My Genealogy Hound

HIRAM ROGERS. For a period of more than sixty years this pioneer settler of Cass County has resided on section 1, Milton Township, where he has a finely-improved farm, embellished with suitable buildings and containing modern conveniences. He enjoys the distinction of being one of the oldest citizens of the county, being now (1893) ninety-one years of age, and is hale and hearty, notwithstanding his great age. The citizens of the community hold him in the highest regard, and he enjoys the esteem of all who know him. He has been a witness of the many improvements in the county, and has himself been a valuable factor in bringing about these changes. It has been his privilege to see villages spring up where once the savage Indian roamed, and fertile farms take the place of dense, impenetrable forests; and to him and such as he belongs the honor of making the wilderness to bloom and blossom as the rose.

Born in Morris County, N. J., January 16, 1802, our subject is the son of Jabez and Elizabeth (Rogers) Rogers, natives of New Jersey. The paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Rogers, was born in New Jersey, of English-Welsh descent, and served in the War of the Revolution. The maternal grandfather, John Rogers, was also born in New Jersey and was descended from English and Welsh ancestry. The father of our subject served with valor in the ranks during the War of 1812. He was a farmer by occupation and a weaver by trade, and followed these callings until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-six. His wife died when about sixty.

Hiram was the eldest of a family of thirteen children, and was between four and five years old when he accompanied his father to New York, locating in Steuben County on a farm in the woods. After residing there seven years he accompanied the family to Gorham Township, Ontario County, N. Y., where he worked land on shares and remained about four years. After the close of the War of 1812 he accompanied his father to Niagara County and located twelve miles east of Lewiston, N. Y., residing there about thirteen years. In 1831 he came to Michigan, where his parents died, his father in Genesee County and his mother in Kalamazoo County.

At the age of twenty-one, while residing in Niagara County, N. Y., Mr. Rogers left home and worked on a farm in the town of Cambria for seven months, receiving $10 for two months, and $12 per month for the remainder of the time. By carefully saving his money he was enabled to buy one hundred acres on the Holland Purchase, and during the six months he resided thereon he cleared between thirty and forty acres of heavy timber land. Leaving that place, he came to Michigan in 1831 and entered land where he has since resided. It was then unbroken, raw prairie, and his first work was to erect a small log cabin for the reception of his family. Gradually he made other improvements, and at last had the satisfaction of seeing the farm take rank among the best in the county.

In 1826 Mr. Rogers married Miss Lora Vina Worden, who was born in New York in 1809 and died after having become the mother of a large family of children. In the order of birth they were: Rosetta T., Jabez, Sarah, Margaret, Ruby, Martha, Mary, Caroline, Hiram, Josephine and Francis. All are now deceased with the exception of Martha, the wife of Prof. R. H. Tripp, who resides in Kalamazoo; and Josephine, who is the wife of W. I. Griffith. On October 6, 1868, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary Ann Smith, who was born August 24, 1831, seven miles below Kingston, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Her father, Abel Gates, was a native of the same place as herself, while her mother, Polly Gates, was born in Connecticut. Mrs. Rogers is the eldest surviving member of her father’s family. Of her union with Mr. Rogers two sons were born: Schuyler C., who was born September 8, 1869; and Carl F., whose birth occurred October 20, 1872.

In the days of the Whig party Mr. Rogers cast his ballot in its behalf, and after the organization of the Republican party he became one of its most ardent supporters, but for some years past he has affiliated with the Prohibitionists. He is a strong adherent of the temperance cause and is a very abstemious man, never using liquor or tobacco in any form. A member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he has served as Class-leader, Steward and Trustee, and has for many years filled the position of Superintendent of the Sunday-school, being an active worker in the cause of religion.