JAMES CECIL ROGERS

Ruth Irene (Danby) Rogers and James Cecil Rogers
(Photo from Ancestry.com contributor Amanda Rogers)

James Cecil Rogers gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. September 6, 1892 in Wadesboro Township, Anson County, NC
M. WW I Veteran (September 21, 1917 – July 18, 1919) 1st Sergeant , Army Hdgs Detachment Army Service Corps AEF (American Exepeditionary Forces)
D. April 14, 1960
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: George Washington Rogers born November 15, 1847 in Anson County, NC son of Calvin Rogers and Lydia (Howell) Rogers; George died December 18, 1909 in Wadesboro, Anson County, NC; buried in Long Pine United Methodist Church Cemetery, Long Pine, Anson County, NC

According to the Messenger and Intelligencer (Wadesboro NC) Monday, December 20, 1909, page 1:

“GEO. W. ROGERS DEAD.
———-
Well Known Citizen Passed Away Sat-
urday Night — Was Prominent in
Politics and Had Been a Justice of the
Peace a Number of Years.

   Mr. George Washington Rogers died at his late home in Wadesboro Saturday night at 12 o’clock, aged 64 years.  Several weeks ago Mr. Rogers suffered a slight stroke of paralysis.  However he rallied from this to such an extent that he was able to attend to a limited amount of business.  Thursday morning he suffered another stroke and from that time on he gradually grew weaker and weaker until the end.
   Mr. Rogers was a native of Union, but moved to this county while yet a young man.  Some 30 years ago he married Miss Ida Watson, a daughter of the late J. M. Watson, of White Store township, and settled in that township.  In 1888 the late Capt. John W. McGregor was elected sheriff of the county, and Mr. Rogers was by him offered the position of keeper of the county jail.  He accepted the place and moved to Wadesboro and from that time until his death was a citizen of the town.  He served as jailer during the entire term of office – four years – of Capt. McGregor, and, notwithstanding the fact that there were no steel cells in the jail at that time, not a single prisoner escaped while he had the jail in charge.
   In 1896 Mr. Rogers was a candidate before the Democratic primaries for sheriff.  He made one of the most remarkable fights known in the political history of the county.  Without family connection in the county – he being a native of Union – he was defeated by only a small majority, in the second primary, by the incumbent of the office, ex Sheriff J. T. Gaddy, who had made a most excellent official and was himself a most popular man with a very large family connection.  The scars left by this exceedingly bitter contest are not healed yet, as many who took a active part in the fight live to remember.
   Mr. Rogers always took an active interest in public affairs and for many years exerted considerable political influence.  Ten or twelve years ago he was elected a justice of the peace for Wadesboro township and continued to hold the position until his death.  He performed the duties of this important office with fidelity and ability.  No community ever had a better justice of the peace.
   Mr. Rogers chief asset was his good, horse sense.  He had never had the advantage of much schooling but notwithstanding this deprivation few persons had a clearer insight into the rights and wrongs of a proposition than he.
   “Judge” Rogers, as he was affectionately called by those who knew him best, as a big, kind hearted man who loved his friends and stuck to them through thick and thin.
   Mr. Rogers is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Jack Morton and Miss George Rogers, of Gastonia, and three sons, Messrs. Firman Rogers, of Asheville, Charley Rogers, of Spartanburg, and James Rogers, of Wadesboro, all of whom were at his bedside when he died.
   The remains were taken to Long Pine this morning, were (sic) they were laid to rest by the side of those of his wife, who died a number of years ago.”

  • Mother: Ida Martha (Watson) Rogers born May 28, 1864, daughter of James Madison Watson (1834-1899) and Mary (Griggs) Watson (1834-1913); Ida died February 13, 1900; buried in Long Pine United Methodist Church Cemetery, Long Pine, Anson County, NC
  • Wife: Ruth Irene (Danby) Rogers born May 22, 1895 in Canada; married September 13, 1920 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; last residence in Round Lake, Lake County, IL; Ruth died June 1973

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Wednesday, June 13, 1973, page 86:

“Rogers – Ruth Irene Rogers of Round Lake, beloved wife of the late James C.; dear mother of James D.; loving grandmother of three; sister of Mrs. Minnie Loyst of Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada.  Services Friday 11 a. m. MacGillis Funeral Home, 350 Goodnow Blvd, Round Lake.  Friends may call Thursday after 4 p. m.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Shriners Crippled Children’s Home. 546-3300.”

  • Children:
    1. James Dewitt Rogers born October 23, 1931 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; veteran of the U.S. Army Korea (November 21, 1952 – September 29, 1954), Corporal; married Georgette Heinemann (1935-1975) on June 9, 1956 in Cook County, IL daughter of George Heinemann and Josephine (Torma) Heinemann; Georgette is buried in Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, DuPage County, IL; James died September 10, 1996; buried in National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ

“According to the Arizona Republic (Phoenix AZ) Friday, September 13, 1996, page 30:

“James D. Rogers, 64, of Scottsdale, an administrator, died Sept. 10, 1996.  He was born in Chicago.  Survivors include his wife, Maryann; daughters, Terri, Dena, Amanda, Cheryl, Dawn and Jodi; and three grandchildren.  Services: 1 p.m. Friday, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4735 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85015.  Contributions: to the church.  Hansen Chapel.”

  • Siblings:
    • Hattie Eugenia (Rogers) Morton born October 26, 1884 in Whites Store Township, Anson County, NC; married John Dudley “Jack” Morton (1877-1975) son of Peter Franklin Morton (1839-1923) and Narcissa Weaver (Williams) Morton (1849-1935); Hattie died January 26, 1963 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC; Hattie and John are buried in Anson Memorial Park, Wadesboro, Anson County, NC

“According to the Charlotte Observer (Charlotte NC) Monday, January 28, 1963, page 2:

“LILESVILLE – Mrs. Jack D. Morton, 78, of Lilesville died Saturday in a Charlotte hospital.  Funeral 3 p.m. today, a graveside service at Anson Memorial Park near Wadesboro.
   Survivors: husband; brother, Charlie Rogers of Morrow, Ga.”

    • Furman Baxter Rogers born April 24, 1887 in Whites Store Township, Anson County, NC; married Mary Gabriel (1895-1970); Furman died January 14, 1953 in Richland County, SC; Furman and Mary are buried in West Oakwood Cemetery, Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC
    • Charles Carr Rogers born October 20, 1889 in Wadesboro Township, Anson County, NC; married Laura May West (1893-1971); Charles died June 24, 1974; Charles and Laura are buried in Forest Hills Memorial Gardens, Forest Park, Clayton County, GA

According to the Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta GA) Wednesday, June 26, 1974, page 31:

“C. C. Rogers
Dies; Retired
News Printer

   Services for Charles Carl (C.C.) Rogers, 84, of 5002 East St., Forest Park, will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Dickson’s Phillips Drive chapel, burial in Forest Park Memorial Park.
   Mr. Rogers, who died of a heart attack Monday, was a printer for the Atlanta Newspapers from 1950 to 1954, when he retired.
   Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Emily Keller of Forest Park, and sons, G. E. Rogers of Roswell, C. C. Rogers Jr. of Morrow and R. M. Rogers of Ambler, Pa.”

    • Georgia Watson (Rogers) Muse born September 4, 1895 in Wadesboror Township, Anson County, NC; married John McCallie Muse (1886-1955) on December 24, 1915 in Mechlenburg County, NC, son of Henry J. Muse (1857-1933) and Frances (Garmon) Muse (1861-1942); Georgia died January 15, 1958 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC; Georgia and John are buried in Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC.

According to the Charlotte Oberserver (Charlotte NC) Friday, January 17, 1958, page 41:

“MRS. GEORGIA ROGERS
MUSE

   Mrs. George Rogers Muse, of 2023 Greenway Ave., widow of John M. Must, died Wed. night Jan. 15, in a local hospital after an illness of seven months.  Mr.s Muse was born Sept 4, 1895, in Wadesboro, daughter of the late George W. and Ida Watson Rogers.  She was a member of Hawthorne Lane Methodist Church.  Until her retirement due to ill health, she was with the pediatric department of Memorial Hospital for over 10 years.  Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Maryon Meachem, Miss Charlotte May Muse, and Mrs. Carolyn Muse Smith; two sons, John R. and Oren E. Muse, all of Charlotte; a sister, Mrs. Hattie R. Morton of Lylesville; two brothers, C. C. Rogers of Atlanta, Ga., and J. C. Rogers of Chicago, Ill.; and six grandchildren.  Funeral services will be held at 4:15 o’clock today from the Harry and Bryant Chapel in the Oaks.  The Reverend Herbert Garmon, pastor of First Methodist Church of Rutherfordton, and the Reverend Richard Colen, pastor of Amity Presbyterian Church, will officiate.  Interment will be in Sharon Memorial Park.  Active pallbearers are David H. Coates, Howard H. Johnson, Jr., Charles H. Muse, Fred H. Stroupe, Jr., William P. Allen, Bynum A. Lamb, Robert Lee Hendley, II and Joseph H. Woodruff, Jr.”

Additional Information:

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for Wadelsboro Town, Wadelsboro Township, Anson County, NC the household members were:

“George W. Rogers, head, born November 1847, age 52, widowed, born in North Carolina, parents born in North Carolina, occupation: constable; Hattie E. Rogers, daughter, born November 1884, age 15, single, born in North Carolina; Furman B. Rogers, son, born May 1887, age 13, single, born in North Carolina, occupation: typesetter; Charles C. Rogers, son, born October 1889, age 10, single, born in North Carolina, occupation: typesetter; James C. Rogers, son, born September 1892, age 8, single, born in North Carolina; Georgie Rogers, daughter, born September 1895, age 5, single, born in North Carolina”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Wadesboro Town, Wadesboro Township, Anson County, NC, the household members were:

“Lannie Watson, head, age 54, single, born in South Carolina, father born in South Carolina, mother born in North Carolina, Occupation: none; Mary Watson, Mother, age 75, Wd, born in North Carolina, parents born in North Carolina, Occupation: none; James Rogers, Boarder, age 19, Single, born in North Carolina, parents born in North Carolina, Occupation: none”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 771 Congress Street, the household members were:

“Albert J. Kroll, head, age 37, married, born in Illinois, parents born in Germany, occupation: switchman – railroad; Margaret Kroll, wife, age 40, married, born in Illinois, parents born in Ireland; Margaret Burke, mother-in-law, age 72, widowed, immigrated in 1865, naturalized in 1872, born in Ireland, parents born in Ireland; James Rogers, boarder, age 27, single, born in North Carolina, parents born in North Carolina, occupation: type setter – printing”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 516 California Ave., the household members were:

“James C. Rogers, head, age 38, married at age 28, born in North Carolina, parents born in North Carolina, occupation: cleaners; Ruth I. Rogers, wife, age 34, married at age 24, born in Canada, parents born in Canada, immigrated in 1921, occupation: helper”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 516 California, the household members were:

“James C. Rogers, head, age 48, married, highest grade completed: C2, born in North Carolina, lived in same house in 1935, proprietor – cleaning store; Irene Rogers, wife, age 43, married, highest grade completed: C1, born in Canada, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: assistant – cleaning store; James Dewitt Rogers, son, age 8, single, highest grade completed: 2, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942:

“Name: James Cecil Rogers; Place of Residence: 516 S. California Ave., Chgo, Cook County, Ill; Mailing Address: Same; Telephone: Kedzie 5410; Age in Years: 49; Date of Birth: Sept 6 1892; Place of Birth: Wadesboro, N. Carolina; Name and Address of Person Who will Always know your Address: Mrs. J. D. Morton, Lilesville, N. Carolina; Employer’s Name and Address: Self. 516 S. California Ave., Chgo. Ill.; Place of Employment: Same; Race: White; Height: 5′ – 7 1/2″; Weight: 260 lbs; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light; Signed: Apr 27, 1942”

 According to the U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963:

“Name of Deceased: Rogers, James C; Enlistment Date: 9-21-17; Discharge Date: 7-18-19 Hon; Service No.: 2081114; Pension or VA Claim No. : XC20464249; State: Illinois; Grade: 1st Sgt; Medals: n/a; Branch of Service, Company, Regiment, and Division or Ship: Hdgs Det. Army Service Corps AEF, Army; Date of Birth: 9-6-92; Date of Death: 4-14-60; Emblem: none; Check Type Require: Flat Granite Marker; Ship To: Bernard Vogt, Round Lake, Ill; Freight Station: Round Lake, Illinois; Name and Location of Cemetery: Fort Hill Cemetery, Round Lake, Illinois; Name and Address of Applicant: Ruth Rogers, 2449 W. Harrison St, Chicago, Ill; Signed: 4-21-60”

According to the Chicago Daily News (Chicgo IL) Friday, April 15, 1960, page 33″

“ROGERS – James C. Rogers, beloved husband of Irene, fond father of James D, funeral Saturday, from chapel, 2322 W. Harrison st., under the auspices of Old Glory Lodge, No. 975, A.F. & A.M.”