LAURA HUSON (ROGERS) THOMSON

Laura Huson (Rogers) Thomson
(Photo by Ancestry.com contributor thomaswc5)

Laura Huson (Rogers) Thomson gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. January 1871 in Illinois
D. May 9, 1940 in Libertyville, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Henry Rogers born April 1837 in Rochester, Monroe County, NY, son of Marvin Rogers (1805-1878) and Emily (Smith) Rogers (1803-1872); General merchandiser in Volo; moved from New York to Michigan in 1852 and to Lake County, IL in 1854; Town clerk and collector of Volo; Postmaster of Forksville (Volo) from 1865 to 1867; Henry died October 26, 1913 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL; buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Waukegan, Lake County, IL

According to the Lake County Independent/Waukegan Weekly Sun (Libertyville IL) Friday, October 31, 1913, page 1:

“PIONEER LAKE
CO. MERCHANT
PASSED AWAY
—–
Well Known Retired Merchant
of City and County, Victim of
Heart Trouble.
—–
HAD REACHED 76TH YEAR.
—–
Was a Pioneer Merchant in
Volo and Later Moved to
Waukegan.
—–

   Henry Rogers, a pioneer country merchant of Lake county, died about midnight Sunday a. m., corner of West and Clayton street, Waukegan, heart failure being the cause.  He was not sick over twenty-five minutes, his last attack of the ailment which had bothered him off and on for years, being such that it barely gave his family time to gather at his bedside before the end came.
  Mr. and Mrs. Charles Raught have been living with their parents for some time and Mrs. Rogers at once called them after she noticed the attack coming on her husband.  Mr. Foley was called but Mr. Rogers passed away shortly after he arrived, 12:15 being given as the hour.
   Mrs. John Sutherland, another daughter, was summoned at once after the attack came on her father but she did not arrive until five minutes after the end had come.
   For two years past Mr. Rogers had not been any too well, an attack of heart trouble first coming on him about that time.  The attacks came at intervals since and, six months ago they became so severe that he had not been able to be down town since then, remaining closely at home and guarding his weakened heart.
   Accordingly, in face of the frequent attacks, he end did not come without due warning and, as Mr. Rogers was 76 years of age, it could not be expected he could withstand the attacks much longer.
   Mr. Rogers was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 11, 1837.  In 1854 he came to Volo, Lake county and opened up a general store there which he conducted with marked success for thirty-four years, moving to Waukegan in 1891 where, for eleven years he conducted a store on Washington street adjacent to Brewster’s store.  He closed out the store and since then led a retired life.
   Mr. Rogers’ married to Rhoda Ann Huson, who belonged to a well known family near Volo, took place May 22, 1856, in McHenry, and to them eight children were born, three of whom have passed away.  The surviving children are: Mrs. Charles Raught of Waukegan; Mrs. Orlie Howard of Round Lake; Mrs. John Sutherland, Waukegan; Mrs. Chat Thompson, Grayslake; Mrs. Orville St. Peter, Highland Park.
   There are twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
   Mr. Rogers never belonged to any fraternal societies and held no political offices excepting town clerk of Wauconda township for many years.  He never aspired to office but could have had anything he wished if he showed the desire, so highly regarded was he among his acquaintances when in active life.

   Sons as Pallbearers.

   Funeral from the house Tuesday at 1:30, friends and relatives invited; burial in Oakwood cemetery, Waukegan, private, Rev. Funston of the Methodist church in charge.  Music by Mrs. Thomas and Newton Finn.
   Mr. Rogers’ sons-in-law, five in number, with his only grandson, Carl Atterbury, chief police of Waukegan, acted as pallbearers.”

According to the Libertyville Independent (Libertyville IL) Thursday, November 4, 1926, page 2:

“MRS. ROGERS SAW
FIRST TRAIN RUN
FROM CHICAGO
Passing of Pioneer Resident
Recalls First Trip on North-
western on Jan. 20, 1855.

   Mrs. Rhoda Ann Rogers was born in Dundee, N. Y., May 12, 1841 and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Raught, Oct. 29, 1926, making her 85 years of age.  When four years old she came to Illinois where she has always resided.  She married to Henry Rogers, of Rochester, N. Y., May 22 1856.  She always lived a quiet life and devoted to her home and family.
   Mr. Rogers for many decades ran hte (sic) biggest general store in Volo and conducted a store on Washington street, Waukegan, after moving to the county seat.
   Eight children came to bless their happy home.
            Mrs. Millie Raught, Waukegan
            Mrs. Nellie Howard, Round Lake
            Mrs. Rhoda Sutherland, (deceased.)
            Mrs. Laura Thomson, Libertyville.
            Mrs. Bessie St. Peter, Highland Park.
   Three children died at the ages of four, six and fourteen years.
   In 1854 she attended school at the old Waukegan Academy.  Judge Clark being the principal.
   Transportation was made from Volo to Waukegan by stage.
   January 20, 1855, she witnessed the first train to come into Waukegan from Chicago, taking three hours to make the run.
   She moved from Volo to Waukegan in 1891.

Gone Dear Mother gone forever,
How we miss your loving face;
But you left us to remember
None on earth can fill  your place
The happy home we once enjoyed.
How sweet the memory still,
But death has left a lonesomeness
The world can never fill.

   Funeral Tuesday at 1:30 from the residence, corner of Clayton and West street, Waukegan.  Burial in Oakwood.”

  • Husband: Chauncy Lusk Thomson born May 30, 1868 in Avon Township, Lake County, IL, son of William Thomson (1842-1909) and Alice E. (Lusk) Thomson (1846-1918); married Laura Huson Rogers on November 25, 1890 in Lake County, IL; Chauncy died February 16, 1940 in Libertyville, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Chauncy Lusk Thomson buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
    1. Forrest C. Thomson born August 27, 1895 in Illinois; veteran Private 1st Class, Company B, 108 Engineers, 33rd Division (1917-1919); married Ruth D. (1901-1977); Forrest died August 19, 1948; Forrest and Ruth are buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Libertyville, Lake County, IL
    2. George Harold Thomson born August 24, 1902 in Illinois; married (1) Harriet Elma Loftus (1912-1969), daughter of John H. Loftus (1861-1945) and Nettie Hanna (Nordmeyer) Loftus (1885-1964); married (2) Eunice H. (Kuehl) Menter (1917-2000), daughter of Henry Kuehl (1881-1955) and Lena (Schneider) Kuehl (1877-1967); George died July 12, 1980 in Lake Forest, Lake County, IL; George and Harriet are buried in Ivanhoe Cemetery, Mundelein, Lake County, IL

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Monday, July 14, 1980, page 51:

“THOMSON
George H. Thomson, July 12, 1980, at Lake Forest Hospital, elected Republican Precinct Committeeman in Libertyville and Chariman of the Libertyville Township Republican Central Committee, loving husband of Eunice; father of Duane (Louise) Menter of Prairie View; grandfather of three; uncle of Carl (Lorraine) Thomson of Ingleside.  Funeral services 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, Libertyville.  Interment Ivanhoe Cemetery.  Visitation 3 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Burnett Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave., Libertyville, 362-3009.”

  • Siblings:
    • Adella Rogers bor in 1857 in Lake County, IL; Adella died in 1863 in Lake County, IL; buried in the Volo Cemetery, Wauconda, Lake County, IL
    • Judson Rogers born in 1858 in Lake County, IL; Judson died in 1863 in Lake County, IL, in Lake County, IL; buried in the Volo Cemetery, Wauconda, Lake County, IL
    • Millie C. (Rogers) Raught born September 5, 1863 in Volo, Lake County, IL; married Charles A. Raught (1858-1930), son of Albert Raught (1835-1905) and Charity Raught (1834-1919); Millie died August 14, 1946 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL; Millie and Charles are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Lake County, IL

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Friday, August 16, 1946, page 14:

“Mrs. Millie C. Raught
   Services for Mrs. Millie C. Raught, 82, a life long resident of Lake county, will be held at 2 p. m. today at 1521 Washington st., Waukegan, with burial in Oakwood cemetery.  Mrs. Raught died Wednesday in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Carl Atterbery, 404 S. Sheridan rd.  She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rogers, pioneer settlers in Lake county.  Mrs. Raught was born in Volo and came to Waukegan in 1891.  Surviving in addition to her daughter are three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a sister, Mrs. Orville St. Peter of Waukegan.”

    • Nellie Elizabeth (Rogers) Howard born August 21, 1865 in Volo, Lake County, IL; married Orlando A. Howard (1863-1935); Nellie died June 10, 1936 in Round Lake, Lake County, IL; Nellie and Orlando are buried in Grant Cemetery, Ingleside, Lake County, IL
    • Rhoda Ann (Rogers) Sutherland born July 24, 1867 in Volo, Lake County, IL; married John A. Sutherland (1861-1922); Rhoda died October 2, 1924 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL; Rhoda and John are buried in Sand Lake Cemetery, Lake Villa, Lake County, IL

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, October 9, 1924, page 7:

“Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Thompson attended the funeral of Mrs. Rhoda Sutherland at Waukegan Saturday afternoon.  Mrs. Sutherland, a former Volo girl and a sister of Mrs. Thompson, died at the Victory Memorial hospital Thursday night after a short illness caused by uremic poisoning.”

    • Henry Wellington “Willie” Rogers born 1877 in Volo, Lake County, IL; Henry died December 31, 1891 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL; burial location unknown

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Wednesday, January 13, 1892, page 5:

“The friends and acquaintances of Mr. Henry Roger’s family, late of Volo, were greatly shocked and pained New Years morning to learn that “Willie,” the only son, had died the night before, only five hours before the dawn of the New Year. Indeed, but few knew he was sick, as his illness was only of two days duration. He never was strong and robust, as are most boys, and his healthy deteriorated rather than improved since the family removed to Waukegan, though he took the fall term of school and had kept his place in the winter term till the holiday recess. He was a boy of rare sweetness and purity, so that all who knew him felt that those white roses on his casket, some so thoughtfully sent by his teacher, and some by other friends, were fitting emblems of his young life and noble character. He left a stricken family – father and mother, five sisters and four brothers-in-law, as his immediate relatives to mourn his early and, to our human vision, untimely death.
   The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the house, 303 West street, conducted by Rev. R. H. Pate, the family pastor. The above facts we learn from the Waukegan Post.”

    • Bessie S. (Rogers) St. Peter born November 1878 in Illinois; married Orville Gilbert St. Peter (1879-1952), son of Alfred J. St. Peter (1844-1917) and Mary Ann (Mowers) St. Peter (1840-1919); Bessie died September 23, 1952; Bessie and Orville are buried in Northshore Garden of Memories, North Chicago, Lake County, IL

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Wednesday, September 24, 1952, page 57:

“Mrs. Bessie Rogers St. Peter
   Mrs. Bessie Rogers St. Peter, 73, of 217 Gillett av., Waukegan, died yesterday in Victory Memorial hospital, Waukegan.  She was the widow of Orville G. St. Peter, Waukegan civic leader and owner of a cleaning establishment, who died last May.  She leaves two daughters, Mrs. Harry Clavey and Mrs. Theodore Schmitt.  Services will be held at 2 p. m. tomorrow in the chapel at 409 N. Sheridan rd., Waukegan.  Burial will be in Northshore Garden of Memories.”

Additional Information:

According to the 1880 U.S. Census in the Hamlet of Volo, Wauconda, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Henry Rogers, age 43, married, occupation: general store, born in New York, parents born in Connecticut; Rhoda A. Rogers, wife, married, born in New York, parents born in New York; Millie Rogers, age 16, daughter, single, born in Illinois; Nellie Rogers, age 15, daughter, born in Illinois; Rhoda Rogers, age 13, daughter, born in Illinois; Laura H. Rogers, age 9, daughter, born in Illinois; Henry W. Rogers, age 3, son, born in Illinois; Bessie S. Rogers, age 1, daughter, born in Illinois”

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for Avon Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Chauncy Thomson, head, born May 1868, age 32, married 9 years, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; Laura Thomson, wife, born Jan 1871, age 29, married 9 years, 1 child born, 1 child living, born in Illinois, father born in New York, mother born in Illinois, Forest Thomson, son, born August 1895, age 4, single, born in Illinois; John Globis, servant, born April 1855, age 25, single, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated in 1893, 7 years in U.S., occupation: farm laborer”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Avon Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Chauncy L. Thomson, head, age 41, married once for 19 years, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois, occupation: farmer – general farm; Laura H. Thomson, wife, age 38, married once for 19 years, 2 children born, 2 children living, born in Illinois, father born in New York, mother born in Illinois; Forrest C. Thomson, son, age 14, single, born in Illinois; George H. Thomson, son, age 7, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Avon Township, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Chauncey Thomson, head, age 51, married, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; occupation: farmer – dairy farm; Laura H. Thomson, wife, age 49, married, born in Illinois, parents born in New York; Forest Thomson, son, age 24 single, born in Illinois, occupation: farm laborer – dairy farm; George H. Thomson, son, age 17, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Libertyville Village, Libertyville Township, Lake county, IL living at 160 West Lincoln Ave, the household members were:

“Chancy L. Thomson, head, age 61, married at age 22, born in Illinois, parents born in Illinois; Laura H. Thomson, wife, age 59, married at age 20, born in Illinois, parents born in New York; George H. Thomson, son, age 27, single, born in Illinois, occupation: electrician – store; Clifford Gustafson, roomer, age 23, single, born in Illinois, parents born in Sweden, occupation: official – state”

According to the Independent Review (Libertyville IL) May 16, 1940:

“Mrs. Thomson, Of Old County Family, Dead
   Mrs. Chauncey Thomson, 61, whose late husband’s family, as well as her own, were beloved pioneers of Lake county, died Thursday morning, May 9, at her home, 160 w. Lincoln ave., Libertyville.  She was the former Laura Huson, daughter of Henry and Rhoda A. Rogers of Volo.
   Mr. Thomson died last February.  During their married life they lived on a farm at Fort Hill until 15 years ago when they moved to Libertyville.  One son, George, is in the laundry business here.  A grandson, Karl Thomson, is a student at Libertyville township high school.
   Another son, Forest, lives at the old homestead which has been in the family more than one hundred years.
   The Rogers family came from the east, and operated a store in Volo for forty years.
   Three sisters are dead, and two are living in Waukegan.  They are Mrs. Orville St. Peter of 210 Gillette ave. and Mrs. Charles A. Raught of 204 N. West st.
   Mrs. Thomson was buried at Fort Hill on Saturday afternoon after a service at the residence at 2 p.m.”