Representative Jacob Wentworth Rogers View All Years
This photograph is provided for official informational purposes only. The image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise used without prior written authorization from the Iowa General Assembly.
Requests for permission to use this image must be submitted to the Chief Clerk of the House for House members or the Secretary of the Senate for Senate members.
Jacob Wentworth Rogers
Fayette County
Born in Moultonborough, then Strafford County, N. H., on the 15th of August 1820. His parents were John and Anna (Wentworth) Rogers, both natives of New England. Mr. Rogers accompanied his mother to Bethel and attended the public schools of that place. He also had the benefit of a few terms of instruction in an academy, but is indebted more for his education to self-instruction by the light of the old-fashioned fireplace than to regular scholastic training. In September, 1843, he emigrated to the great West, then just opening up to settlement. He landed in Southport, Wis., now Kenosha, but did not remain long in that place, continuing on his way to Belvidere, McHenry County, Illinois, near where he engaged in teaching school. Having taught five terms, in April, 1845, he went to Monroe, Wis., where he taught and also engaged in the mercantile business in company with Jacob LyBrand. In Belvidere, Illinois, February 25. 1848, Mr. Rogers and Miss Sarah Simons, daughter of John and Adelia M. (Burbank) Simons, were married. In September, 1849, he started for this State, accompanied by his wife and partner, Mr. LyBrand. They reached the site of West Union, in what is now Fayette County, then a part of Clayton, on the 7th of September of that year. On locating in West Union, Mr. Rogers engaged in the real-estate business, locating, entering, buying and selling lands, which enterprise he carried on quite extensively. He was a strong antislavery man from his earliest conceptions in regard to politics and became identified with the Liberal party while a resident of Monroe, Wis. He was nominated for the Legislature, but his party was not sufficiently strong to secure his election. In 1850 he was appointed the first Clerk of the Court for Fayette County and served two years. in 1854, previous to the organization of the Republican party, Mr. Rogers was the first in Fayette County to move for a public meeting to organize that party and such a meeting was held in West Union. He suggested the name of True Republican Party and the name as since used was finally adopted at that meeting. Earlier in the same year he was elected to time Legislature by the Anti-Nebraska Party and served two years. For some years he has been devoting considerable attention to law. While serving as Clerk of the Court and in connection with his real-estate business, he was admitted to the bar on the 1st of June, 1855, but at that time only practiced a year, as he was elected County Judge in August, 1857. Being reelected in August, 1859, he served until January, 1861, when he resigned. The Judge maintained his connection with the Republican party until 1881, since which time he has been identified with the Prohibition party. He was the candidate of that party for Attorney General of Iowa and for Judge of the Supreme Court. From time first settlement of West Union and Fayette County, Judge Rogers has always been foremost in support of every worthy enterprise that was calculated to benefit the people of his city, county and state.
Print
Permanent Link