Rodgers, James M. – d. 1877

RODGERS

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 10/6/2010 at 11:45:30

RODGERS – In Newton, on the 24th inst. of pulmonary hemorrhage, James M. Rodgers, aged 34 years.
About four days previous to his death Mr. Rodgers came into our office with locals, announcing a new business partnership into which he had just entered, as published in our last issue. He was then in better spirits than we had seen him for a long time, and apparently in as good health as he had enjoyed for many months. On Wednesday, the 22d, he was suddenly attacked with violent hemorrhage of the lungs, but rallied from its effects so that he felt able on Friday morning to walk to his place of business. On reaching his home he had another attack, from the effects of which he died within a few minutes. His death though not wholly unexpected, was a great shock to his family and the whole community. The disease from which he suffered so severely during the past few years, was contracted at the siege of Atlanta, in 1864. Since that time he has not seen a perfectly well day, though he has been an industrious worker and has filled offices of trust and responsibility.
The deceased was born in Pendleton, Madison county, Indiana, and removed with his father’s family to Newton in the year 1854. Here he attained the years of his manhood and became a useful and honored citizen. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 13th Iowa Infantry, with which he served three years, and afterward enlisted as a veteran and served till the close of the war. His surviving comrades testify to his fidelity and courage as a soldier, and by them he was held in high esteem. He really sacrificed his life in the service of his country, for it was by the rigors of a soldier’s life that his constitution was broken and a fatal disease contracted.
Upon his return to civil life, in 1865, he was elected sheriff of Jasper county, in which office he served two terms with perfect fidelity to all the trusts reposed in him. In 1874 he was appointed postal clerk on the C. R. I. & P. R. R., in which position he served about a year, but was obliged to resign on account of an attack of hemorrhage of the lungs. Since that time he has been able to attend to but little active business, but he kept about persistently and was ready to do according to his strength. The care of the family devolved largely upon him after the death of his father, in December 1874, and it is no formal eulogy when we say that it was here in the home, as a son and a brother, that he exhibited the noblest traits of a manly character.
The home life is really the standard by which all character is to be measured, and it is by this test that James M. Rodger is found to have been worthy to be adjudged a true and noble man. In the hearts of all those who made up the home circle, his memory is enshrined and will be cherished as that of one who lived and labored for those he loved.
The funeral services were held in the M. E. Church, Rev. D. H. Rogan, assisted by Rev. J. H. Magofflin, officiating. The Masonic fraternity, including the Knights Templar, of which the deceased was an honored member, were out in full force and conducted the solemn rites of the order at the grave. In addition to the Newton Lodge and Commandery, there were large delegations present from the Lodges of Kellogg, Monroe and Prairie City. In addition to the Masonic fraternity, the surviving members of his military company marched in order in the procession, and also very large number of citizens of town and county, all classes joining to show respect to the memory of a good man. It was altogether one of the largest funerals, in respect of numbers attending, that was ever held in Newton.
Source: Newton Journal; August 30, 1877, page 3