Marion County
ILGenWeb

Biography - TILMON J. ROGERS

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.