BENJAMIN F. RODGERS, M.D., who is one of the prominent physicians and surgeons of Marion County, was born in York, York County, Pa., September 13, 1829. He is the son of Joseph and Mary (Hamilton) Rodgers, the former of whom was born in Fairfax County, Va., in 1783. His father, the grandfather of our subject, was named John Rodgers, and served as Major of his regiment during the Revolutionary War.
Joseph Rodgers was reared on his father's farm near Fairfax Courthouse, Va., and at the latter's death, when a division of the property was made, he was found to be the owner of a large number of slaves. From Virginia he went to Hagerstown, Md., where he married, and soon thereafter removed to York, Pa., where he became one of the wealthy agriculturists of the county. In 1836 he came further west, this time locating near Circleville, Ohio, where he followed his former occupation. While residing in the above place his death occurred, March 6, 1847. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was present at the battle of Utah Springs.
On his father's side our subject is descended from John Rodgers. whom it will be remembered was a martyr and burned at the stake. He also traces his ancestry back to another John Rodgers, cutler to their majesties of England, and to the Rodgers of early United States navy fame. The family is remarkable for longevity, their average life being ninety-two years.
The mother of our subject was born in Hagerstown, Md., and was the daughter of Robert Hamilton, who was the younger son of the Duke of Hamilton, and a native of County Armagh, Ireland.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rodgers were married in 1811, and became the parents of a family of eleven children, five of whom are living, namely:
Our subject grew to mature years and received a good education in Circleville, Ohio. Having decided to become a physician, in 1848 he began his professional studies, reading medicine with Dr. Samuel Porter. In October of the succeeding year he came to Belleville, this state, and after remaining in that place for a twelvemonth went to Stephensburg, Ilardin County , Ky., where he continued to make his home until 1856. In that year he returned to Illinois, locating in Jacksonville, where he was residing at the outbreak of the Civil War.
In September, 1861, Mr. Rodgers organized Battery K, Second Illinois Light Artillery, of which he was elected Captain, and with it was sent to the front. In January, 1862, he was put in command of the mortar boats, and on going to Ft. Donelson, participated in the battle at that place. After the surrender of the fort he was ordered to take his battery to Columbus, Ky., and his was the first battery to arrive after the evacuation by the enemy. Later, after the completion of some minor engagements and expeditions, Captain Rodgers was ordered by General Dodge to take command of Captain Moore's company, together with his own battery, and proceed to Clarkton, Mo., and wipe out the guerrilla band. He surprised the enemy in camp on the morning of December 25, 1862, and by killing, capturing and wounding about eighty-four of their number, succeeded in routing their forces. While on this expedition Joe Stock ton, afterward Gen. Joe Stockton, served under Captain Rodgers, with five companies from the Board of Trade of Chicago, forming the Seventysecond Regiment.
After the evacuation of Memphis, in Jnne, 1862, our subject was ordered with his battery to that city, and was one of the first to arrive. There they remained in camp until the following November, when they joined and participated in the expedition to Oxford, Miss. Returning to Memphis, March 6, 1863, they made that place their headquarters until May 9, when they were ordered to Vicksburg, and took part in the siege, which lasted forty-two days. During that time our subject was placed on the staff of General Lauman,of the Fourth Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. After the surrender of Vicksburg, Captain Rodgers went to Jackson, in besieging which city General Lauman acted through a mistaken order and consequently his division was repulsed and four hundred and thirty-five of his men were killed in seventeen minutes. That General was retired, and General Crocker of Iowa was placed in command.
Our subject was placed upon his staff as Chief of Artillery, and soon thereafter went with the division to Vicksburg, where they arrived July 27, 1863, and recruited their forces until the following September, when they were ordered to Natchez, Miss. lu May, 1864, the entire division went to Atlanta, Ga., with the exception of Company K, which was retained at Natchez. General Gresham, of the Fifty-third Indiana, took command of that post, and Captain Rodgers was placed on his staff also as Chief of Artillery.
During the summer of 1864, while General Crocker was in command of the forces at Natchez, expeditions were made to Fayetteville, Miss., Sicily Island and Ilarrisburg, La. In August, 1864, General Crocker was ordered to the front, and General Brayman of Illinois succeeded him as post commander at Natchez. Our subject was still retained on his staff, and to his other duties was added that of Ordnance Officer. He remained in that city as executive officer until mustered out, December 31, 1864. The Captain was very popular with officers and privates alike, and was mustered out with a clear and meritorious record.
November 3, 1848, Dr. Rodgers and Miss Mary C. Thiell were united in marriage. The lady is the daughter of Casper Thiell, who is editor of the Ohio Eagle, published at Lancaster. By this union were born seven children, four of whom are living, viz.:
Those deceased are, Ida, Emma and Adele.
Dr. Rodgers has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Patoka for twenty-six years. He ranks high among the medical fraternity, and is highly regarded by all who know him.
Socially, he is a prominent member of William A. Smith Post, G. A. R., of which he is Commander. In his political relations he is a stanch Republican.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 359 - 360
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer