James Winston Rogers

James Winston Rogers

Guest blogger today, Patricia Rogers Seliger, my cousin who knows a lot about our ancestors (and has been a great resource for me.)  She contributes here about her own father, my uncle.

James Rogers at Sentry Insurance

My father, James Winston Rogers, was born in Fort Worth, Texas on January 14, 1922 to George E. Rogers Sr., and Ada Phillips Swasey Rogers, the youngest of 6 children.  

When his father took a job in San Antonio around 1934, the family moved there and lived in a home at 1201 Woodlawn.  At Jefferson High School, he played trumpet in the ROTC band, and joined the Non-Com Club, the Architectural Club and the Statesman Club.  Today, my brother John, also a musician, has my Dad's trumpet.  

Dad also played the piano and sang in church and community choirs.  He had a deep bass voice, and loved to whistle and sing around the house too, singing songs like “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” ”The Streets of Laredo,” and ”Dixie.”  He made sure all of us kids took piano lessons, but really struck pay dirt when my brother John showed unusual talent at a young age.  Today John is a composer and teaches music at the University of South Carolina.  

George Elmore Rogers Sr and his son, James Winston Rogers

He joined the Navy in December 1941, and was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas. He went through Naval officer training in Memphis, Tennessee, where he met Dorothy Hehlke, whom he later married.  He received his Naval flying wings in Sanford, Florida in 1945. My mother told that he was in San Francisco awaiting deployment to fly to Japan when the war ended.   He never lost his love of flying, and my sister Chris inherited that love from him, earning her own pilot’s license. 

Upon discharge after the war, he attended the Art Institute in Chicago, and then moved to Wisconsin where he worked as a commercial artist. In 1955, he joined Hardware Mutual, now Sentry Insurance, and worked in the art department. He moved to Stevens Point in 1965 and retired from Sentry on February 1, 1985.

My father and mother had 4 children, Patricia, Christina, Cynthia, and John.   My mother was Lutheran, and my father left the Christian Science church where he had been raised, and joined the Lutheran church, where he was active.  We children were all raised Lutheran. 

Christina, James, Patricia and Dorothy Rogers

You can take the boy out of Texas, but you can’t take the Texas out of the boy.  Dad kept his soft Texas drawl throughout his life. And loved to wear a cowboy hat and boots.  Dad and Mom bought a camping trailer after I had grown up and left home, and my siblings tell the story of how a tornado was threating the campsite one time, and they remember Dad in his cowboy boots and hat, and boxer shorts tightening down the awning on the trailer.  

He maintained his lifelong interest in art, history, reading, and genealogy, and instilled an interest in genealogy in me.  Art and creativity also seem to run through our family too.  My sister Cindy has a talent for art, I have a degree in Interior Design, and my cousin Barbara designs and makes very unique and lovely ceramic pieces. Dad had an art studio in our home, and we loved to sit and watch him paint and draw.  I remember the Sentry Insurance logo on his drawing board.  He also joined the Toastmaster’s Club, and became quite an accomplished speaker.  I wonder if my sister Chris’ love of words came from him.

I moved away from Wisconsin to Arizona in 1976, but continued to correspond with Dad regularly and we spoke on the phone often.  We wrote of philosophy, religion, and family history, and his letters were full of news.  I still have some of them.  My mother and Dad did come out to visit several times.  By 1987 I was operating a 5-acre horse farm, and in February after he retired, Dad undertook a trip across the country to visit. 

He was drawing and painting horses by that time, and came out to visit to go with me to the Arabian Horse Show but he was only able to go with me once.  I was shocked at how weak he was.  He spent most of the visit on the couch, and in spite of my objections, he was determined to drive across the country to visit my sister, Chris, who was in Virginia.  I often wonder if he had a premonition and wanted to see us to say goodbye, because he died of a massive heart attack later that year.

My father died on September 13, 1987 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Patricia Ann Rogers Seliger

Elmore Gibbs Rogers

My Uncle-almost Elmore didn't live but 10 years of life, so I never met him.
He was the oldest child of my grandparents George and Ada Rogers of Galveston TX.

But I do have some wonderful sepia photos of him, thanks to the shutterbug (probably my grandfather Poppy) of the family.  Good clue to that is that he never appears in any photographs of the era!

 My favorite photo of Elmore, age 5, holding his bicycle and a model boat!

Elmore age 3, little brother Alexander 9 months, Galveston, TX 1909

Elmore age 2, Galveston Dec 1908

Elmore Gibbs Rogers age 2 years 7 mos, 1909

Elmore Gibbs Rogers held by his mother, Ada Phillips Swasey Rogers wearing her wedding dress.

In 1910 he was listed on the Galveston Census record of his family, age 4.
In 1912 his little brother Chauncey Sweet Rogers was born, to make 3 boys including Alexander who had been born when Elmore was 2.
In 1914 his little brother (my father) George Elmore was born, when Elmore was 8.

And in 1916 his little sister Ada Mary was born on Oct. 9.

He only lived a few more weeks, "drowning in the Crystal Pool in Galveston TX" (according to cemetery records at Lakeview Cemetery). I haven't been able to find any details about the Crystal Pool, but there's a Crystal Beach in Galveston.

The headstone includes his little sister who only lived less than 3 years herself.

Memorial marker for 2 Rogers children, photo by Floyd Manny Martin

My Uncle Jimmy wasn't born until 1922 (James Winston Rogers.)

Gen. John Archer Elmore

A repost of a blog from Sunday, September 29, 2013 (with some new additions and editing)

Gen. John Archer Elmore

Born on 21 Aug 1762 in Prince Edward County, Virginia, this Revolutionary War hero died on 24 Apr 1834 in Wetumpka, Autauga, Alabama, age 71.

Gen John Archer Elmore 1762-1834

Shall I tell you how I'm related first, or his story? Let's start with my family, which I admit I thought I knew more about.

My father's middle name was Elmore.  He never told me (and I did ask) who he was named after.  Well, for him he just said he was named after his father, because he was Junior.  So how did his father get Elmore for his middle name, when there were no Elmores anywhere in his family ancestry?

And ALSO, my father had a brother (the oldest of the family) named Elmore Gibbs Rogers (more about him on another post.)

Go WAAAAY back, and John Archer Elmore is actually our ancestor through a cousin.  (His descendant married the sister of one of my ancestors)  His daughter Sarah Saxon Elmore married Geroge W. Ross (MD?), their son George W. Ross married Elliott Gamble, their son (John) Elmore Ross married (Alice) Luella Rogers, sister of my great grandfather, William Sandford Rogers who married Elizabeth Bettie Bass, their son George Elmore Rogers Sr married Ada Phillips Swasey and their son was George Elmore Rogers Jr, my father.

He had 19 children, which means lots of people are his descendants!  Thank heavens they had 2 mothers.    His first wife's third child, Sophia Saxon Elmore at 15, married George W. Ross (age 31 and probably a doctor).  They lived in Laurens, South Carolina, and then Mississippi.  Their grandson, John Elmore Ross, married Alice Luella Rogers, (see Here for more on Alice Rogers Ross) the daughter of my3X great grandfather, George Washington Rogers. (Incidentally, my post about Alice Rogers Ross isn't entirely accurate!)

So why were these people in the Rogers family named after this Revolutionary War hero that was a cousin's ancestor after all?  I think many times we choose our families, when the ones we're born into can't provide what is needed.

My grandfather's (George Elmore Rogers) best friends were the Ross's, who lived in the same areas many times, but did not totally raise my grandfather and his sister as I thought earlier  (they lived with their mother, a widow much of their childhoods).  For all I know some of the Ross children were named after famous Rogers ancestors.  I don't think I'll chase that story however.

OK, you've patiently waited to hear about General Elmore.

Here is the way ancestor searches turn out: backward.  We start with where he remains, his tombstone.  From Mrs. P. H. Mell in (1904) Transactions, of the Alabama Historical Society, Vol. iv, pp. 541-2. 

 Elmore county was named in honor of Gen. Elmore. He was deservedly popular for his "candor, good sense and sociability."

He was buried in the old family burying ground at the old homestead, "Huntington," in Elmore county. The following inscription is upon his tombstone:

In Memory of Gen. John Archer Elmore, who was born in Prince Edward County, Va., August the 21st, 1762, and died in Autauga County, Ala., April 24th, 1834, aged 71 yrs. 8 mos. & 3 days. He was a soldier of the Revolution in the Virginia Line and afterwards a member of the Legislature of So. Ca., and a General in the militia. He was a member of the Legislature of Alabama and filled various other offices of Honor and Trust in both States. He was an affectionate husband, a kind and indulgent father, a humane master, A devoted friend, and a patriotic citizen.

He entered the Revolutionary service, a mere lad, in Greene's command in the Virginia line; was with him in his tour through the Carolinas, and with him at the surrender at Yorktown. This is shown by the archives in Washington; O'Neal's Bench and Bar of South Carolina, vol. ii, pp. 85, 88, and Brewer's Alabama, p. 109. After the Revolution he settled in Laurens district, South Carolina, and resided there many years, during which time he was often a member of the legislature. He moved to Autauga county, Alabama, in 1819 and served one term in the house of representatives from this county.

His first wife was Miss Saxon, by whom he had two sons: Hon. Franklin H. Elmore, of South Carolina, who succeeded Mr. Calhoun in the United States senate, and Benjamin F. Elmore, treasurer of South Carolina. His second wife, Miss Ann Martin, was a member of the famous Martin family of South Carolina, and descended also from the Marshall family of Virginia, and from Lieutenant Nathaniel Terry, of Virginia. By this second marriage there were five sons and several daughters."

Mrs. Mell didn't have all his children in her list, see below for more details of them.

In his later life:

C M Stanley article in The Alabama Journal, Sept 13, 1959: 

"He removed to Alabama in 1819, the same year the state was admitted to the Union, settling in Autauga County and in 1821 served in the Alabama legislature. When Elmore County was created, largely out of Autauga County, the new county was named for General Elmore as was the town of Elmore in the new county."

Continuing backward, here's more on how he came to Alabama...with some different dates given.

From "Elmore Family -p. 17:

Gen. John A. and Betsy --  "Reuben Jourdan came to Alabama about 1812 to 1814, with his father, sisters and brothers and children, and was followed next year by Gen. John Archer Elmore and family." 

Pickett, from Alabama also give this picture of the Justice of the courts:

"The legislature was exceedingly anxious to see the laws enforced; and, for
that purpose, selected magistrates from among the most respectable and
prominent men throughout the State. They discharged the same duties which
the Judges of the County Courts had done previous to the adoption of the
present Probate system, and as was the practice of Virginia. A few of those
now selected must be mentioned merely to show the determination of our then
infant State, to give tone and dignity to the administration of the laws,
even in inferior courts. For the county of Autauga, for instance, John A.
Elmore, John Armstrong, Robert Gaston, James Jackson and William R. Pickett
were elected magistrates.

    General John A. Elmore, one of these justices, was a native of South
Carolina, of the legislature of which State he had often been a respectable
member. Not long after his removal to Alabama, he represented the county of
Autauga in our legislature which then sat at Cahawba. He was a man of
firmness and much good sense, and always delivered his opinions, even in
common conversation, in a distinct and loud voice, with that candor and
honesty which characterized his conduct through life. He had a commanding
appearance, was large in person, and, altogether, an exceedingly fine
looking man. He delighted in the sports of the chase, being a most
successful and spirited hunter, and an agreeable companion in the many camp-
hunts in which he engaged with his neighbors and friends. Towards the close
of his life, we remember that he presented a dignified and venerable
appearance, and we saw him preside as chairman of several large and
exciting meetings in the town of Montgomery during the days of nullifi-
cation."(1)

(1) Albert James Pickett, History of Alabama and Incidentally of Georgia
and Mississippi, from the Earliest Period, (Birmingham Book and Magazine Co.: Birmingham, AL, 1962), pp. 662-663. 

Another mini-biography gives this family information:

Biography of John Archer Elmore - Autauga/Elmore Co.'s, AL
John Archer Elmore. An officer of the American Revolution, he was born
August 21, 1762, in Prince Edward County, Virginia, and died April 24, 1834,
in Autauga, now Elmore County. He was the son of Archelas and Susannah
(Morris) Elmore, the former a Quaker. He was a grandson of Thomas and Cicely
(Ellison) Elmore, of New Kent County, Virginia. General Elmore entered the
Continental Army while still a youth, and served under General Greene.

    General Elmore settled in Laurens District, South Carolina, after the
Revolution, resided there for many years and served in the legislature. In
1819 he removed to Alabama, settling in Autauga County, and in 1821,
represented the County in the legislature. When Autauga County was
subdivided the new county was named in his honor. The station of that name
being also named for his family.

    General Elmore was married to (1) Mary Ann Sarah Saxon, on March 1,
1788. He married (2) on March 14, 1805, to Mary Martin, a descendant of the
noted Martin family of South Carolina, also of the Marshall family of
Virginia, and of Lieutenant Nathaniel Terry, of Virginia.

    Children by his first wife were: l. Benjamin F., treasurer of South
Carolina, married Sarah Aurora Brevard. 2. Narcissa. 3. Sophia Saxon,
married George Ross. 4. Charlotte Perry, married Abner Crenshaw. 5. Franklin
Harper, who succeeded Calhoun in the U. S. Senate, married Harriet Chestnut.

    By his second wife, General Elmore was the father of: 6. Elizabeth S.,
married Dixon H. Lewis. 7. Sarah Terry, married Benjamin Fitzpatrick.
8. John Archer, married Laura Maria Martin. 9. Morris Martin. 10. William
Augustus, married (1) Mary Ann Morrison, (2) Julia Minor. 11. Luther Alfred.
12. Henry Marshall, married Elizabeth Harris. 13. Laurence Ludlow. 14.
Physick Rush, married Susan T. Nesbitt. 15. Winfield Scott. 16. Infant. 17.
James Scott. 18. Albert Standhope, married Mary Jane Taylor. 19. Ann
Harriet, married Joseph T. Hearn.

[Source: Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume III, page 558] 

 Sorry, I don't have the war records, which probably tell all about the battles in which Gen. Elmore took part.  That will have to be for other historians to research.

OK, this record is my supplement to what's on Ancestry.com, and perhaps will help me or my descendants find the correct information. 

2 comments:

Patricia Elmore said...

I am the great, great, great granddaughter of John Archer Elmore. I found your account of how his name entered into your family quite interesting. My lineage to JA Elmore is this: John Archer Elmore -> Henry Marshall Elmore -> William Augustus Elmore -> John Rugely Elmore -> William Augustus Elmore -> Patricia Elmore (me). Thanks for posting this.

April 14, 2014 at 1:01 AM

B. Rogers, Living in Black Mountain said...

Hi Patricia: So glad to know we're cousins, of whatever number removed! Thanks for commenting on a post that was a long time ago. I had to go read it again (at my age I don't remember all these details). And reading it again reminded me how many ancestors I still have to research and add for the benefit of my own descendants!

April 14, 2014 at 8:29 AM

Alexander Swasey Rogers, my uncle I never knew

Alexander Swasey Rogers b.10.13.1908, my father's older brother.

Alexander 9 mos, Elmore 3, Galveston, TX 1909  (Elmore died in 1916)

Alex (b.1908) & Chauncey (b.1912) and dog (Lussie?) 1209 Broadway, Galveston

Alex and Chauncey, Galveston. Alex is the older brother.

Alex (oldest) Chauncey and George Jr (my father, the youngest in white sailor outfit)

l to r, Chauncey, Zulie, George Jr, Alexander. 1917 (my grandmother's sister Stella Winslow had a daughter Zulie born in 1910 )

father of Claudette and Sandra
husband of Donna V

Oct 36, Alex on floor, George Sr, Chauncey, Donah V, Mataley and Ada Rogers

Uncle Alex was in WW II, I think in the Navy.  Incidentally, in Texas we called his name "Elick."

Uncle Alex died young, in VA hospital in Austin, TX 19 DEC 1949 of something secretive
but everything medical was secretive to Christian Scientists.  As a survivor of that religion, I've heard various stories, probably made up, and I'm not about to repeat them.  Sad that he wasn't around to raise his daughters, lovely young girls born 11 months apart.

Easter, 1948.  Before the egg hunt!  Gummy and Poppy, at home  in Houston (Ada and George Rogers Sr)
Claudette, Barbara, Mary Beth, and Sandra Rogers...cousins about to look for the golden egg!

While their father was hospitalized, their mother probably was in Austin as well.  So Claudette and Sandra stayed at their grandparents a lot of the time.

I remember my parents went to his funeral, and my sister and I were baby-sat by some neighbors. But it wasn't a home set up for a child as young as my sister, who climbed up the bunk bed steps and proceeded to fall off onto the floor.  That wasn't the first time she had done something like that...she also climbed attic steps in our house once, and fell down.   Anyway, I think I was sick with something during the baby-sitting episode, because I just remember sleeping in the bottom bunk most of the time.  I wish I had had a chance to know my Uncle Alex.