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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lee County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Henry Preston Rodgers. In chronicling the names of the prominent citizens of Lee County, that of Henry Preston Rodgers is accorded an enviable position. He is the son of Ebenezer and Parmelia (Jackson) Rodgers, his birth occurring in Madison County, Ill., in March, 1844. Ebenezer Rodgers was a native of Wales, born in 1790, and in 1820 he came to America, locating in Howard County, Mo., where two years later he was united in marriage with Miss Jackson. During their residence in that State three children were given them, but in 1839 they moved to Illinois, where seven children were reared, making a family of ten born to their union. Mrs. Parmelia Rodgers, of English descent, first saw the light of day in Kentucky, in 1805, and after a long and consistent Christian life as a devoted wife and mother, she passed to her eternal rest, on Wednesday, March 28, 1882, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. Rodgers, Sr., though of Welsh parentage, was of English birth, and in 1818, being prompted by missionary zeal, came to America, locating in Kentucky, which presented a wide field for his labors. His was a grand and noble work, and his efforts for the advancement of Christianity and education have left imprints for good that will remain through time and eternity. In 1823, five years after his arrival in the United States, he organized a Baptist Church, in Capt. John Jackson’s neighborhood, and subsequently became its pastor. Capt. Jackson, the father of Mrs. Rodgers, was by occupation a farmer, but entered the War of 1812, commanding a company of volunteers (Kentucky). In 1834 Rev. Mr. Rodgers moved with his family to Madison County, Ill., where he presided for a period of two years as pastor of the Baptist Church. At the expiration of that time he left the pastorate and devoted his time to missionary and association efforts throughout the State. After a long and well-spent life, he passed away, at his home in Upper Alton, Ill., at the age of sixty-four years. Henry Preston Rodgers, the subject of this sketch, received the rudiments of his education in the subscription schools of Madison County, Ill., and matriculated in the Shurtliff College in 1861, completing the junior year in 1863. In September, 1863, he entered the scientific department of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), and completed his education one year later. After leaving Ann Arbor Mr. Rodgers went to Memphis, but soon located in Bolivar, Tenn., where he engaged in merchandising. Finding that venture to be unsuccessful, however, he closed out his business, and accepted a position as salesman with a large and prominent firm, which he filled with credit and satisfaction. In 1870 he came to Arkansas, selecting Marianna as his place of abode, and again embarked in the mercantile business, his efforts being liberally rewarded. For ten years he was recognized as one of the most enterprising and progressive of Marianna’s citizens, only retiring from business at that time to devote his attention to planting. He now owns 6,000 acres of as fine farm land as can be found in Arkansas, and 1,200 of this are in a high state of cultivation, the principal crops being corn and cotton. The soil in favorable seasons yields about one bale of cotton to the acre. The year 1877 witnessed Mr. Rodgers’ marriage to Miss Mary Virginia Upshaw, a native of Arkansas, and a daughter of James R. and Bettie W. (Epps) Upshaw. To their union two children were born: Henry Preston, Jr. (born June 10, 1878), and Mary Lucile (born December 24, 1879). Mrs. Rodgers died in 1887, a lady of great culture and refinement, and a favorite among her wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In politics Mr. Rodgers is a Democrat, and in 1883 he received the election to the State legislature, being re-elected in 1884. He holds a membership in the Episcopal Church, as did also his estimable wife. That he is popular is proven beyond a doubt, by the respect and confidence reposed in him by the entire people.

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This family biography is one of 104 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Lee County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Lee County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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