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Reuben F. Rogers

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Fayette county, was born in Vermont, October 17, 1837, and grew to maturity amid the romantic scenes of his native state, receiving the meanwhile superior scholastic training and devoting his early life to work on his father's farm. In 1858 he came to Iowa and, after spending a year in Winneshiek county, changed his residence to the county of Fayette, where he taught school the following winter, and in 1861, shortly after the breaking out of the Civil war, entered the army and gave one year to the service of his country. While at the front he took part in the campaign against Forts Henry and Donelson, and it was owing to exposure in the battle at the latter place that he became sick and was obliged to leave the ranks at the expiration of the period indicated. Returning to Fayette county, he resumed educational work and was thus engaged in Eden and other townships for about twelve consecutive years, earning an honorable reputation as an able teacher and doing much to introduce improved methods of instruction in the schools of this part of the state. Later, in connection with his school work, he operated during certain months of the year a threshing machine and followed the business at intervals until 1884, at which time he conducted the store for F. I. Luce.

He engaged in general merchandising in Waucoma from 1884 to 1886 with a Mr. W. D. Stafford, being now in business at Eden. Mr. Roger's influence on educational thought in Fayette county has been great, and, as indicated in a preceding paragraph, he stood high as a teacher and was instrumental in arousing an interest in behalf of public schools which led to beneficial results in after years. Since engaging in merchandising he has devoted his attention very closely to business and now has a well stocked store and a large and lucrative patronage, the village of Eden being the center of a fine section of country and a training point for the same. In politics, he is a Republican and a zealous supporter of the principles of his party, but he has never aspired to leadership nor disturbed his quiet by seeking the honors or emoluments of office. On February 6, 1864, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Clara C. Utter, whose parents, Ira and Mary Utter, came from Wisconsin to Fayette county in 1853 and settled in Auburn township, removing thence in 1855 to the township of Eden. Mr. Utter died some years ago in Windsor township, his wife afterwards moving to Kansas City, Missouri, and is now deceased. Mrs. Rogers and her sister, Mrs. Hattie Stafford, wife of Warren Stafford, are the only representatives of the family now living in the county of Fayette. They have three brothers in Kansas, viz; Albert W., George Emmett and Frank E. Utter, and one, Fred E., in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mrs. Rogers received a good education and commenced teaching at the early age of seventeen in the public schools of Fayette county. She continued this line of work until her marriage and was also similarly engaged for several years thereafter, achieving repute as a teacher, as is indicated by her retention for several consecutive terms in the same district.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, namely: Rollie, a carpenter and thresher, living at Eden; Rossie M., wife of F. I. Luce, whose sketch appears elsewhere in these pages; Willie N., editor of the Hawkeye Beacon; Leona C., principal of the Ft. Atkins high school, and Ray W., a talented musician and teacher of music, also a skilled engineer and an expert in almost any kind of mechanical work. All of these children are well educated and possess more than ordinary ability and, with the exception of W. N., all taught and met with gratifying success as trainers of the young.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Marsha Hyman