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This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography, including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 621-622
JOHN ROGERS, ex-treasurer of Aurora county, South Dakota, and present
postmaster of Plankinton, is one of the widely known and esteemed citizens of his community. He is a native of Scotland and was born
February 17, 1845, the youngest of seven children of whom Thomas and Mary
(Rogie) Rogers were the parents. His father died in 1873, at the age of seventy-five years, and his mother followed three years later,
at the age of seventy eight years. His brothers and sisters are all deceased, leaving John Rogers the only one of the family now living.
When thirteen years of age our subject was apprenticed to the
blacksmith's trade, and for several years followed his vocation. In 1865 he emigrated to America, landing at Quebec. He proceeded to
Clinton, Iowa, and opened a blacksmith shop, remaining there until 1869, when he removed to De Kalb county, Missouri. In 1873 he located
near Eldora, Iowa, but after two years removed to Davenport and again followed his trade. In 1880 he began dealing in real estate, and in
1882 removed to Plankinton, South Dakota, to enlarge his real estate business. A partnership was formed under the firm name of Rogers &
Dougan, which continued until the fall of 1884, when Mr. Rogers was appointed treasurer of Aurora county to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of James Campbell. At the next general election Mr. Rogers was returned to the same office by popular vote, and in 1893 he again
served as county treasurer. He has been mayor and councilman at Plankinton and is its present postmaster, having been appointed to this
office in April, 1889. He was secretary of the Dakota Hail Association, which was organized in 1889 and afterward removed to Mitchell, South
Dakota. His real estate interests have occupied much of his time since locating in Dakota and he is prominent in business circles.
Mr. Rogers was married in 1872 to Miss Mattie A. McBride, a native of
Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have two sons: Alfred, an attorney in Madison, Wisconsin, and Victor E., a student in Madison.
Mr. Rogers holds membership in the Knights of Pythias, the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He votes the Republican ticket.
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