Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1896-02-21
Obituary..

the character of otners-Ex.
Obituary.
Jonathan Rogers died suddenly OF
heart disease, February II, 1896.
He was Is years and 2 days old.
His death was unexpected to all his
family, and while in the enjoyment
of comparative good health. Fre-
quently during the past year he ex-
pressed his apprehension that he
would pass away suddenly and in all
probability. was ready for the depar-
ture. He was the son of Jonathan
Rogers who was the third son of
Samuel Rogers, ard has spent nearly
all the active years of his life in our
county. He WAS one of the fore
most men in developing its resources.
His father was born in England in
1856 and came to America with his
parents in 1901 His oldest brother
had proceeded them and secured q
home for the reception of the family
near Philadelphia, where they res
manned for a year. Soon after they
had become settled Mr.. Rogers went
TO Northumberland and contracted
for the land on the Loyalsock, now
the site of Forksville. Here, he,
with his son, Jonathan. during the
summer and fail of 1901 made a
small clearing and erected cabin to
which he expected to bring the fami-
ly the following spring, but they re-
turned to the Philadelphia home for
the winter.
The family, in England, had been
engaged in woolen manufactory,
where they had learned to operate
power looms-a business at that time
not to any extent introduced in
America, The three Oldest sons of
Samuel Rogers leased factory in
Delaware and there successfully en-
gagged in business. Doubtless from
the start anticipating permanent
establishment of the business on the
Loyalsock and therefore arranged
with their father for site to build
factory. They commenced operation
In 1910; Samuel and William taking
charge of the Loyalsock factory at
that time and Jonathan remaining in
Delaware until 1913 when he closed
out the business and joined his
brothers on the Loyalsock. Here
the three carried on a very extensive
business until 1916 when the entire
plant was swept away by the great
flood OF that year.. In 1917 Jona>
than engaged in the same business
with his brother at Muncy, where
after 8 years successful operation
they again suffered the loss of their
property; this time by fire. The
brothers then desolyed partnership
and Jonathan with his family con-
sisting of wife and seven children,
settled at the Forks of Loyalsock
and in 1926 built the woolen factory
now known as the Osler property.
He continued here till the time of
his death in 1890, his wife survived
him short time. Leaving the subs
ject of this sketch an orphan at the
age of nine years. His first employ
ment was in the factory but as a
change occurred in the ownership
and management of the business he
sought other employment and en-
gagged in work at the saw mill and in
the lumber>woods. As early az
1888 he commenced running on RATS
down the Loyalsook, proving one of
the most expert in the business, he
was soon put iu charge o. pilot.
This business he regularly followed
during rafting season for over so
years. After he engaged in business
for himself he located at the splash
dan and operated at that
point Ior a short time. In 1853
he purchased the Lincoln Falls
property and year later removed
to that place. At this time Mr..
Rogers had probably accumulated
but little, but he had established his
reputation a. a successful lumber
man. At first the prices of manu-
iaetnred lumber Were IA low as 81 or
81 per thousand after being run
down the river, hut the prices soon
increased and the business became
more remunerative. lie was then
fully prepared TO increase his husi-
ness and from small beginning be.
came one Of the largest manaiae>
turars running the Lnyalsoek. lie
was especially noted Tor his success
In securing the hest Of roads In his
part Of ths county and In other re-
speets proved one Of the most On.
tefpFisina eitlzens, Without early
educational advantages he was intel.
leelasIIy fully abreast with .hs more
favored of our Amarlaan citizens and
eyineed many of tbs noble traits ol
hls distinguished ancestry, who
were especially noted far their
earnest piety aud usefulness in
uullIslfua tha elaxaatar AMI In atm