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Biographies | 1896 Bios

JAMES HENRY ROGERS, a leading banker of Guthrie Center, Iowa, is a native of Essex county, New York, born on the 22d of February, 1844. His parents, Lorenzo N. and Sarah E. (Newton) Rogers, are of English descent, and were born in Vermont. By their marriage, which was celebrated in the Green Mountain State, they became the parents of four children, but only one son and a daughter reached maturity. The latter, Hester A., is now the wife of J. F. McLuen, a resident of Des Moines, and a minister of the Baptist Church. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the war of 1812 and served in the defense of Plattsburg, New York, while the maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, aiding the Colonies in their struggle for independence.

When about six years of age James H. Rogers removed with his parents to St. Lawrence county, New York, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education in the St. Lawrence Academy. After his graduation he began life on his own account as a teacher, which position he followed for some ten years. For three years he pursued the study of law at Potsdam, New York, but never entered upon its practice. In 1870 he arrived in Guthrie county, Iowa, locating at Guthrie Center, where he has since made his home.

For four years Mr. Rogers served as County Recorder, holding that office from 1874 until January, 1879, and was also Deputy County Auditor for two years. On leaving the office of Recorder, he bought his present interest in the Center Bank, a private banking institution of Guthrie Center, and in the administration of the monetary affairs of the institution is associated with H. K. Dewey. This is the oldest bank in Guthrie county, having been established in 1872, and is also one of its most solid financial concerns. It transacts a general banking business, receiving deposits, loaning money, making collections, etc. Mr. Rogers gives his attention largely to the abstract and real-estate business, owning a complete set of abstract books of all lands and town lots in Guthrie county, arid these being corrected monthly.

On the 10th of January, 1875, was celebrated 'the marriage of Mr. Rogers and Miss Laura C. Taylor, a native of Hancock county, Illinois, where she resided until about the age of fourteen years, when she accompanied her sister, Mrs. J. A. Lyons, to Guthrie county. Three children have came to bless this union of our subject and his wife, namely: Edward William and Edith Hester, twins, and Irene Taylor, -all still under the parental roof. The two elder are now students at Grinnell, Iowa.

Politically Mr. Rogers is a stanch Republican; and a recognized leader in the councils of his party. He attends the Presbyterian Church, of which his two elder children are members, and for ten years has been a Trustee of the church, giving liberally of his means toward the support of the gospel. He is prominently identified with every interest for the welfare or upbuilding of the community, and by all who know him is held in the highest confidence and esteem.

A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company 1896, pg. 480.

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