In the 1850 census of Portage County, Ohio, Calvin Mahlon Rogers was only three years old, the second youngest of the eight children of Joseph and Charlotte Rogers. By 1860, the family had relocated to Williams County in Center Township, but without their father, Joseph. Charlotte, now a widow, and three children - James, Emeline, and Calvin - were there, with James, 18, designated as the farmer on real estate valued at just $300.
At the age of 16, Calvin enlisted on January 4, 1864, into Company A, 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. (The age of enlistment was 18.) He was just in time to begin the march to Atlanta, participating in all the battles that led to its fall. In early 1865, he marched with Sherman's army through the Carolinas and eventually to Washington, D.C. by way of Richmond, Virginia. He probably was present for the Grand Review held in the Capital on May 24. Calvin mustered out with his unit on July 12, 1865, and was officially discharged at Cleveland, Ohio on July 22 at the age of 17 years and 5 days, having probably seen more than he bargained for in the year and a half that he was gone.
In the 1890 Veterans Census, Calvin reported that his disabilities from the war were chronic diarrhea and cataarh.
At some point, he married Elizabeth M. Beattie and they eventually settled in Farmer Township. In 1880, Calvin, 32, and Elizabeth, 32, had children: Sarah, 12; Ella, 10; Joseph, 7; Bert, 5; and James, 2. Living with them was his mother, Charlotte, now 74. Calvin was a farmer. In 1888, daughter Sarah, called Sadie in the marriage record, married William E. Sewell on February 16.
Her sister, Ella, married W. S. Weldon.
The home of Calvin and Elizabeth was often opened to relatives who needed assistance or just a place to live. In 1900, they had living with them two grandchildren, Sarah's children, Winfield M. Sewell, 11 and Elma E. Sewell, 9. Also with them was Asenatte E. Rogers, 17.
Elizabeth Beattie Rogers died in 1908, on April 24. The Defiance Democrat gave a brief death notice:
"Died at her home near Farmer, on April 13, Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, aged 60 years, 8 months and 8 days. The funeral services were held at Farmer on Thursday conducted by the Reverends Turner and Lilly."
It might be assumed that Elma and Winfield were raised by their grandparents, as they still lived with them in 1910, when Calvin was 61. (It also might be concluded that Calvin's daughter, Sarah, had died.) At that point, Elma was 19 and working as a teacher, and Winfield was 21 and a farm laborer, working out. Also living there in 1910, was a niece, Sarah M. Donze, 30, and widowed, working as a housekeeper for a private family, Grace Donze, 6 and Clarence L. Donze, 2, described as a niece and nephew; however, could they have been Sarah Donze's children?
Before 1920, Calvin remarried to Hattie Weaver Roundtree and the two moved to 403 East High, Bryan. For once, there were no guests in Calvin's home - just Calvin, 71, and Hattie, 63. A 1923 city directory stated that Calvin was an insurance agent.
Calvin Mahlon Rogers died on April 23, 1929 in Bryan at the age of 80 years, 9 months, and 6 days.
The May 2, 1929 edition of the Bryan Press carried the obituary of Calvin Rogers. (Parts were unreadable on the copy used.)
"CALVIN M. ROGERS
Calvin Mahlon Rogers, the seventh son of Joseph _ Rogers, was born July 17, 1848 in ____, Portage County, Ohio. When four years of age, he went with his parents to ___ County. His father died in 1853 (?) when Calvin was five years of age. The mother moved to Williams county in 1857 and settled in the (dense?) woods four miles west of Bryan. He lived there with his mother until January 1864, at which time he heard and noticed the ___ of his country.
He enlisted in Company A, 38th Ohio Regiment and immediately went to the front, company was sent to Chattanooga, Tenn. where Sherman's army was (getting) organized for the Atlanta campaign. The young veteran went through many of the battles ___ which finally ended with the Battle of Atlanta, Sept. 1, 1864. He was one of the noble heroes in Sherman's March to the Sea (of this he was justly proud!) This march ended at Savannah, Georgia Dec. 25, 1864. At the close of a 20 day rest, the army marched northward as far as Raleigh, N.C., and having surrendered to Grant about April 9, 1865. He then marched with Sherman's ragged army to Washington where he took part in the grand review. After some time, they were ordered to Louisville, Ky. and were mustered out of service July 12, 1865, having served one year, six months and 5 days, being only 17 years and 5 days old at the time of his discharge. After returning home, he resided with his sister, Mrs. Louis Smith.
January 1, 1867, he was married to Elizabeth M. Beattie. Six children were born to this union, Sadie E. Sewell, deceased, Ella Weldon of Jackson, Mich., Joseph of Gary, Ind., Bert of Farmer, James A. of Pioneer, Cena E. Richardson, deceased.
When 15 years of age, he was converted and joined the U.B. church at Dry Creek, Center circuit. He served as church trustee, secretary of the board of trustees, steward and was for many years Sunday school superintendent. He was active and efficient in church work, conscientious in all he undertook to his Master's service.
April 13, 1908, his helpmate and co-worker answered the call of her Heavenly Father and left this world of cares.
Oct. 6, 1910, he married Hattie E. Weaver Roundtree of San Antonio, Texas. After six months residence in the southern city, they made their home on the farm in Farmer township where they resided for five years, then moving to Bryan where he continued to reside till death.
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been very close companions. They understand each other as few couples do. The children, grandchildren and many friends feel they have lost a great friend through the departure of father Rogers.
He has closed a successful journey, having made his stops all thru the journey of great worth to those who were fortunate enough to know him. He would attribute any success in life to his Heavenly Father in whom he so sweetly trusted.
He leaves his wife, Hattie Rogers, three sons, one daughter, grandchildren, great grandchildren, with many other relatives and friends who mourn his departure."
The Bryan Press followed up with this short account in the same edition in the Farmer social news:
"The funeral of Mr. C. M. Rogers of Bryan, was held in the Union church here on last Friday afternoon with burial in the Farmer cemetery. It was in charge of the Grand Army of the Republic and Masonic Lodge. Mr. Rogers had been in poor health for some time. Many out of town people were there to attend the funeral which was one of the largest held here. His pastor, Rev. J. B. Bovey of Bryan preached a very impressive sermon, assisted in prayer by the U.B. pastor of Defiance."
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