Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 132

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 132

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Richard Rodgers received his education in the old log school house near his home in Clear Lake Township and in boyhood worked on his father's farm. He later learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for many years in Spring- field and Riverton, and later engaged in farm- ing and gardening. For several years past lie has been retired form active life and owns a comfortable home in Riverton, where he has twenty-three acres of land. He. has been a hard-working man and success has attended his efforts to a gratifying degree. Ile is looked upon with respect and esteem by all who know him and has a large number of friends. In politics he is a Republican and has always been much interested in the development and prog- ress of his community. He was personally ac- quainted with Abraham Lincoln and a great admirer of this great and good man.

Mr. Rodgers was married (first) in Clear Lake Township, in December, 1864, to Mary Major, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1896. Her parents were early settlers of Sanga- man Connty and spent the remainder of their lives on a farm in Clear Lake Township. Four children were born to Mr. Rodgers and his wife: Louis, of Decatur, a train dispatcher for the Wabash Rallroad Company; Richard, in the coal business in Chicago; Edith F., of Detroit. Mich .; George, of New York City. Mr. Rodgers married (second), in 1905, Josie Allen, born in Riverton, whose parents were early settlers of Clear Lake Township and died ncar Riverton.

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Both Mr. Rodgers and his wife are well known in the vicinity of their present home, 'where their lives have been spent.

ROE, Edward Reynolds. (Vol. I, pp. 455-456.)

ROHRER, Andrew (deceased), wlio was a promluent farmer of Sectlou S, Ball Townshlp, Sangamon County, Ill., was a native of Wurtem- burg, Germany, born January 1, 1840, son of Andrew and Barbara (Blakely) Rohrer, both natives of Germany, and the former of Wnr- temburg. The father was a farnier by occupa- tion and emigrated to the United States in 1852, spending a short time in New Jersey and in Philadelphia, then came to Illinois, wliere he located on a farm. 1Ie died In Sangamon County and was buried in Chatham Cemetery and the mother, who died In Kansas, was buried at Leb- anon. They were parents of five children, three of whom now survive.

Andrew Rohrer received his education in Ger- many, and was twelve years of age at the time he came with his parents to America. After spending a short time in New Jersey, he accom- panied them to Philadelphia, and spent six years in that city. At the age of elghteen years he came with his parents to Sangamon Connty, and spent the remainder of his life In Ball Town- ship. At the time of the Civil War he did all the overseeing and labor for Col. Shoup's family until the Colonel returned from the War.

Mr. Rohrer was married In Springfield, Ill., by Rev. Barthing, February 12, 1867, to Mina Schmidt, who was born in Germany, April 20, 1847, danghter of Gottlieb Schmidt. She ac- companled her parents to America as a child. The Schmidt family landed at New York and soon afterward came to Sangamon Connty. Mrs. Rohrer died February 7, 1904, having borne her husband seven children, namely: Edward God- lob, born April 30, 1868; Emma Louise, Febru- ary 26, 1870; George William, February 11, 1872; Charles John, April 27, 1874; Benjamin, July 1, 1876; Carrie Ida, November 16, 1878; Francis, October 30, 1SSS. Three of these cliil- dren are married and fonr single, and all reside In Sangamon County except Mrs. Martin Wag- ner, of Chicago.

After his marriage Mr. Rohrer spent some time at the home of Col. Shonp, then engaged In farming in Ball Township, where he became a well-known and respected citizen. He was a Democrat in politics and served as Connty Com- missioner from 1895 until 1904. In religious views he was a Lutheran. He was a most In- dnstrious farmer and brought his thirty acres of land to a high state of cultivation. He won many friends and was highly esteemed by all. He died at hls home in Ball Township August 27, 1910, and his loss was genuinely monrned by all who kuew him.

ROKKER, Henry William .- Had it not been for the assistance of its forelgn-born citizens, it is doubtful if the North would have ended the

Civil War as soon as it did. Almost without exception, those who sought in this country freedom from the exactions prevailing in the lauds from which they came, took up arms In defense of their adopted country. One of the meu who gave valiant service iu this way was Heury Willlam Rokker, now living at No. 1020 West Lawrence avenue, Springfield. He was born at Arnhem, Holland, August 3, 1834, a son of John Peter aud Catherine (Gitsel) Rokker, the former born December 25, 1801, and the lat- ter in 1809, both being natives of Holland. The father was a haruessmaker.

Henry William Rokker grew np in Holland, where he attended the city schools of Arnhem, learning the Dutch, German, French and Eng- lish languages. Leaving school, he was taught the trade of bookbinding, and seeking a wlder field of endeavor, came to the United States in 1856. He worked at his trade in Dubuque, Iowa, Madison aud Milwaukee, Wisconsin, whence he went to New Orleans, but there spent only a short time, owing to climatic conditions of that city. Going north as far as St. Louis, he remained In that city until war was de- clared, wheu, in the early part of 1861, he en- listed in Company F, Third Missouri Volunteer Infantry. During his period of service, Mr. Rokker was stationed at Fulton, Mo., and was wounded four times, including Injuries in both arms, the shoulder and lungs, so that he was honorably discharged for serious disability. Retnruing to St. Louis he started in business for himself, as bookbinder, as soon as his health permitted, aud iu 1863 came to Springfield, to enter the employ of A. B. Mackenzy. He con- tinued with this establishment until the follow- ing spring, when the plant was destroyed by fire. Mr. Rokker once more established him- self In business, selling out to the Journal Com- pany, and becoming superintendent of the plant. After a year, he once more started in business for himself, and continued to operate his plant until 1910, when he sold his printing and book- binding establishment to Colonel Jefferson.

Mr. Rokker was married (first) In St. Lonis, In 1860, to Matilda Kowats, and they had three children: Henry, who dled In infancy ; Kate, who died at the age of thirty-three years; and Minnie, wife of Rev. William Uffenbeck. Mr. Rokker was married (second) to Rose M. Llebke of Chicago, In 1894. In addition to the family residence in Springfield, Mr. Rokker owns some farm lands in the West, and is In comfortable circumstances. The German Lutheran Church has in hlm a faithful and liberal member. During the many years he has resided In Spring- field, Mr. Rokker has been identified with those movements looking towards moral uplift and the betterment of civic conditions, and has been a most desirable citizen in every respect.

ROLL, John E. (Vol. I, p. 457.)

ROLLET, Andrew .- All civilized countries are represented in Sangamon County, and these men

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of foreign birth have become assimilated in our melting pot of nations until they are numbered among the reliable and substantiai citizens. Among those who are Americans by inclination, Andrew Roiiet, of No. 1702 South Tenth Street, Springfield, is as good a representative of the Franco-American as can be found in Sangamon County. He was born Jniy 20, 1835, being a son of Joseph and Christina (Hirsch) Roliet, both of France. The parents were farming peo- ple, who never left their native iand, where they died and are buried. Of the three sons and one danghter born to these parents, only the daughter, residing in France, and Mr. Rollet survive.

Growing up in France, Andrew Rollet secured a common school education, and worked for his father, but was not satisfied with existing con- ditions, so, when he was twenty-five years old, enlisted in the army, serving for seven years. When his enlistment expired he re-enlisted for three years. Mr. Roliet is proud of the fact that he fonght under Louis Napoieon, and par- ticipated in many famous battles of the em- pire. With the fall of Louis Napoleon, Mr. Roliet turned his eyes towards the land his countrymen a century before had helped to free, and arrived in New York, whence he came di- rect to Springfield, which has been his home ever since. Upon his arrivai he secured em- ployment on the construction of the State House, later entering the mines, where he met with an accident that compelled him to retire abont 1895.

In February, 1873, Mr. Roliet was married in Springfield to Mrs. Marie (Frye) Rosenzweig, born in Germany, Juiy 4, 1842, a daughter of Jacob Frye, who came to America in 1865, set- tiing in Springfield, where he lived until his death. The mother died in Germany, having borne her husband four sons and five daughters, fonr of whom survive: Adam, of Springfield; Anton, a farmer of Sangamon county ; Mrs. Anna Christman of Springfieid, and Mrs. Rollet. Mr. and Mrs. Rollet have had six children : Adam, a cigar mannfacturer; Anton, a cigar maker ; George, Andrew, Charles and Madaiine, at home. Jacob, of Springfield, and Anna, wife of Peter Penney, are haif brother and sister of the others. There are fourteen grandchildren in the family, as well as one great-grandchild. Ali reside in the city or vicinity. Mr. Rollet owns his home and other valuable property in Springfield. A consistent Catholic, he belongs to the Sacred Heart Parish. In politics he is a Democrat. Few men of his nationality have accomplished more than he, coming, as he did. at the age of thirty-five years, after ten years of hard service. His life has been an adven- turous one and his. recollections of stirring days in France are weli worth hearing.

ROOSA, Charies A .- Some of the most progres- sive and public-spirited men of Springfield are those who are retired from active life and are consequently able to study carefully the needs of the community. One of these men is Charies

A. Roosa, a retired real estate dealer, who was born in Sonth Lebanon. Ohio, March 21, 1838, a son of Matthew and Eunice (Mnllin) Roosa. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, came of "Pennsylvania-Dutch" stock, his father having emigrated to Pennsylvania from Germany, pre- vious to the Revolutionary War.

Charies A. Roosa received more than ordinary educational advantages, attending the common schools and iater taking a conrse in Antioch College and having the privilege of studying nn- der Horace Mann, then its President. After leaving coliege he learned mifiing and distilling in his father's mills, and iater embarked in the same line of business with, his brother-in-law, Joseph W. Rhodes. Meanwhile his father had died, leaving a large estate which was divided among his heirs. Having been married near Xenia, Greene County, Ohio, to Sarah V. De Haven, in 1865 he came to Iiiinois, establishing ' himself in a shipping and produce business at Mattoon, where he was able to recover from the heavy loss of $8,000 he and Charies DeHaven had snstained in a venture at Boonville, Mo. He and his wife's brother had established them- selves in a miliing business there in 1864, but all their investment was swept away in Price's famous raid. Owing to lack of educational ad- vantages for his children, he left Mattoon to go to Jacksonville, where he with his sons Frank and Edward, conducted a grocery, hard- ware and furniture business, and also bonght produce. In January, 1895, he came to Spring- field, and has been a heavy reaity operator there. Some of the finest buildings and resi- dences in the city were put up by him and his sons, including a five-story one of concrete. He is a Democrat in political convictions. Frater- nally he beiongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Knights and Ladies of Honor. Mr. and . Mrs. Roosa have had children as follows: Frank, of Springfield, married a Miss Hawkins; Doug- las, deceased ; Edward D., in the plumbing busi- ness in Springfield, married a Miss Schlagle, of Bloomington ; Bessie married H. C. Ogden, of Chicago; Deanie married Samuel B. Stewart. of Jacksonville, who was City Clerk for eight years. Mr. Roosa is one of the substantial men of Springfield, and to his and his sons' influence and public spirit many improvements are due. Frank, the eldest, has established a vulcanizing plant at three points-Springfield, Bloomington, and Decatnr.

ROSE, James A. (Vol. I, p. 459.)

ROSS, Hon. David .- The Bureau of Labor Sta- tistics of the State of Iliinois, with headquarters in the State House at Springfield, gather in- formation and prepare reports and statistics re- garding the laboring classes of the State, as, for instance, the number of persons engaged in the various trades, the number receiving various amounts for wages, the number of hours per day employed, etc. This information is gath- ered and prepared for publication with great

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care and the meu who have the work in charge must of necessity be well fitted by training and education to he able to discharge their duties with ahllity and good judgment. The Secretary of this Bureau at the preseut time is David Ross, who has held various other offices of pub- lic trust and honor in the past. Mr. Ross was born In Edinburgh, Scotland, Septemher 19, 1861, and is a son of William J. aud Jean (Snedden) Ross. He was educated In the com- mon school and came to the United States in 186S. Ile located in LaSalle County in 1878 and represented his district in the Thirty-sixth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, in 1889-91, while a resident of that county. He assumed his present office iu February, 1897, and has been a resident of Springfield fourteen years. He is well known iu political circles and among the various representatives of the State Government, and is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Repuhilcau party.

Mr. Ross was married, in Streator, III., Au- gust 30, 1893, to Miss Eleanor Fairbalrn, daugh- ter of Robert and Elizabeth Fairbairn, born in Bedlington, England, October 4, 1862. Two children have been born of this union: Hypatia Evangeline and David Thomas.

ROSS, Duncan (deceased) .- In the death of the late Duncan Ross the village of Dawson, Ill., lost a valuable and highly respected citizen. He was well known in the community and had many warm personal friends who deeply mourned hls loss. He was persoualiy acquainted with Abra- ham Lincoln, for whour he had a high regard. Mr. Ross was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 13, 1831, his father being a native of Scotland and his mother of Virginia. The parents were early settlers of Ross County, where they en- gaged in farulug, and remained there until their deaths. Duncan Ross was educated iu the schools of his native county, theu took up farm- ing there and continued iu this occupation until the heginning of the Civil War, when he en- listed In an Ohio regiment and served through- out the struggle. He made an excellent record as a soldier and at the close of hostilities re- turned to Ohio, but a short time later went to Kansas and carried on farming there a few years, then sold out and came to Sangamon County. He there engaged in farming and some years later retired from this work and located in Dawsou, where he conducted a general store until his weight of years induced him to retire from active life, and he spent his remaining years In the rest he had so well earned. He had an excellent reputation in business, was honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellows, aud was greatly loved by his family, of whose comfort he was ever solicitous. He . was a member of the Christian Church and a Republican In politics. He served for a time. as Police Magistrate in Dawson and was always ready to perform the duties of good citizenship. He was especially missed in the ranks of the

G. A. R., having for years been a member of Buffalo Post.

Mr. Ross was married (first) in Ohlo to Elizabeth Greene, a native of that State, and to this unlon eight children were horu, of whom four now survive, namely : Isaac, a blacksmith, living in Chicago; David and Newton, of Me- chanicsburg ; Jasper, of California. Mrs. Ross died in Dawsou soon after the faluily located there. Mr. Ross was married (second) March 15, 1888, to Anua (Mulleu) McCormick, born in the northern part of Ireland, December 25, 1839, and hrought to America by her parents as a child. The famlly located at Chandlerville, Ill., aud the parents carried on farmiug near there until their deaths. Of their five children but two are now living, Mrs. Ross and her hrother, Johu Mulleu, residing iu Virgluia. Mrs. Ross was first married, July 15, 1865, to Dun- can McCormick, their union taking place at Jacksonville, Ill. Mr. McCormick was a native of Scotland and came to America as a young man. They lived for a time at Jacksonville, then removed to Dawson, where he died in 1884. They had one son, James McCormick, of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. McCormick served as First Lieutenant of a company that was mustered in at Springfield for service in the Civil War, and acquitted himself honorably in this post. Mrs. Ross owns a comfortable home in Dawson and is weil known in the community. The death of Mr. Ross occurred at his home, September 3, 1910.

ROSS, Nathan, a representative citizen of Cooper Township, Sangamon Couuty, who is engaged in agriculturai pursuits on his tract of twenty- three acres in Section 6, was born July 22, 1847, in Bourbon County, Ky., the son of William H. and Ellen (Lane) Ross, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Wales.

The mother of Mr. Ross came to America with her parents, and in Kentucky was married to William H. Ross. They carried on farming in that State until 1869, in which year they came to Sangamon County, Ill., settling on a farm in Cooper Township, on which Mr. Ross died in January, 1870, while his widow survived him until 1900. They were the parents of six chil- dren, of whom three survive, namely: Nathan ; George A., who resides near Breckenridge, Ill .; and Susan, who married Thomas Maddox, a farmer of Clear Lake Township.

Nathan Ross secured his education in an old schoolhouse in Cooper Township which was built of sycamore logs, and during his boyhood and youth worked for his father on the home farm. At the age of twenty-seven years he was mar- ried and with his wife moved to a farm in Clear Lake Township, but several years later returned to Cooper Township, taking the man- agement of his mother's farm, which he con- ducted for her until her death. He then pur- chased his present property, a tract of twenty- three acres located on section 6, and he has

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been successfully engaged in generai farming to the present time. Mr. Ross has been a public- spirited citizen and has served his towushlp as Schooi Director for several terms, being an im- cumbent of that office at the present time, as weli as beiug Road Commissiouer. In politicai views he adheres to the principles of the Dem- ocratic party.

On December 24, 1874, Mr. Ross was married to Leah Huffman, who was born in Sangamon County, daughter of Enoch Huffman, who with his wife came to this country at an early day and here spent his iife in agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Ross died in 1877, having beeu the mother of two children, of whom one is now living : Lucile, the wife of Bert Morgan, of Springfield. On August 19, 1SS4, Mr. Ross was married (sec- ond) to Elizabeth McIntire, who was born in Sangamon County, Iii., the daughter of Sanford McIntire, an early settler and farmer of San- gamon County, and there were seven children born to this union: Bertha, who is deceased ; George H., living on a farm near Dawson; Elizabeth, the wife of George Purcell, who lives near Breckenridge and is engaged in farming; Elvin, who resides near Buffalo; Herbert Lee, who lives with his father ; and Edith aud Mary- land, at home. In the family there are seven living grandchildren.

ROURKE, Wiliiam P. (deceased) .- Ireland was the birthplace of some of the best citizens Springfield has ever known, there being that in the nature of an Irishmau that tends towards good citizenship. The people of that land pos- sess a quickness of perception, a keenness of wit and a loyai patriotism that make them weicome wherever they iocate. William P. Rourke, who for many years was a familiar figure on the streets of Springfield, was born May 9, 1849, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Burns) Rourke, both natives of Ireland, who came to America In 1851, locatlug in Springfield, which remained their home thereafter.

Wiliiam P. Rourke was sent to St. Mary's Cathoilc School in boyhood, and when old enough was taught the biacksmith trade, at which he worked untii 1874, when he estab- lished his own shop on South Eighth Street, where he was in business until his death, which occurred April 9, 1900, and his remains are interred In Caivary Cemetery, he having been a consistent member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. While a stanch Democrat, he did not aspire to public office, but discharged the duties pertalning to that of Supervisor for one term. Fraternally he was a Modern Woodmau and was much interested in Its work. Quiet, devoted to his business affairs, Mr. Ronrke was an industrious, true, ioyai citizen and a devoted husband and father.

On September 30, 1873, he was married in Springfield, to Frances Craren, born Aprii 20, 1853, daughter of James and Ellen Craren. Mr. and Mrs. Rourke had the following children: Charles J., born in 1875; Wiiiiam, in 1878;

Thomas James, in 1SS1; Robert Francis, in 1SS4; Ellen, in 1887; Margaret E., in 1SS9; Francis Willlam, In 1891. Mrs. Rourke owns the family residence at No. 1600 Jackson Street. She is a good mother, devoted to her home and church, and has brought up her children to be a credit to her.

ROUTT, James Jackson .- Most of the veterans of the Civil War who survive have retired from active life and are now living In comparative ease. Au honored veteran of Sangamon County, Ill., who has a good war record and is highly respected in his community, is James Jackson , Routt, who for the past ten years has been a resident of Loaml. Mr. Rontt was born in Fieming County, Ky., March 15, 1845, a son of Byram B. and Eleanor Charlotte (Riggs) Routt, the former born in Bath County and the latter in Nicholas County, Ky. Byram B. Routt was a sou of George Routt, and the family is sup- posed to be of Scotch descent. They were prom- inent in Kentucky in early days and were con- sidered members of the aristocracy of that State. Eleanor Charlotte Riggs was of German ancestry and could scarcely understand her Grandmother Riggs.

Byram B. Routt was a uative of Bath County, had a large amount of land and was an exten- sive slave-owner before the war. Byram was a weli-to-do farmer and a leader in his com- munity. He was born in 1800 and dled In 1850, at which time talk of war was sometimes heard. He left a widow and several children. Mrs. Routt owned many siaves and was a good mis- tress, keeping the members of a family together and taking a humane Interest In their welfare and morals. In 1858 she decided to sell out iu Kentucky, as she had considerable trouble man- aging her estate, but she hated the idea of parting with her slaves. When she left, how- ever, she left the entire number and they were afterward. set free by the emancipation proc- lamation of President Lincoln. George Routt and his wife had sons as follows: Ailen, Will- lam Balley, John, Isaac, Byram B. and George. There were three daugliters: Sally, who never married; Winnie, who became the wife of Na- thau Vice, and died on the home farm; and Lucy, who married Henry Martin. Aii the chil- dren settled near home and all dled in Bath County with the exception of Bailey, Byram B. and Lucy.

Mrs. Eleanor C. Routt was the daughter of a iarge slave-owner of Nicholas County, and her son James J. well remembers his maternai grandparents and events which occurred in his * boyhood home. There were no telephones In those days and he can remember when a man rode up to the door and called to his mother that her mother was dead, and she immedlateiy started horseback sixteen miles to her mother's bedside. She was one of thirteen children: John, Caleb and Erasmus, sons; Poily, Mahala, Maria, Ruth, Patsy, Mary, Ann, Kitturah, Eleauor and one other, daughters, ail now de-

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ceased. Mrs. Routt and her husband began housekeeping in Fleming County, Ky.

The children of Byram B. Routt and his wife were all born iu Fleming County, Ky., and were as follows : Catherine married M. Rodger and died in 1896, her husband having died in a hos- pital at Louisville, Ky .; George E., John W., James J., Sarah Ann, Eleanor Charlotte, Bryam Lewis Jr., Caleb T. and Patsy L. (twins) ; Francls M. Mr. Rodger, who married Cather- ine Routt, was a member of a Kentucky regi- ment in the U. S. A. service, and his widow moved to Morgan County, Ill., where her death occurred in 1896. They had four children: a sou, who died in Infancy ; Kitturah, Ellen and Nancy Ann, who grew to womanhood. George E. Routt came to Illinois and from there weut to Missouri, where he married Harriet Manuiug, and they had one daughter, Lucinda. George died in Kausas aud James J. Routt does not know the whereabouts of the daughter. John W. Routt accompanied his mother from Ken- tucky to Morgan County, Ill., in 185S, and was buried in Mason County, Ill., in 1897. Sarah Ann was married In Kentucky, to David Hen- dricks, and they settled in Bollvar, Polk County, Mo .. becoming parents of several children. Eleauor Charlotte came with her mother to Illl- nois in 185S, married (first) Samuel Riggs, and they had a son Ernest, and Mr. Riggs died at Havana, Ill. Mrs. Riggs marrled (second) Ben- jamin F. Pulliug, and they had two children, Ralph and Gertrude. Mr. Pulling and his wife both died in Mason County. Byram Lewis Routt enlisted in the Confederate Army, was captured by the Union Army, afterward jolned the U. S. troops, and was taken sick and sent to the hos- pital at Rolla, Mo., which Is the last his family ever heard of hlm. Caleb T. and Patsy L. were twins, and the former, now a resident of Loami, was a member of Company G, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Patsy married Charles Goodman and had three children: Harry, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Edward, and one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Goodmna lives in Erie, Pa., with her son Edward, who Is foreman of a factory there. Francis M. Routt came to Ill1- nols with the family and later went West, where he became well-to-do, and died, unmarried, in California.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 132

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774