ROGERS, Rufus Milan^[1]

1876 - 1938  (61 years)  Submit Photo / Document

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• Name	ROGERS, Rufus Milan
  Birth	8 Jul 1876	Provo, Utah, Utah, United States   [1]
  Gender	Male
  WAC	2 Mar 1898	LOGAN
  _TAG	Reviewed on FS
  Death	30 May 1938	Mount Emmons, Duchesne, Utah, United States
  Burial	1 Jun 1938	Altamont-Mount Emmons Cemetery, Duchesne, Duchesne, Utah, United States
  Headstones	Submit Headstone Photo
  Person ID	I56999	Joseph Smith Sr and Lucy Mack Smith
  Last Modified	19 Aug 2021

  
  

  Father	ROGERS, Ruel Mills ,   b. 19 Jan 1833, York, Livingston, New York, United States York, Livingston, New York, United Statesd. 6 Feb 1903, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah, United States (Age 70 years)
  Mother	NIELSON, Hannah Catherine ,   b. 17 Mar 1849, Denmark Denmarkd. 18 Sep 1904, Provo, Utah, Utah, United States (Age 55 years)
  Family ID	F20638	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	VENTER, Mary Rosina ,   b. 29 Jan 1879, Marsh Valley, Oneida, Idaho, United States Marsh Valley, Oneida, Idaho, United Statesd. 10 Jan 1900, Afton, Lincoln, Wyoming, United States (Age 20 years)
  Marriage	23 Jul 1896	Afton, Lincoln, Wyoming, United States
  Family ID	F27460	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	24 Jan 2022

  
  

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• Notes

  Written by Evelyn Adams Robbins, granddaughter of Ruel M. Rogers. Ruel Mills Rogers, publicly known as Doctor Rogers, was the son of Isaac and Susan Mills Rogers and was born in York, Livingston county, New York, January 19, 1833. When but a small child his father and family moved from York to Kirkland, Ohio, where they joined the Latter-day Saint Church and became intimately acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith. From Kirkland the family moved to New Orleans and then to Terrecoupee, Indiana. During this time the mother, Susan Mills Rogers died, leaving the care of the family to the father. When Ruel Mills was eleven years of age, his father married again which caused a breaking up of the family. At this time Ruel Mills and his brother Alma, who was two years younger, left the old home, their father and the younger brothers and sisters and walked back to York, Livingston County, New York, their former home and made their home with their sister and brother-in-law who was a medical doctor. After living with them for a short time, the brother-in-law asked Ruel Mills what he would like to become and was told that he would like to be what he was, meaning a doctor. This pleased the brother-in-law very much and in due time he made an apprentice of him, placing him in a drugstore and allowing him to visit in his office. It was not long after this that the brother-in-law died of cholera, causing the apprenticeship to stop. The two boys, Ruel Mills and Alma and their sister buried their loved one in a trench in the yard. Ruel Mills, although only a boy and scarcely able to care for himself, made friends quickly and because of this the partner of their brother-in-law, a Dr. Campbell, became interested in him and took it upon himself to continue the education of the boy. Ruel Mills studied hard and worked his way through the lower grades of the school and as an apprentice and soon entered the McDowell Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, from which college he graduated as Dr. R. M. Rogers in 1854. Thus realizing his boyhood’s greatest desire. On December 8, 1853 Ruel Mills married the beautiful Diannah Lovina Donaghe. Diannah Lovina Donaghe was born in Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri, December 4, 1836, of American heritage. Her parents were Hugh Casslin and Eliza Lindsay Donaghe. Lovina was the eldest child in a family of seven. The father followed the tanners’ trade and became quite well-to-do. During the time when the negroes were being bought and sold as slaves among the white people, the Donaghes had their slaves and servants. These people did not belong to the Mormon church, thus Lovina was a non-member when she met and married Dr, Rogers. After their marriage, the Rogers’ lived for a time in Rutledge, McDonald County, Missouri, where a daughter, Susan Ann Eliza, was born to them, May 21, 1855 and a son Rinaldo Mace was born, Feb. 21 1857. While at this place, their little daughter died at the age of two years in 1857 and was buried there. From here they moved to Charleston, Arkansas. Here a second daughter, their third child, Modonna Francis, came to bless their home, on Feb. 15, 1859. When the civil war broke out the call came for all men who were able, to go to the scene of battle and fight for the worthy cause. Dr. Rogers had no desire to take sides with either the North or the South, and if they remained in Missouri, he must fight for his country. So, disregarding the fact that he would be arrested on a charge of desertion if he left Arkansas, he and his wife and two small children, with provisions and weapons of protection began their long journey in a covered wagon., to that place far distant, inhabited by the Mormon people. Mrs. Rogers parents begged and pleaded with her to stay with them, offered her a good home, slaves, servants and anything her heart desired but her heart was with her husband and she broke from them, leaving them with outstretched arms and followed the call of the west. In order to accomplish their purpose, they must take every precaution possible. They traveled many miles before they felt safe in making a fire to cook their meals for fear of being overtaken by the Southern officers. But one night they came to a woods and, thinking they were far enough away that no one would see them they stopped, built a fire and began preparing their meal and resting when upon looking back they beheld the officers riding at breakneck speed and calling to them to “halt.” Dr. Rogers had presence of mind enough to obey the officers and be friendly with them and he instructed his wife to be likewise. They greeted the officers and invited them to partake of their food with them. During this time, Mrs. Rogers had taken her two children and walked out through the thickest woods until she came to a hollow tree trunk lying upon the ground, and there she deposited her gun which she had previously taken from the wagon and strapped to her body underneath her skirts, in fear of having their wagon and provisions searched, should they be discovered. She then returned unconcernedly to their camp where she and the Doctor talked and laughed with the officers while they ate. Upon finishing the meal, Dr. Rogers procured a container of liquor from their store of provisions and offered a drink to the officers. They accepted and drank. Each drink invited another until they became intoxicated and fell asleep. The Doctor and his wife worked quickly and quietly recovering their guns and mounting their horses and, leaving their wagon and all of their provisions, they sped away toward their destination. But, as they wended their way another obstacle presented itself before them. The Indians! Great was their fear and anxiety as they rode along for well they knew that the red-skinned people inhabited this uncivilized country and what might happen to them. Innocent and harmless, they shuddered to think of it. They had not long to wait, however, for soon they heard that well-known war cry. Indians were on their path. As they came nearer, the old Indian Chief made his way toward them but instead of bringing trouble, handed them the Indian peace pipe. This they willingly accepted to show them they were peaceful. With much lighter hearts they rode away until they finally arrived in Utah, the Queen of the West, their future home, in the year 1861. After arriving in Utah, they located in Draper. Dr. Rogers practiced medicine and also taught school and Sunday School and soon became a very active citizen. Mrs. Rogers also studied medicine and became a medical doctor and mid-wife (4th Mar. 1893) to practice in the Territory of Utah. So in their new location, she was a very efficient nurse and wonderful helpmate to the doctor in his chosen profession. During their stay in Draper, two more children were added to their family, Ruel Mills Jr. who was born Nov. 5, 1862 and Althea Lovina, born Oct. 3, 1864. On June 5, 1863 while they were still in Draper, the Dr. married Augusta Comfort Ennis of Draper, who was born in Ridford, Herefortshire, England, Aug. 26, 1847; the daughter of John and Elizabeth Ennis. Augusta became the mother of eleven children who are as follows: Athena Augusta, born in Draper June 14, 1864; Ranson Manlius born in Moroni, San Pete County, Arsena Elizabeth, Rahpheal Magenus, Ida Mae, Ross Milton, Roscoe Menton, Royal Milford, Rural Maser, Narcissa Edith, known as Daisy, Pearl Ennis. In 1865, the Black Hawk War broke out and every able man was called to go forth to protect his family, friends and property from the Indians. Having previously called to take his family and help build up San Pete county Dr. Rogers, now entered the war as a physician and surgeon. He encountered many trying experiences in connection with the battle. At one time he was separated from the company to which he belonged and was without water for three days which nearly caused his death. Later he found his company and returned to his home in Moroni safely, where he and his family resided for about seven years during which time two of their children were born, Roswell Medwin, born March 20, 1867 and Colenda Chrilla, born April 12, 1869. Here also the Dr. courted the third Mrs. Rogers. On Dec. 1867 he married Hannah Catherine Nelson, born in Alton Illinois March 17, 1850. From this union were born the following: Victoria Marie, Effie Mary, Rufus Milian, Ruella Pearl, Lily Mae, Kate Namoni, Randolph Mercer. [Note 1] On April 1, 1871, while yet residing in Moroni, Dr. Rogers was called to Salt Lake County on business. Soon after he left on his journey his oldest son, Rinaldo, then fourteen years of age, thinking to play an April Fool joke on his mother, took his gun out into the yard to shoot it. The gun would not go off and he looked into the barrel to determine the cause, the gun went off and shot Rinaldo Mace, killing him instantly. This was a great shock to the Rogers and caused deep grief and sorrow and mourning in the family. They buried him in the Moroni City cemetery and soon after with heavy hearts they moved back to their old home in Draper. The Doctor continued his practice and teaching in Draper. Here another daughter was born to them September 13, 1871. This daughter they named Allie Zetilla. A very good position then presented itself in Provo City and he sold his home in Draper and with his three wives and their families, located in Provo. Here Dr. Rogers established one of the first drug stores in the city. The City Drug Store, as it was called, which was located on Maine Street. As a doctor he did a great work in Provo, traveling many miles with a horse and buggy to care for the sick. In this city, Lovina, the first wife’s youngest children were born, Roxie Miriam, who was born Aug. 1. 1874 and Nellie Evelyn, who was born June 22, 1877. At this time there was uninhabited land on Provo Bench and Dr. Rogers, “Took Up” a quarter section on the ridge between Pleasant Grove and Provo, under the Homestead act and moved his first wife, Lovina and family there in 1877. The Dr. himself remained in Provo with his second and third wives to be near his work at the Drug Store. Shortly after this, he sold his home and Drug Store in Provo and “Took Up” two more quarter sections of land adjoining the first section, making 480 acres in all, and moved the rest of his family there, giving to each wife a quarter section to live on. From this time on, Dr. Rogers practiced for the most part in Provo Bench and Pleasant Grove and surrounding towns as far north as Salt Lake. (He was interested in irrigation and made some progress in that line over on the bench.) The three Rogers’ families enjoyed each other’s company almost as if they were neighbors and friends. Going hiking and horseback riding in the hills and around the ranch was their chief diversion. There was no school within the reach of the small children at the ranch, so Dr. Rogers built a small frame house and there his oldest daughter, Fannie, taught the children. Their little family school opened at nine o’clock and closed at four and was conducted much the same as the public schools. Dr. Rogers was very strict with his children and having furnished them with books required them to study in the evenings the lessons their sister had taught them in their little day school. In order to attend Sunday School and to do their marketing it was necessary for them to walk or ride horseback three miles into town. Among the pleasure and joys experienced during their ranch life came trials and tribulations and great sorrowing which finds its way into the lives of all the human race. In much the same way as the pioneers were tormented with grasshoppers, so Dr. Rogers’ crops, year after year were destroyed by the wild rabbits and grasshoppers. Coming in great droves, they would devour the crops. It took the Doctor, the hired help and all the children with their many dogs and guns to drive the rabbits from the fields. One trying experience which has been often told ran as follows: On July 1, 1887 two small neighbor boys made a bonfire across the ridge from the Rogers’ farm to roast potatoes. A high wind arose and the bonfire became uncontrollable for the small boys. The fire spread across the ridge into Dr. Rogers’ farm. It spread to the grain fields and by quick action on the part of all the members of the family and with the help of neighbors they were able to get it stopped by plowing a big ditch through the field, there being no water available. This of course was a great loss, having most of the grain burned and all of their chickens and the fencing. Sickness also attacked the family from time to time. In the year 1880 Lovina’s oldest daughter, Fannie, who had attended school at Provo, and prepared herself for teaching, contracted “inflammation of the bowels” and passed away Feb. 20. She was buried at Draper. At the time of her death, Fannie was engaged to marry J. B. Keeler of Provo. Mr. Keeler later had her sealed to him. In the fall of 1880, the doctor moved Lovina and her family to Pleasant Grove. He purchased a house just east of what was then call the Mercantile Store. There he furnished one room for a drug store which was the first Drug Store in Pleasant Grove. Shortly after this he rented a building on the main street (on the west side of the street) and moved his drug store business there. He hired a druggist by the name of Mr. Collett as manager of the store. He, in later years, moved it to a new location on the east side of the street at the head of Main Street. In this location Dr. Rogers and his son Royal managed the business themselves. In 1891, the building burned down which made it necessary to move their drugs to still another place and it was at this new place that his daughter, Arsena, while working in the drug store was accidently shot and killed by Guy K. Robinson June 17, 1892. (Guy Robison later married Roxie Rogers). Soon after this, the first wife, Lovina, with her youngest daughter Nellie, moved to Provo where Nellie attended School at the Brigham Young Academy. Dr. Rogers remained in Pleasant Grove with his second wife Augusta until the time of his death. He was taken very suddenly ill with pneumonia and died Feb. 6, 1903, and was buried in Draper. He arrived at the honourable age of seventy years. At the time of his death his drug store business was well-kept and flourishing and his medical practice wide-spread. He was known throughout the county. Neat, very strict and commanding as to nature, straight forward and alert. Small in appearance, strong in body, mind and soul. Truthful to his God, his country and to man. A personage to look up to and respect as one who came to this earth and performed his mission dutifully. [Note 1. There appears to be an error in this history. It states that Hannah Catherine Nelson is born in Alton, Illinois. However, records show that Hannah was born in Gottrup, Thisted, Denmark on 17 Mar 1849. She came to America on the ship John J Boyd, according to the passenger list, in 1855 as a young girl with her family. Information provided by Jim Pitchford.]

  
  

• Sources

  [S78] Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1880 United States Federal Census, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited), Year: 1880; Census Place: Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah; Roll: 1339; Family History Film: 1255339; Page: 295A; Enumeration District: 089.