My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. JOHN RODGERS, retired, Allegheny, was born on Liberty street, in Pittsburgh, in 1815, a son of William and Martha Stranahon, and has always resided in this county. His parents came from Ireland prior to the revolutionary war. Of their eight children, Capt. John is the only one now living. The father died in 1820, and the mother in 1864, aged eighty-four years. They were members of the Covenanter Church, and came to this country with Rev. Black, D. D., subsequently their pastor, in consequence of the rebellion in Ireland. Capt. John Rodgers was married May 11, 1843, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Eliott) Esler, and there were born to them eight children: Jane E., Martha, Sarah R., Elizabeth B. (deceased wife of William H. Bradley), Annie C., Mary P. (wife of William A. Davis), James McAuley and Thomas E. Mr. Rodgers has followed various avocations in life, first having learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed until 1846, after which he followed raising sunken boats on the Ohio river. In 1850 he bought the steamer Arena, and became a river captain. He followed boating for seventeen years, for several years clearing out obstructions in the Ohio river under contract of the United States government. In 1872 he was engaged on the Allegheny Valley railroad as lost-car agent. During the late war he had charge of the transfer of specie between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Ohio, and is said to have transferred about nine tons of gold and silver. He has passed his threescore years and ten, and has retired from the active duties of life, and with his affectionate wife is taking his much needed rest, surrounded by his family of devoted children.