DUBUQUE CO., IA: BIOGRAPHY: Thomas Rogers
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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       Please visit the Dubuque County, IAGenWeb page  
       at http://iagenweb.org/dubuque/
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Honorable THOMAS ROGERS was born at Fort Edward, New York, 
Oct. 14, 1808 and graduated at the Union College, Schenectady, after 
which he studied law at in the office of his father-in-law, Judge Cowan, 
at Saratoga. In 1839 he removed of Dubuque, Iowa bringing with him an 
introductory letter to Hon. George W. Jones, whose indorsement was a 
prestige of success. He secured the life-long friendship of General 
Jones, on account of his talents, education and amiable character, 
which qualities soon commended him also to the public, and he was 
frequently appointed by the court to appear on the part of the prosecution 
or defense in important criminal cases. 
 
He was an honor to the Dubuque bar so long as he practiced his 
profession. His first law partner was J. V. Berry, and on the removal of 
Mr. Berry to California, he formed a partnership with William J. Barney, 
well known in Dubuque, and for many years a banker. He gradually 
retired from the practice of law before 1850, and took a more prominent 
and active interest in political affairs, so far as the then Territory and 
subsequent State of Iowa was concerned. He was so highly appreciated 
by his fellow citizens that he was elected to the House of 
Representatives in the Territorial Legislature in 1840. 
 
Mr. Rogers was a warm, earnest, and eloquent advocate of those 
principles which he believed constitute the foundation of our general 
government. He was at that time over thirty years of age, one of the most 
eloquent speakers who appeared on popular occasions. 
 
On taking his seat in the Legislature, he soon became conspicuous for 
his clear and correct judgment as he had been and continued to be 
popular at home. It made no difference to him whether he was in the 
majority or minority as to partisanship, when he presented a bill of his 
own, proposed for a law or espoused the defense of a bill offered by 
another. The only question with him was, "Is it right in principle?" The 
reports of committees during that session, and his reported speeches in 
the press of that day leave evidence of unusual legislative ability. 
 
Years afterwards, when he was tendered an important public office, his 
unassuming modesty made him decline, and it was the same as to other 
offices to which he might have been appointed or elected. The older he 
grew the more modest he became as to assuming any official position. 
He might, if willing, have been Surveyor General of Wisconsin and Iowa, 
and afterwards declined to accept the place of United States District 
Judge, now occupied by Judge Love. 
 
Leaving the practice of his profession, he engaged with partners  Gen. 
C. H. Booth and the late  in an important manufacture in Dubuque, 
chiefly the manufacture of flour. After a few years of successful business 
he retired from the firm, yet up to the last month of his life he continued in 
business incidental to it  the purchase of wheat. 
 
In reputation, Mr. Rogers, lived without reproach for more than thirty 
years among his fellow citizens. Few men have continued for so long a 
period such an unblemished life. In character it is almost needless to 
commend to his hosts of still surviving friends the life of such a man. 
Those who knew him as friends from 1840 to 1874 need not be 
reminded that he had a large and generous heart, and one of the most 
kindly natures. Many of the departed knew, and many who survive know 
and remember, how he visited the sick day by day, and passed by no 
opportunity where he could personally sympathize with distress or 
affliction, or by his purse aid any whom he knew to be worthy. 
 
Mr. Rogers died in Dubuque on the 6th of February, 1874. The following 
resolutions were passed by the Dubuque bar: 
 
"WHEREAS, Honorable Thomas Rogers, a member of this bar, has been 
removed from among us by death, 
 
Resolved, That we learn with deep regret the loss that we in common 
with the community at large has sustained in the death of our brother, 
whose ability and courtesy placed him in the foremost rank while 
engaged in the active practice of his profession, and endeared him in the 
after life to all those with whom he was associated in other pursuits. 
 
Resolved, That we tender to the family of the deceased our heartfelt 
sympathy in their bereavement. 
 
Resolved, That as a mark of our respect, these resolutions be published 
in the city papers, and a copy thereof be furnished to the family of the 
deceased."