There can never be aught but appreciation of the services of the men who
followed the stars and stripes on the sanguinary battle fields of the South
during the most crucial epoch of our national history. One of the honored
veterans of the war of the Rebellion, who went forth as representative of
Marion county patriotism is the subject of this tribute, who has passed the
greater portion of his useful life in this county.
Tilmon J. Rogers
was born in Maury county, Tennessee, February 24, 1842, the son of Jesse and
Elizabeth (Alderson) Rogers, the former a native of Tennessee, where he was
born in 1801. The latter was also born in that state, the date of her birth
occurring in 1811. There were ten children in this family, an equal number
of boys and girls, our subject being the eighth in order of birth.
Tilmon J. Rogers came with his parents to Marion county, Illinois, when ten
years old, in 1852. The family rented a farm and made a good living in the
new home.
Our subject drove an ox team to break the ground in this
county, and assisted with the farm work until he reached maturity, having
gone to school but very little. However he learned to spell, read and write
but he never studied arithmetic a day, but practice in the business world
has been his educator and he counts interest and all measurements mentally.
His first school was in Tennessee, a subscription school. He has always been
a hard worker and is even now a strong man both physically and mentally,
keeping well posted on current events and is therefore an interesting
conversationalist.
Mr. Rogers was united in marriage in 1866 with
Martha C. Clack, daughter of B. B. and Cornelia (Vanduzen) Brown, who were
the parents of seven children, six girls and one boy. Mrs. Rogers' mother
was born in Edgar county, Illinois, in 1825. Seven children have been born
to our subject and wife, three boys and four girls, namely: Emory J., who
was married to Lora Keller, is the father of two children, both girls; Laura
Stella married Frank Arnold, and they have five children, four of whom are
living, three boys and one girl; Vantoliver married Luella Stevens, and they
have one son; Henry O. married first Leona Arnold, by whom he has one
daughter; his second marriage was to Edith Southward and one daughter has
also been born to this union; Martha C. married John Davis; Nellie E.
married Luther Beard and they are the parents of two sons; Bessie T. died at
the age of eleven years. These children all received fairly good common
school educations and are comfortably situated in reference to this world's
affairs.
Tilmon J. Rogers was one of the patriotic citizens of the
fair North who believed that it was his duty and privilege to offer his
services and life, if need be, in defence of his country's integrity, which
was threatened during the dark days of the sixties, consequently he enlisted
August 14, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, under J. M. Martin, and was in the service nearly three years,
having taken part in many a hard-fought battle, being wounded at Resaca,
Georgia, May 14, 1864, having been struck in the right arm by a musket ball
which took effect near the shoulder. He was in the hospital but a short time
as a result of this wound. He was in a number of engagements while in
Sherman's march from Atlanta to the sea. He was discharged June 28, 1865, at
Washington City, after which he went to Springfield, Illinois, where he
received his pay, then he came back to Marion county and took up farming, at
which he has prospered ever since.
In politics Mr. Rogers is a loyal
advocate of the principles fostered by the Democratic party, and while he
has never found time to take much interest in active political affairs his
vote is always cast for the men whom he believes will best serve the public
interests. In religious matters his parents were Missionary Baptists on his
mother's side. Personally Mr. Rogers adheres to the principles of good
citizenship and believes in attending strictly to his own affairs.
He owns a valuable and highly improved farm of one hundred and eighty-five
acres, having lived on the same since the fall of 1867, and during his lapse
of years he has seen this county undergo great changes.
Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 521-522.