a pretty heavy gale which carried away my spanker boom; in the afternoon I ran into Charlotte for repairs. Happening to meet my brother Diodat on the pier he immediately put in a new spar and I left port about sundown with a fair wind, which soon began to increase. By ten o'clock we had our hatches battened down and every loose thing on deck was swept overboard. The gale became terrific and we hardly expected to outlive it. Suddenly there was a cry that the heavens were falling as the great dome above us was filled with shooting stars. We had no intimation of the auroral display and coming as it did at an hour when every nerve was strained and every sense alive to the dangers of the elements, the scene was particularly impressive. The shower lasted several hours, if I remember correctly, but at no instance during its occurrence did I dare cease my vigilance and the exercise of my greatest skill to keep the vessel in her course. We battled with the elements and watched the unprecedented fall of stars until the morning of the 13th when daylight ended the wonderful display." Captain ROGERS also made an early trip to Chicago by way of the lakes from Buffalo, landing there when the western metropolis was a frontier town, old Fort Dearborn still commanding the mouth of the creek, while Indians were still as numerous as white people. In 1836, Captain Rogers purchased a farm of eighty-five acres in what is now the town of Irondequoit and in that year was married and settled on his farm. which remained his home from that time until his death. Later he sailed for two years, but returned home to take charge of his farm.

Soon after locating thereon he became interested in the building of sailing vessels, for which business his long experience upon the lake well fitted him, as he had gained a thorough knowledge of all kinds of sailing craft as well as the laws that governed inland sailors. When he entered the field of boat building he was therefore well qualified to meet the requirements of the times and he built in all fourteen vessels, some at Charlotte and others in Ohio and Michigan. During all of these years, however, he continued to operate his farm. The Captain was also actively identified with the business interests of Rochester until the 1st of January, 1902. In 1896 he became interested in the PHELPS & ROGERS LUMBER COMPANY on Warehouse street, which does an extensive business. This company was incorporated in 1901 with Captain ROGERS as president, and he filled that position for one year or until the 1st of January, 1902, when he resigned, although he continued his connection with the company up to the time of his demise. He also owned the site occupied by the lumberyard and had other business and residence property in the city. Up to the last he possessed great strength of both body and mind and in connection with the operation of his farm attended to collecting his rents and other business in the city.

Captain ROGERS was married, in October, 1837, to Miss Polly VAN DUSEN, who died January 25, 1871, and on the 1st of May, 1873, he wedded Miss Mary J. LYON, of Albion, New York, who departed this life May 25, 1875. He was again married February 2, 1876, his third union being with Miss Asenath SCHOLFELD, of Port Colborne, Canada, whose grandparents came originally from England. Her grandfather, John SCHOFFELD, was a farmer by occupation and a veteran of the war of 1812. He died in 1866. Her father, James SCHOLFELD, was collector of Port Colborne, Ontario, for thirty-three consecutive years and died in 1889. Unto Captain ROGERS and his third wife were born five children: Polly M., at home; William H., of the Genesee lumberyard, who married Carrie D. ROLLISON and lives in Rochester; Luella A., Ezra S. and Alida J., all at home.

Captain ROGERS was a democrat in his political views. The family held membership in the Presbyterian church and the Captain's father was deacon of the first church of that denomination in this locality, it being located in that section of the city which was then called Carthage. The death of Captain ROGERS occurred on the 14th of December, 1904, when he had reached the very venerable age of ninety-two years. He was one of the first white children born in Rochester and in fact the city of today had at that time no existence, although the present boundary limits include the site of his birthplace. He lived to witness almost the entire growth and development of the city and for years figured as one of its prominent, influential and honored business men and residents. He had no aspiration for office but he did everything in his power to promote general growth and progress and his was a most useful and honorable life, winning for him the high regard, trust and good will of all of whom he came in contact. In fact his life history is inseparably interwoven with the history of Rochester and the development of Monroe county and no work of this character would be complete without an extended mention of him. He was one of the city's fathers and builders, acquainted with the story of its progress - an active factor in its growth. He possessed a strong nature, a kindly spirit, and his life was actuated by high, manly principles, and when he was called from this earth Rochester mourned the loss of one of its most valued and representative men.

Monroe County, New York History