This is an ever growing list of Union County Biographies. If there is just the page listed it is one that I have transcribed. Otherwise, it will have the name of the person who donated the biographies.  If you have any biographies you can donate, please drop a line to Janine M. Bork.Your information can help others.

In taking up the personal history of Mr. Rogers, we note that he is the son of Lorenzo Dow and Amanda J. (Suddath) Rogers, and was born in Harrison county, Ohio, near the town of Cadiz, on October 29, 1836, and while still a child was removed by his parents to Guernsey county, in the same state. In this latter place he was favored with the educational discipline to beg aimed from the common schools of that primitive day, and he made good use of his advantages until he had reached his majority. Then he engaged with his father in partnership and wrought there until 1860, when he took up the arduous and dangerous journey across the plains to Pike's Peak, where he mined until 1862. Although the train consisted of one hundred and thirty-six wagons and four hundred men, still some trouble was experienced with the Indians. At one time one party having considerable money was caught and killed and robbed, being some what behind the body of the train.

In 1862 he came to Auburn, Baker county, Oregon, arriving there in the fall. Mining and packing engrossed his attention for two years subsequent to that time, and then he repaired to the Grande Ronde valley and homesteaded a quarter section and gave himself to farming, which was a successful venture, and in 1867 he purchased two hundred acres, making his farm of generous proportions. Mr. Rogers has always been identified closely with the interests of the county, and while he has gained enviable success in stock raising and farming, he has always found time to devote to the duties of the intelligent citizen. In 1880 the people nominated him on the Republican ticket for sheriff of the county, against W.W. White, democratic, this county and Wallowa being one and strongly Democratic. At the election our subject was found to be four hundred ahead of his ticket and eight nine ahead of the opposition candidate and for two years he efficiently served the county, and at the end of that period he was rewarded by a renomination on the same platform, against Green Arnold on the Democratic ticket, and on this occasion Mr. Rogers was elected by one hundred and seventy majority, running four hundred ahead of his ticket, thus demonstrating unmistakably his popularity in the county. At both of these elections he was the only Republican on the ticket that was elected.

In all this long service it was patent to all that when Mr. Rogers went after his man he brought him. A third term was offered him by an appreciative people, but he refused, as also he did again in 1888, preferring to give his time to the pursuits of private industries.

In 1869 Mr. Rogers married Miss Hannah M., daughter of Thomas and Susan (Birkmire)Williamson, the wedding occurring in the house where this worthy couple now live in Lagrande. Mrs. Rogers was born in Philadelphia, on October 20, 1848, and endured the hardships of crossing the plains in1862, and those of pioneer life, the half of which have never been written. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Masons, and has filled many offices of the relief corps. They are both affiliated with the Methodist church and are active in their labor in this connection, being ardent supporters of the faith that makes faithful. Mr. Rogers stands high among his neighbors and is beloved by all.