Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 468
THOMAS W. ROGERS, miller of West Liberty, Iowa and one of its prominent citizens, was born in 1826, in Lancaster County, Pa., and is a son of Alexander and Hannah ( Whitaker ) Rogers, who were also natives of the Keystone State. The mother was of English descent, while the father was born of Irish parentage, and was a carpenter by trade. When our subject was fourteen years of age his parents removed to Beaver County, Pa., and at New Brighton Thomas learned the miller's trade, which has been his life work. He remained in that city until 1856, when, deciding to try his fortunes in the West, he emigrated to Iowa City, Iowa, where he followed the milling business until 1871, at which time he came to West Liberty. In company with C. Wiesflog he purchased the mill which he has since continued to operate. It is run by steam, has steam presses,and does a general milling business. The mill is located near the central part of town, situated conveniently near the depot and switch-track, and has a capacity for fifty barrels per day, and a grinding capacity for chop feed of from 150 to 200 bushels daily. Mr. Rogers is a thorough master of his business, and well deserves the liberal patronage which he receives.

In 1849 at the discovery of gold in California, Mr. Rogers started for his Pennsylvanian home for the scene of great excitement. Equipped with a mule team he made an overland journey, traveling continuously for ninety-six days, and after reaching his destination engaged in mining and ranching until 1855, when he returned to his home by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City. During the late war he served as Commissary Clerk at Nashville for one year, though he was never a regularly enlisted soldier.

In 1858 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Miss Cilicia Erwin, who was born in New Brighton. Pa., and is a daughter of James and Hannah Erwin, the father a native of Loudoun County, Va., and the mother of New Jersey. By their union three children have been born: Joseph H. who is the station agent on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad at West Liberty; and Charles E., and Arthur, both at home. Since coming to West Liberty, by his honorable, upright course of life, Mr. Rogers has won many friends, and they have manifested their confidence in him by electing him to various official positions. He has served as Mayor of the city for two years, has been a member of the City Council, and has acted as a member of the School Board. Politically, he is a member of the Republican party, while socially, he belongs to the I.O.O.F. He is a man who takes great interest in the public affairs of the community, and is well informed on all the leading issues of the day, and receives the highest respect of his friends and acquaintances.

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