Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1903-07-30
HON. w. c. ROGERS DEAD.
Former Republican ASsemblyman and
Ex-Associate Judge nassed Peacefully
Away Saturday Morning.


It becomes the News Items sad
duty this week to chronicle the sud-
den and untimely death of Hon.
William G. Rogers, of Forksville.
The death of Mr.. Rogers removes
from our midst a most useful and re-
spected citizen and the entire county
has sustained an irreparable loss.
For several months Mr.. Rogers had
been in poor health but his condition
was not considered alarming until
few weeks ago. The best of medical
aid was summoned and it was finally
decided that only an operation could
save his life. He was taken to the
Pennsylvania University Hospital
in Philadelphia about two weeks ago
and after few days rest submitted
to- an operation by one of the most
skillful surgeons in the country.
But the most consummate surgical
skill proved unavailing and shortly
after midnight last Faiday he breath
ed his last.
William Claiming Rogers was the
eldest son of Hon. M. A. Rogers of
Forksville. He was born in 1859
and with the exception of the time
spent while in attendance at school
his entire life has been lived in this
county. During his early manhood
he assisted his father in carrying on
the extensive mercantile business at
Forksville. Shortly after graduation
he took permanent position in the
store and later became partner in
the business which his father had
established and ably managed for
many years. For almost twenty
years the firm of MA. Rogers 4 Son
has been recognized as one of the
most reliable, progressive and ably
conducted mercantile establishments
in this section of the state. Mr..
Rogers had rare business tact and
ability and he gave the business the
full benefit of his energy and good
judgment. His courteous, honor
able methods of business gained for
him the esteem of all, and his genial
disposition and splendid personal
qualities made him exceedingly pop
ular. Although a very busy man
Mr.. Rogers took keen interest in
everything pertaining to progress
and development along business and
political lines. He kept pace with
all that transpired in these fields of
activity and was one of the most ex-
tensive readers and we'll versed men
on public affairs to be found any
where. His leisure hours were al
ways profitably spent with his pa
pers, magazines and books, and the
field of literature was both delight
full and familiar one to him.
Twice Mr.. Rogers was called by his
fellow citizens to public positions of
honor and trust. In 1886 when but
twenty-seven years of age, although
the candidate of the minority party
in this county, he was elected as
Representative to the State Legisla-
ture and served his county with
credit and fidelity. In 1899 he was
appointed by Governor: Stone as As
sociate Judge to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Hon. C.
Kraus. In every position he was
called upon to fill, as we'll as in bus
iness and private lite, he performed
his duties ably and honorably.
Mr.. Rogers was a consistent men,
her of the NJ. +. church and his life
was an exemplification of christian
manhood. He was also connected
with several social organizations.
The funeral services were in charge
of the Knight Templar branch of the
Masonic order and were beautiful
and impressive. The manifest sOr-
row shown by the large concourse of
people who followed the remains to
their last resting place and the ex-
pressions of regret and sympathy
heard upon every side show the feel
ing of personal loss sustained by the
community and county.
Besides the bereaved widow Mr..
Rogers leaves to survive him son,
Guy M. Rogers, now in college, his
parents, Hon. MA. Rogers and wife,
two brothers, DR.. Chas. Rogers of