Biography - John E. Rogers
John
E. Rogers, of Tuscola, was born near Jacksonville, Morgan county, Illinois,
October 5, 1838, and is a son of John and Anna Beasley Rogers, who were
natives of Kentucky. John Rogers, his grandfather, born in Kentucky, was one
of the early pioneer Baptist preachers in the neighborhood of Jacksonville.
His maternal grandfather, Joseph Beasley, was probably a native of Virginia.
John E. Rogers, with his remarkable energy and foresight, has attained a prominence in his calling few men reach, and in the commercial growth and development of Douglas county, as to its lands, he stands uniquely alone. His enterprises have been great and have involved a stupendous amount of money in accomplishing them; but time has proven his good judgment and the great good he has done the county since he begun his work of dredging and draining. For eight years he has been a resident of Tuscola, and for twice that number of years has been extensively engaged in draining the county. In dredging, draining and regaining swamp lands his contracts extend as far south as New Orleans, where he has performed several contracts with the state of Louisiana and is still engaged in that section.
In 1859 Mr. Rogers married Angeline A. Brooker, of Sangamon county, Illinois, who is of English parentage. They have never had any children of their own, but have three adopted ones. Mr. Rogers is a Knight Templar in Masonry and bears an enviable reputation as a neighbor and friend, a courteous gentleman and a public-spirited citizen in the community in which he lives. In all his relations of life he has been honorable and just, scrupulously prompt in meeting his engagements and in performing his contracts.
Extracted 12 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from the Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois, published in 1900, pages 139-140.
