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

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Honorable Thomas Rogers was born at Fort Edward, Washington County, New 
York, October 14, 1808, and graduated at Union College, Schenectady, after 
which he studied law in the office of his father-in-law, Judge Cowan, at Saratoga.  
In 1839 he removed to Dubuque, Iowa, bringing with him an introductory letter to 
Hon. George W. Jones, whose endorsement 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 to 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 as 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 Narcissa Nadeau – 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 fiends 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 new, 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 day 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 have 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 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."