Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-23
EARLIEST RESIDENT DEAD.
Hon. Patrick Rogan Passes Away Last
Wednesday Night.

Wednesday Night.
Shortly before 10 o'clock last
Wednesday evening all that was NOR
tai of the Hon. Patrick Rogan passed
to the other world, The cause of
death was paralysis, with which the
deceased was stricken about two
weeks previously. Up to that time
Mr.. Rogan had enjoyed excellent
health and was remarkably well pre-
served for a person of his age, having
attained nearly four score years and
ten. The end came peacefully at Mr..
Rogan's home on West Main street,
surrounded by the remaining men,
bers of his household-his daughters,
the Misses Rose and Ella, and his
sons, Eugene, Edward and Louis.
The death of Mr.. Rogan removes
from our midst the last remaining
representative of those hardy pioneers
who settled on the banks Of the Rock
in the latter '30's and founded the
city of WATERFOWL, then known as
Johnson's Rapids. During the entire
period of his residence here-nearly
sixty-one years-Mr Rogan took an
active interest in the city's welfare
and most of the time was prominent
in her political, industrial and social
circles. He was a person Of more
than ordinary ability, finely equipped
to serve his fellows in most any capa-
city to which they called him, and
withal perfect gentleman and scholar.
The history of his life-work among us
exhibits his influence for good and his
attachments along material lines, and
we vouchsafe that the memory of none
| of her citizens will be more revered
| by WatertOwn than will that of Mr..
Rogan. And now that his earthly
labors are finished he has gone to
meet his just reward in the home
above.
Mr.. Rogan first saw the light at
Ross Gloss, County Down, Ireland,
September 26, 1903. In 1928 he emf
grated to America and lived for two
years in Canada, after which he set
tied in Jefferson county, n. Y. On
May Is, 1887, he came to the present
site of Watertown and took up a gov
eminent land claim on the west side
Of the river, a portion of which he
cleared and engaged in farming. His
drSt home was near the present Amerl-
can house. Later he erected a fine
home where Sacred Heart college now
! stands, which he in time disposed of
| and then built the residence on West
Main street where he died. In 1874
Mr.. ROgan constructed saw mill on
the west bank of the river and con-
tinued to operate it until 1858. He was
also engaged in the contracting and
building business in those early days,
and when the old Milwaukee Plank
road was constructed he was one of
the stockholders of the enterprise
He was also one Of the organizers of
the Watertown Gas company. His
efforts were used to secure railroads
for WatertOwn, and in many other
ways Mr.. Rogan did much to further
the advancement of the young city
and to add to her standing and i'm
pOrtance. He was a public-spirited
citizen in every sense Of the word.
Politically Mr.. Rogan was called to
almost every office within the gift of
the people. He was member OF the
first constitutional convention Of Wis
cousin in 1916; served as a member of
| the legislature in 1851, '53, 80 and
SIS; secured the passage of the act
! providing for our common school sys-
TEN in 1855, thus being the originator
Of the system that has been success
/ fully conducted ever since; was at
numerous times elected to municipal,
town and county offices, serving as
| chairman of the board Of supervisors
several terms. Mr.. Rogan was post
master of Watertown for eight years,
being first appointed by President
| Tyler and then reappointed by Presi-
! dent Polk. AS a servant of the people
| he was always upright, honest and
/ just, and no suspicion of wrong doing
was ever breathed against him.
On January II, 1916, the deceased
was married by Bishop Quarters in
Chicago to Rose Crangle, who departed
this life in 1898. The surviving mem
bers of this union are those above
| named.
Mr.. Rogan was the founder of the
congregation of St. Bernard's church
and his early exertions did much to
build up an influential organization.
At the time of his death he was the
church's Oldest member. His funeral
was held from there Saturday morning
and the body laid to rest in ST. Bern
ards cemetery.