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Rogers
Philip Rogers born Co. Louth
1812 (brought to Watertown, Jefferson Co., NY by parents James Rogers &
Catherine McGregor), died Ridgeville (Evanston), Cook Co., IL 1856
 1850
Census, Illinois, COOK CO, RIDGEVILLE Township; Roll: M432_103; Page 64 (image
at left needs resizing to be legible); Phillip Rogers age 40 born Ire; Mary
Rogers age 40 born Ire; Phillip Rogers age 4 born IL; Catherine Rogers age 6
born IL
1855 Illinois State Census shows for Cook County (from the Illinois State
Archives), Ridgeville Township, Cook II, page 64A, line 20-22, Census or Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the Town of Ridgeville, Philip Rodgers, etc.
 The
picture at right is of Sir Henry Irwin (1838-1905), a noted British actor of his
time, but Philip Rogers' relatives, having no pciture of Philip, were said to
keep a picture Sir Henry in their home because of his resemblance to
Philip.
Chicago Tribune - IN ROGERS PARK, ALL ARE WELCOME - Published on 02/22/1996, Article 3 of 15 found. (1169 words) Rogers Park was a grassy prairie land dotted with birch trees when Philip Rogers, an Irish immigrant, plopped down $1.25 to buy an acre of land there in the mid-1800s. One-thousand-five-hundred-and-ninety-nine acres later, Rogers had a thriving truck farm called "Rogers Ridge" and was joined by Irish, Scottish, German and English families living off the fertile land. The prairie was a mix of nationalities, though only a Caucasian one.
HISTORY OF EARLY CHICAGO - MODERN CHICAGO AND ITS SETTLEMENT EARLY CHICAGO, AND THE NORTHWEST BY ALBERT D. HAGER, page 417, TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.--The town of Ridge-ville (or "Ridgevill," as it is called in the old records,) was one of the first to be organized under the act of 1849, which went into effect in April, 1850. The first election was held on the second of that month, the Moderator, Ebenezer Bennet, "making proclamation in a loud voice," at the door of George Reed's house, that the polls were open, ready for the reception of votes. Up to the time of closing the polls (6 o'clock P. M.) ninety-three votes were cast, Edward Murphy being elected Supervisor; S.S. Billings, Town Clerk; Peter Smith and E. H. Mulford, Justices of the Peace; Phillip Rogers, Assessor; Jacob Smith, Collector; Otis Munn, Overseer of the Poor, and ' David Wood, Charles Miller and Martin Young, Commissioners of Highways; Andrew Faber and Jacob Smith, Constables.
Chicago in 1857 (Henry Brown Richardson) -- "...a miserable, filthy, nasty, dirty, swamp of a mud hole. I would not wish to live there on any account...I believe that city to be a God-forsaken, Mammon-worshipping, Devil-serving, unchristian, abominable, filthy sink of iniquity in a most superlative degree." John Peyton's description of 1848 Chicago: "The City is situated on both sides of the Chicago River, a slimy stream, too lazy to clean itself, and on both sides of its north and south branches, upon a level piece of ground, half dry and half wet, resembling a salt marsh, and contained a population of 20,000. There was no pavement, no macadamized streets, no drainage, and three thousands houses in which the people lived were almost entirely small timber buildings, painted white, and white much defaced by mud . . To render the streets and sidewalks passable, they were covered with deal boards from house to house, the boards resting upon cross stilts of heavy timber. This kind of track is called "the plank road." Under these planks the water was standing on the surface over three-fourths of the city, and as the sewers from the houses were emptied under them, a frightful odor was emitted in summer, causing fevers and other diseases, foreign to the climate...On the outskirts of the town where this kind of road terminated, the highways were impassable, except in winter when frozen, or in summer when dry and pulverized into the most penetrating of dust. At all other seasons they were little less than quagmires...Of architectural display there was none. The houses were built hurriedly to accommodate a considerable trade center here, and were devoid of both comforts and conveniences...a kind of restless activity prevailed..."
Early Chicago papers: CHICAGO EVENING JOURNAL, CHICAGO TIMES, CHICAGO DEMOCRAT, CHICAGO EVENING JOURNAL, Phil, Sr's obit may be 27 Dec 1856 (from Fink Index)
I was told that Phil was orig. buried at Lincoln Park, at the south end of which (by the current site of the Chicago Historical Society) was a cemetery that had been in operation since 1847. The area ceased to be used as a burial ground by 1865, and the bodies were moved to Graceland, Rosehill, and Oakwood
cemeteries as the new park developed. Indeed, Phil was moved into Calvary about 1863.
Chicago and Cook Co Guide to Research (Szucs) - "Located ten miles north of Chicago's Loop, Rogers Park is one of Chicago's most densely populated areas. The first white settler in the area was Phillip Rogers, an Irishman who built a cabin in 1839 at what is now the intersection of Ridge and Lunt Avenues. Irish, German and English farmers settled along the western boundary of the community which was known locally as "the Ridge."
 The
photo at left was in Alice Touhy McKinley's scrapbook, labeled "N.E. Corner
Clark St. & Lunt."
(This is a newspaper article (probably from a Chicago paper) from a scrapbook belonging to
our Grandmother Alice Touhy McKinley (1878-1963). Her Grandfather was Philip McGregor Rogers, Sr. Rogers Park Annexed to City in 1893-Beautiful Home District Supplants Truck Farms and Woods-Once a trading post and resting place for weary travelers, the growth of Rogers Park has kept pace with the rapid growth of Chicago during the 19th century although it was a separate village until its annexation to Chicago in 1893. In 1816 the government traded the Indians 50,000 acres of land north of the Indian boundary line, which is now Rogers Avenue, to get them to relinquish land south of the line. Zender Early Settler-Early settlers were John Zender, who established Zender House Tavern at 6726 Ridge in 1809, a building which still exists although it has been remodeled many times. (note: archives of Illinois Land Records show several purchases by Philip Rogers between 1841-1847: 6 Feb 1841, 10 July 1844, 22 Sept 1845 and 27 July 1847) Philip Rogers bought the tract now bounded by Touhy, Western, Ridge and Morse from the government for $1.25 an acre in 1836. Peter Smith in 1840 bought 115 acres along Ridge from Pratt to Touhy and built a house at Farwell and Ridge, and John O'Leary's farm, north of the Rogers acreage was purchased in 1845. (Note: Philip's and John's wives Mary Masterson Rogers and Margaret Masterson O'Leary were sisters). In 1844 the Marshall farm at Ridge and Jarvis and the Schreiber farm on Ridge were purchased. Dinner Slants Ridge-Mrs. Sarah Marshall, grandmother of John Marshall, is credited with having put the present slant in Ridge Avenue. (note: seems like there should be more text after this). First Police Station in 1893. The first police station in Rogers Park was established in 1893 at the time of annexation in the old village hall at the present location. At present the station is in charge of Captain Harding who has over 200 men. Lieutenant Healy was the first fire chief for Rogers Park fire station which was organized in 1893 and housed for several years with the police. It moved to the present location on Greenleaf in 1916. From three firemen the force has jumped to two fire companies, an engine and a hook and ladder company, and is equipped with the most modern fire fighting apparatus. H. C. W. Laubenheimer was the Village Assessor-With the growth of Rogers Park there came a demand for books and a branch of the Chicago Public Library was formally opened Dec 27, 1917 in a small building at 6925 North Clark. Gertrude Husintetter was librarian with three assistants. Mabel Maderwell succeeded her. Lida Pirritte, the present librarian, took office in 1926. She has 14 assistants. The business organizations of Rogers Park have done much to further the progress of the community by working for needed improvements. The Associations-Howard District Business Association organized five years ago has been active in the Howard Street district, which was annexed to Chicago in 1915. The association helped secure the widening of Paulina, the annexation of Sheridan from Rogers to Calvary in 1926, the new lighting system in 1925 and the stopping of North Shore trains at Howard. At present it is working with Birchwood association to have a Chicago and Northwestern station at Howard. Clark Street and West - Rogers-Park Clark Business Men's Association, organized in 1921, secured the cross town bus service for Rogers Park, installed festoon lighting on Clark, secured a new hook and ladder for Rogers Park police, was instrumental in having County . . . (clipping ends).
(news clipping Aug 17 (about 1925) Relic of Old Chicago (Chicago, Aug 17) Far up on North Clark Street, a few blocks from the Evanston line, are the ruins of the old Rogers homestead, where lived for many years one of our pioneer families. Rogers Park is named after this family, so is Rogers Park, which marks the old Indian boundary line. Up to within a few years ago the stately old house (note: called The Oaks by the Touhys, I think) stood in the midst of a large lawn surrounded by big trees and flowering shrubs. The dignified old house had, no doubt, seen many changes from the days when this section was "in the country," and a good half day's jog behind old Dobbin from town. On the lawn at that time stood a large round limestone ornament, about four feet high, a relic of the Chicago fire. This was one of a number of such ornaments which surmounted the old courthouse destroyed in that fire. It is easy to picture the many conversations which took place on the lawn about this historic stone, when on peaceful Sunday afternoons, friends "from the city" drove out to call. The many incidents thus recalled and discussed by these pioneers would make a valuable history of early Chicago if there had been any way to have preserved them. Now the old house has succumbed to the ravages of time and progress. Nothing remains but a hole in the ground strewn with crumbling bricks and mortar. The old stone ornament lies tumbled over and partly hidden in a tangle of lilac and wild currant bushes. Soon the chugging of the steam shovel and the rumble of trucks will, no doubt, will herald the advent of a new apartment building on this historic site and this relic of early Chicago days will be carted off as so much rubbish and consigned to some dump as "filling". A duplicate of this stone may be seen in front of the Academy of Sciences in Lincoln Park. This, too, came from the old courthouse at the time of the fire. Who will take steps to rescue this time honored relic of early Chicago and set it up in a place of dignity, perhaps as a companion to the one in Lincoln Park? Perhaps the Chicago Historical Society, the D.A.R. or some similar organization will be glad to do this. L. W. Wahlstrom
(Thursday, Aug 12, 1926 - note: Philip Rogers was born Aug 15, 1812 in Co Louth, Ireland (per his grave marker) -died Rogers Park, IL Dec 13, 1856) Indians in Park Centuries Ago-Philip Rogers First Settler 90 Years Ago-In a century Rogers Park has evolved from a Pottawattamie Indian camping ground to a community of 70,000 containing progressive business districts and offering living conditions and beauty of surroundings that have established this district as an ideal business and home center. Ninety years ago Philip Rogers came from Watertown, N.Y. and built the first log cabin on Ridge, then an Indian trail. Rogers Park, at a later date, received its name from its first white settler. Incorporated as a village in 1878, it was annexed to Chicago April 4, 1893. Up until a few years ago Rogers Park land was the last thing that anyone wanted, and it was to be had in many instances on the bare promise of the purchaser to improve the property and pay for the lot later. Today land values have jumped sky high and lots purchasable a few years ago for a few hundred dollars are now bringing thousands. The last 15 years have seen a great change, for today large apartment buildings, immense theatres, thriving places of business occupy the prairie of the past. Business associations, such as Howard District Business, Loyola-Sheridan, Devon-Clark and countless clubs and societies, as well as prominent and influential citizens have also shared in the promotion and progress of the territory.
The following article is from the Chicago Tribune Jan 13, 1966: School Named for Early Settler--Rogers owned Trading Post, Vegetable Farm [Another in a series of articles about persons for whom schools are named] by Joseph Brisben. The first settler in the area of Rogers School, 7345 Washtenaw Avenue, was Philip Rogers, the man for whom the school was named. Rogers, who once owned all the land in an area bound by Lake Michigan, Juneway Terrace, and Ridge and Devon Avenues, lived with his family in a house on the northwest corner of what is now Rogers Avenue and Clark Street. He also operated a charcoal factory and a vegetable farm. His home life and industry set the tone for what is now the Rogers Park neighborhood. During a conversation recorded in 1929, his grandson, the late S(tephen) Rogers Touhy, said only fate caused Rogers to settle in the area. Arrived in 1834. In the winter of 1834 when Rogers and his brothers (Michael, Milton??) arrived in Chicago from Ireland (note: they actually arrived from Watertown, Jefferson County, NY), they were upset by Chicago's narrow, muddy streets and its filthy, wooden wharves. The icy, windy weather blew thru their homespun clothing. Because the lake was frozen and the boats, the most expedient means of transportation, were drydocked, the brothers were forced to remain for the winter. Rogers learned that Indians, who hunted along the Calumet river in the summer, camped to the west of the ridge where Ridge Avenue is. He decided that it was the ideal spot for a trading post. Touhy said his grandfather bought 600 acres from the government that spring and established the post. When the Indians moved west, Rogers cleared his land for farming by forming the charcoal company. Attract More Settlers. The industry attracted more settlers. A town grew. The Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad bought land from Rogers for a line. When he died, Rogers owned 1,600. Rogers Park had a population of 600. Rogers Park mushroomed after the great fire in 1871 which destroyed thousands of homes. It became a village in 1878, and Touhy's father, Patrick Touhy, was subdividing the family's land and selling for $12 a foot. Rogers Park became part of Chicago in 1893.
Chicago Tribune, Feb 18, 1900-Chicago Communities, Rogers Park - Philip Rogers was the pioneer of the region occupied by the north shore suburbs, and it was after him that Rogers Park was named. The place is now a part of the City of Chicago, but in 1836, when Mr. Rogers came west from Watertown, NY, it was prairie and woodland, trackless except for Indian trails and deer runs and a single road. The journey of nine miles to the courthouse in Chicago then was perilous and tedious. Now one can make it by steam or street railway while he is scanning his morning paper. A portion of the north limits of Rogers Park is bounded by what is known as Rogers Avenue, formerly the old Indian boundary line which runs from Lake Michigan in a southwesterly direction to the Fox or Illinois River, and is the boundary line between the land obtained by the United States from them in 1833. Ownership of the land now covered by the greater part of Chicago was held by the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians some time after the first settlement beside "Chicago Creek" was made. In 1816, after the close of the war of 1812, a conference was held by the Chippewa and Ottawa Indians some time after the first settlement beside "Chicago Creek" was made. In 1816, after the close of the war of 1812, a conference was called of the chiefs of the Chippewas and Ottawas and of representatives of the United States at St Louis, resulting among other things in the purchase by the United States of the title of the land embraced between the two lines, starting at the shore of Lake Michigan, ten miles on each side of "Chicago Creek," and running southwesterly to the waters of the Kankakee, Illinois and Fox Rivers. The south line starts at the mouth of the Calumet River, the north at a point in section 29 known as the Indian boundary line, which is now Rogers avenue. The lines bounded by the purchase were surveyed in 1821. The land between them was immediately thrown open to preemption and homestead claim. The growth of Chicago dates from that time, but to the north of Rogers avenue, or the Indian boundary line, there was no road, and no white settlement south of those at Green Bay and Milwaukee, on land which was purchased after the St Louis convention until 1833. In September of that year the Ottawa, Chippewa and the Pottawattamie chiefs of the country about Chicago were again called together to consult the government officers, this time in Chicago. As a result of this powwow the land north of the Indian boundary line, or Rogers avenue, extending to the northern purchase and west to the Mississippi River, supposed to contain about 5,000,000 acres, was purchased by the government. The first road to the north, the old Green Bay road, was surveyed and laid out along the high ground that year. In the following year it was cut to a width of two rods as far as Milwaukee, and was improved with corduroy through the swamps and log bridges over the streams. This thoroughfare, now known as Ridge boulevard, extends far to the north through what is now important, intellectual, ambitious, and wealthy Evanston, of which Philip Rogers is also the accounted pioneer settler. Mr. Rogers from time to time bought land from the United States Government and in 1856, when he died, he owned 1,000 acres. Included in this tract were the sites of the present suburbs of Rogers Park, Ravenswood, Sheridan Park, and Sunnyside Park. Some of the giant trees now standing in Sunnyside Park were planted by Philip Rogers. The first road to the north was laid out in 1833, and during the next year it was cut two rods wide as far as Milwaukee. This was called the old Green Bay road, and now is known as Ridge boulevard. The first structure built on this broad avenue, now lined with the costly residences of Evanston, was the log cabin of Philip Rogers. Mr. Rogers large estate went to his daughter Catherine C Rogers, now Mrs. P. L. Touhy. She and her family reside in the old homestead built in 1871 in what is now North Clark street, formerly the Indian trail between Fort Dearborn and Green Bay. Black Partridge's wigwam used to stand beneath the oak trees that now surround this building. Among the celebrated persons who have tasted the hospitality of the descendants of Philip Rogers were Charles Stewart Parnell, John Fitzgerald, Bishop De Koven, and General Phil Sheridan. In the yard is a relic of the old Chicago Courthouse, an ornamental stone corner piece saved during the great fire. The descendants of Philip Rogers now living are: Mrs. P. L. Touhy, her four daughters and two sons--Maybell, Catherine (now Mrs. Edward W. Cullen), Alice, and Grace, and S. Rogers Touhy and Joseph Touhy. All reside in Rogers Park. Philip Rogers is described as a large man, whose resemblance to Henry Irving was so strong that two descendants, having no photograph or other likeness of him, keep in the old homestead a profile picture of the English actor so that they may show their friends how the pioneer of the north shore looked. (I love this family!!)
Philip's land purchases from the Illinois Federal Land Sales on-line database are:
2/6/1841, 2/6/1841, 7/10/1844, 7/30/1847, 9/22/1845, 9/22/1845, 7/27/1847
From History of Cook Co, IL (1884), p. 464: P L Touhy was married Sept 15, 1865 to Catharine C Rogers, daughter of Philip Rogers, after whom the village of Rogers Park was named. Mr. Rogers settled in Chicago in 1836 and in 1844 came to Rogers Park. He died in 1856 leaving two children Philip M and Mrs. Touhy. P. 417: In the year 1836 Phillip Rogers settled on the northern part of Sections 31 and 32, and must be accounted the pioneer of the town of Evanston. His land is now a portion of Rogers Park. After erecting a log house he commenced burning charcoal, which he brought to Chicago with an ox-team. He married in 1841 and his wife Mrs. Mary Ward Masterson Hickey Rogers (widow of James Fox Hickey) still resides on the old homestead with her son-in-law Patrick Leonard Touhy. P. 418: The first recorded assessment of the township was made by Mr. Philip Rogers in 1853, and the value of its taxable property was placed at $6,000.
History of Cook County, Illinois HISTORY OF EARLY CHICAGO MODERN CHICAGO AND ITS SETTLEMENT EARLY CHICAGO, AND THE NORTHWEST BY ALBERT D. HAGER page 417
In the year 1836 Phillip Rogers settled on the northern part of Sections 31and 32, and must be accounted the pioneer of the town of Evanston. His land is now a portion of Rogers Park. After erecting a log house he commenced burning charcoal, which he brought to Chicago with an ox-team. He married in 1841, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Rogers, still resides on the old homestead, with her son-in-law, P. H. Touhy. In August, 1836, Abraham Hathaway built a log house at Evanston, situated on the present park, near the Presbyterian church, and soon thereafter converted it into a tavern; It is said that its reputation was not of the most savory character. James Carrol settled upon the northwest quarter of Section 30, but Edward H. Mulford had already claimed that tract by pre-emption, and in 1838, when he came to assume possession, he was obliged to drive off the "squatter" at the muzzle of a pistol. In the ear 1837 Samuel Rohrer arrived with considerable live-stock, and first settled at Rose Hill, on the premises now occupied by Mr. Weber; but he soon concluded to move further north, and. in accordance with a superstition which the held, he set fire to his shanty before he left it, that he might have "good luck" thereafter. When he arrived in the neighborhood of Glencoe, which was then called by the Germans "Ewige Qual" (Everlasting Punishment), and saw the lake on one side, the "skokey" (swamp) on the other, and bluffs and gullies before him, he turned back to permanently locate at Evanston--on the southeast quarter of Section 25, now occupied by John Muno. Here Mr. Rohrer lived until in 1847, when he bought a part of the school section of Niles. In 1838 Edward H. Mulford, who had ejected James Carroll from his claim, built a tavern, and old settlers who are now living assert that his charges were exceedingly high, although his accommodations were good. About this time James and John Carney settled on the southwest quarter of Section 18, which now includes the most valuable residence portion of the village of Evanston. In 1839 Otis Munn settled in the neighborhood of Mr. Merrill's residence, and John Zender located on the southeast quarter of Section 31, a little south of Rogers' Park. Paul and George Pratt settled on the northwest quarter of Section 18, and built their house where Briennan's blacksmith shop stands in Evanston. Peter Schmitt located himself west of Rogers Park, on the northwest quarter of Section 31. Edward Murphy, supervisor for a number of years, bought a claim of Moses Trader, and settled on it. O. A. Crain came to South Evanston in 1840, and in 1842 his brother Charles arrived, purchased a farm and learned the cooper's trade of William Foster, working at it for twelve years. George W. Huntoon, a Constable from Chicago, settled near the center of Section 19, where South Evanston now stands, in 1841. Jacob Phillips bought fifty acres west of Rogers Park during the next year, and still resides there. In 1843 John 0'Leary and Edward Davlin made their home on the northeast quarter of Section 30, the site of Calvary Cemetery being a portion of the land which they then purchased. From 1844 to 1847 David Hood, John Beck, Peter Bletsch, Henry Fortmann, Joseph Klein, John Tillman, Henry Reinberg, Michael Brett, Peter Rinn, Frank Schmitt, and Peter Muno settled along the so-called "ridge" between Rose Hill and Evanston. In fact. until the village of Evanston was platted and the site drained by the Drainage Commissioners, the settlements in the present town were generally confined to the territory along the ridge.
Here's a Rogers from Louth I found in the IHA Chicago Irish database, don't know if he's related:
Rogers, John at resid., 686 S. Canal st., native of Goghar, Co. Louth, member of Div. #21, A.O.H., aged 50 yrs. Funeral from Sacred Heart Church to Calvary -April 25, 1888 (1)
Here's another Rogers mention in Louth: Louth Landowners Circa 1870: 20. Mrs. Batty, Reps. of, address Rogerstown, Ardee, owned 41 acres.
1833 - Treaty of Chicago provides for United States acquisition and settlement of the last remaining Indian lands in Illinois.
1836 - Illinois and Michigan Canal construction is begun between Lake Michigan and the Illinois Valley; completed in 1848. Galena and Chicago Union Railroad is chartered; completed 12 years later.
(The construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal brought many Irish to Illinois. In 1823, the new state of Illinois created a canal commission. No progress was made until a second commission was formed in 1835 with a federal grant of 284,000 acres. Most of the land was offered for sale at $1.25 an acre, but sales were slow and further problems arrived with the economic "Panic of 1837". Construction started in 1836. As funds became scarce, the laborers were paid in scrip. As the scrip became devalued, land was offered in exchange for the scrip. Many of the Irish workers became landowners and other workers sold their land to the new immigrants. Irish settlements were developed along
the canal route in the counties of Cook, Grundy, LaSalle and Will. The Irish engineering, surveying, political and financial talents provided the impetus to complete the canal. Michael Ryan, an engineer and Illinois State Senator went to London to negotiate a loan of $1,600.000. This loan made possible the completion of the canal. The canal was finally opened in 1848. The exchange of land for work enabled the establishment of Irish settlements from Chicago to LaSalle and extended south to Peoria.)
1856 - Illinois Central RR is completed between Chicago, Galena and Cairo.
1860 - Luxury steamer Lady Elgin sinks in Lake Michigan; nearly 300 perish.
1861 - Civil War begins; Cairo become a troop and supply center for the Union Army.
1871 - Chicago fire destroys 18,000 downtown buildings; with losses estimated at $200 million. October 8, 1871.
1878 - Bell Telephone Company of Illinois begins service in Chicago.
1886 - Haymarket Square bombing and riot in Chicago during a labor rally cause several death; eight anarchists are convicted, four are hanged and one dies in prison.
1892 - Canal construction to reverse the flow of the Chicago River is begun; completed in 1900.
Illinois and Mississippi (Hennepin) Canal construction is begun between the Illinois and Rock rivers; completed in 1907.
1893 - World's Columbian Exposition is held in Chicago, commemorating the 400th anniversary of European exploratory voyages to the western hemisphere.
I was told that Philip Rogers was originally buried at Lincoln Park, at the south end of which (by the current site of the Chicago Historical Society) was a cemetery that had been in operation since
1847. I have read that there was a Catholic cemetery nearby and perhaps
Phil was buried there before the cemeteries were closed and he was moved to
Calvary. The area ceased to be used as a burial ground by 1865, and the bodies were moved to Graceland, Rosehill, and Oakwood cemeteries as the new park developed. Phil was moved into Calvary in 1863.
From Chicago Irish DB (Tom Cook) "Rogers, Philip Erected by Mary Rogers to the memory of her husband Philip Rogers, born in Co. Meath, Ireland, died in Chicago, Ill. Dec. 13, 1866 (?). Section C
Source: Calvary Cemetery, Tombstone Inscriptions
I think it should be Co Louth and DOD 13 Dec 1856 based on the original tombstone in Calvary and family records.
The marker is not very legible anymore and I think the transcriber probably had
difficulty reading it.
Article written on S Rogers Touhy letterhead - Philip Rogers, deceased, was one of the prominent pioneers of Cook County. He was born 15 August 1812, in Dublin, Ireland (grave marker says Co Louth), and came to the U.S. in childhood with his parents, James and Catherine (McGregor) Rogers, of Scotch-Irish origin. They located at Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, where Philip grew to manhood and received his education. Under the instruction of an older brother, who was a college graduate, he acquired considerable proficiency in civil engineering. He was deeply interested in the study of geology and before coming West had made an extensive examination into the formations of the earth strata of the United States, and was employed for some time as assayist by an iron ore firm. He soon decided to locate in Illinois, and started in 1832, in company with his brother, Milton Rogers, the founder of Saint Joseph, (Buchanon County) Missouri (note: I have not been able to prove this). The latter was not pleased with the prospects of the West and returned to New York, only to repair to the far West again. The subject of this sketch was not dismayed by the hardships which the pioneers were compelled to endure, and went to work at ditching, splitting rails, and any labor that seemed to be demanded in this region. He staked out a claim in Lake View Township, which included a judicious proportion of timber and prairie, and subsequently purchased land from time to time, chiefly from the Government, until his landed estate comprised sixteen hundred acres. Much of this he improved, and his farming operations became quite extensive, being conducted under his own supervision. In 1841 he married Mrs. Mary Ward Hickey, widow of James Fox Hickey, and daughter of Thomas Breen Masterson, Esq., of Mishal, County Carlow, Ireland. Thomas Breen Masterson was a native of Mishal, descended from the Breens of Bally Breen, County Wicklow, Ireland. He was born 4 May 1781 and died in 1814.
The
area now known as the North Shore was once home to the Potawatami Indians.
Villages were situated along the forested shores of Lake Michigan, where
abundant game and easy access to the lake supported a lifestyle of hunting and
fur-trading.
The first known European visitors were French voyageurs, who referred to the
area as 'Grosse Pointe,' after the large point of land now marked by the Grosse
Point Lighthouse. The French explored the shoreline, but did not attempt
colonization. After the War of 1812, the United States acquired the French lands
around Lake Michigan, and Grosse Pointe became Grosse Pointe Territory.
After living here for centuries, the Potawatami were forced to cede all their
lands to the U.S. in a series of five treaties dating from 1795 to 1833. The
government then parceled out plots of land to pioneer settlers who were moving
from the East. The first permanent settler of Grosse Pointe was Major Edward H.
Mulford, a jewelry dealer from New York. In 1836, Mulford bought 160 acres and
improved the land with the Ten-Mile House, a house and tavern which held the
territory's first post office and the first court of Cook County.
By the 1840 census, Grosse Pointe had 330 residents. Boundaries of Grosse Pointe
changed as more land was annexed into the district. In 1850 Grosse Pointe was
renamed Ridgeville, and increased its population to 441 by that year.
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