Edward Rogers. The most capable, successful and prominent men in either public or business life are not always those who started out with the ambition to achieve something really great and famous, but in the majority of cases are individuals who at the outset have placed due valuation upon honesty, integrity and determination. Possessing these qualities as practically representing his entire capital Edward Rogers embarked upon his career in young manhood, and in the course of years has won a place for himself among the leading citizens of Champaign County. For a long period he has been identified with the official life of the community, having for some time been city treasurer of Champaign, and at the present is the incumbent of the responsible office of treasurer of Champaign County. His success, self-made, is indicative of the rewards attainable through a career in which proper respect has been given to honorable effort and worthy service.
Edward Rogers was born at Westboro, Clinton County, Ohio, December 31, 1869, the only son of Thomas J. and Adelia (Pearce) Rogers. His father, a native of Virginia, left the Old Dominion and went to Ohio, and enlisted in the Union Army from West Virginia. He was later transferred to the Forty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served bravely with that hard-fighting organization, which accompanied the forces of General Sherman in their memorable march to the sea. In the fighting which took place before Atlanta, July 22, 1864, Mr. Rogers fell wounded, and his injury proved of such a nature as to disable him from further duty and he was honorably discharged and invalided home. When he recovered he resumed his harness-making operations and continued to be engaged therein in Clinton County, Ohio, until 1877, in which year he came to Champaign County, Illinois. He is now retired from active labor and makes his home at Champaign. During a long and active career he has worked out a modest success, and in his declining years is able to enjoy the comforts earned by years of honorable labor. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were the parents of two children: Edward; and Fannie, who is the wife of Frank Sabin, of Champaign.
When he had completed the course of study prescribed by the graded schools Edward Rogers entered the high school at Champaign, having been brought to this county as a lad of eight years. He was graduated in 188? and for a time was engaged in farming, but like many farmer boys was attracted to the business of railroading, although, unlike the majority, he did not enter the train service. When he was twenty-one years old he became an employee of the Illinois Central Railroad as a clerk in the machinery department, and continued to be connected with that branch of the service until 1910, when he was made deputy county treasurer of Champaign County. In the meantime, from 1907 until 1909, he had served as city treasurer of Champaign, establishing an excellent record. In 1914 he was made the candidate of the Republican Party for the office of county treasurer of Champaign County, and received a good majority at the polls. The people of the county who elected him have had no reason to regret their choice, for he has made a good and hard-working official who has placed the interests of the county above all others, and who has made his office one of the best governed of the section. It has been his aim and desire to keep the county finances in the best of condition and to conserve the interests of the tax payers in the greatest degree possible. Mr. Rogers is accounted one of the wheel-horses of the Republican Party in Champaign County. He is well known fraternally, and belongs to the local lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Tribe of Ben Hur, and also holds membership in the Sons of Veterans.
On May 18, 1898, Mr. Rogers married Miss Elma Kelley, who was born at Leroy, Illinois, and they are the parents of three children, namely: Donald M., Vera L. and John K.