Horatio Rogers Jr. Explained

Horatio Rogers Jr.
Office:Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
Termend:1903
Termstart:1891
Governor2:James Y. Smith
Ambrose Burnside
Predecessor2:Abraham Payne
Party:Republican
Governor1:Royal C. Taft
Office1:Attorney General of Rhode Island
Predecessor1:Ziba O. Slocum
Successor1:Ziba O. Slocum
Termend1:1889
Termstart1:1888
Termend2:1867
Termstart2:1864
Successor2:Willard Sayles
Birth Date:May 18, 1836
Birth Place:Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Death Place:Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Resting Place:Swan Point Cemetery
Otherparty:National Union (1864–1865)
Spouse:Lucia Waterman
Emily Priscilla Smith
Children:Arthur
Parents:Horatio Rogers Sr.
Susan Curtis
Alma Mater:Brown University
Allegiance: United States
Branch:Union Army
Rank: Colonel
Brevet Brigadier General
Commands:11th Rhode Island Infantry Regiment
2nd Rhode Island Infantry Regiment
Unit:3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Regiment
Battles:American Civil War

Horatio Rogers Jr. (May 18, 1836 – November 12, 1904) was an American lawyer, judge, and Union Army officer in the American Civil War. He was the Attorney General of Rhode Island from 1864 to 1867 and again from 1888 to 1889. From 1891 to 1903, he served as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Early life and family

Rogers was born on May 18, 1836, in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.[1] He was the son of Susan (née Curtis) and Horatio Rogers Sr., and had an older brother, John Henry, who became an Episcopal priest. He attended Brown University as an undergraduate, before going on to earn his Legum Doctor elsewhere.[2]

Civil War

During the American Civil War, Rogers first served as a major of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, then as a colonel of the 11th Rhode Island Infantry, and finally as a colonel and commander of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry. He commanded the 2nd Rhode Island at the Battle of Gettysburg.[3] After the battle, he wrote, "Death seemed to be holding a carnival."

He resigned from the Army on January 14, 1864. On March 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier general, US Volunteers, for "gallant and meritorious service during the war."[4]

Law career

After returning from the war, Rogers became a prominent lawyer and jurist. In 1864, he ran for Attorney General of Rhode Island.[5] He was nominated on March 15, 1864, by the Rhode Island National Union (Republican) Convention.[6] On election day on April 6, won with 96% of the vote, receiving 10,395 votes against Walter S. Burges' 284 and 123 other votes. He served until 1867 and again from 1888 to 1889. He also worked as a partner in his manufacturing company of his father-in-law, James Y. Smith.[7] In 1891, he was appointed to a newly created seat as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court,[8] serving until 1903.

Death

Rogers died on November 12, 1904, aged 68. He was buried in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, with both of his wives buried on either side.

Personal life

Rogers was married twice. His first wife, Lucia Waterman, died in 1867, and the couple had Arthur, who became an Episcopal priest and died in 1938, and Lucian Waterman, who died in 1927. His second wife, Emily Priscilla Smith, was the daughter of James Y. Smith, who was Mayor of Providence and Governor of Rhode Island. In 1864, Rogers and Smith had one child, Emily Priscilla Smith Rogers.

The Rogers family lived in a Queen Anne style house at 264 Bowen Street in Providence. It was built for Rogers in 1887 to a design by noted Providence architect Alpheus C. Morse.[9]

Works

In addition to his legal profession, Rogers was a member of the American Antiquarian Society and authored several books during his lifetime. His best-known work was Private Libraries of Providence, which included sketches and descriptions of libraries in Providence homes, at a time when common access to libraries was uncommon.[10] In addition to information on his own library, the book contained entries on the private libraries of some of Rhode Island's most prominent citizens, including John Russell Bartlett, Royal C. Taft, and John Carter Brown's library.

They are listed as follows:

References

  1. Web site: Horatio Rogers, Jr (1836 – 1904) - Find A Grave Memorial. www.findagrave.com. 2017-07-11.
  2. Book: Rogers, Horatio. The Influence of College Inspiration on After Life. Preston and Rounds Co.. 1898. Providence, Rhode Island. en.
  3. News: Monument to the 2nd Rhode Island at Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg. 2017-07-11. en-US.
  4. Book: Hadden's Journal and Orderly Books: A Journal Kept in Canada and Upon Burgoyne's Campaign in 1776 and 1777. Horatio Rogers.. Hadden. James Murray. Rogers. Horatio. Burgoyne. John. Phillips. William. 1884. J. Munsell's Sons. en.
  5. Book: Acts and Resolves Passed At the May Session of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1865. Hiram H. Thomas & Co.. 1865. Providence, Rhode Island. 173. en.
  6. News: Rhode Island National Union Convention.. 1864-03-16. The New York Times. 2017-07-10.
  7. Web site: Amos D. and James Y. Smith Collection. Stattler. Rick. 1997. Rhode Island Historical Society.
  8. The American Annual Cyclopedia and Register of Important Events of the year 1891, Volume 31, p. 770.
  9. William McKenzie Woodward and Edward F. Sanderson, Providence: A Citywide Survey of Historic Resources, ed. David Chase (Providence: Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission, 1986)
  10. Web site: PRIVATE LIBRARIES OF PROVIDENCE, by Horatio Rogers – 1878 [1st Ed]]. Panoply Books. en. 2017-07-11.
  11. Web site: Horatio Rogers Letter (VMF141), 1880 MSS Manuscripts. archon.wulib.wustl.edu. en. 2017-07-11.
  12. Book: Rogers, Horatio. Private Libraries of Providence with a Preminary Essayon the Love of Books. 2016-02-08. Leopold Classic Library. en.
  13. Book: Rogers, Horatio. Private libraries of Providence. 1878. S. S. Rider. Providence.
  14. News: Discourse before the Rhode Island society at its centennial celebration of Rhode Island's adoption of the federal constitution. The Library of Congress. 2017-07-11. en.
  15. Book: Rogers, Horatio. Mary Dyer of Rhode Island, the Quaker Martyr That Was Hanged on Boston Common, June 1, 1660. 2016-06-28. 9781534991170. en.