Freemasons of New York State in the Civil War

In 1840, when he was 20 years old, he established a newspaper in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, successfully operating it until 1846. It was at this time that Rogers moved to Buffalo and found a job at the Courier, "where he was known as one of the best printers, and the most rapid compositors." He was soon foreman in the office, and held that position for two years.

In 1847, soon after arriving in Buffalo, Rogers became involved with the State militia, becoming a member of Company D, 65th Regiment, of which he was Fourth Sergeant, promoted to First Sergeant in 1848. In July 1849 he was commissioned Second Lieutenant; in December 1850 he was made First Lieutenant; and in June 1851, Adjutant of the 65th Regiment. In December 1853 Rogers was made Captain of Company B and, in July 1854, Captain of Company C, 74th Regiment, which he held until the outbreak of the Civil War

Around 1848 Rogers was called to take charge of the mechanical department of a political newspaper associated with the "barnburner" faction of the Democratic party. The newspaper was called the Buffalo Republic, with Rogers acting as business manager in association with several other men. The paper was not financially successful, and was later merged with another paper thus becoming the Times-Republic. He was then involved in the formation of the first Sunday newspaper ever published in Buffalo, the Weekly Bulletin. The public was not ready for a Sunday paper yet, and the Bulletin folded. Rogers returned to his foreman position at the Courier and remained there until the outbreak of the war. In 1858 Rogers was elected a member of the Council at the University at Buffalo Medical School.

During this time General Stonewall Jackson made a raid upon the troops and Colonel Rogers' command was sent to cut off the advance of rebel troops, which was successfully performed. He was officially commended for his performance. After this, his regiment was transferred to General Pope's campaign, where they fought directly with General Lee's troops, involved in the second battle at Bull Run. Unfortunately, Rogers' troops didn't fare well during this battle, emerging "with honor and banner untarnished, but with fearfully thinned ranks."

Colonel Rogers was placed in command of the First Division of the First Army Corps, becoming involved in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. He was placed in command of "the extreme left" at Fredericksburg. After this conflict, he was sent to Aquia Creek, being given the charge of the defenses. They remained there until May 1863, when they were "mustered out."

After his two years of service was complete, Colonel Rogers returned to Buffalo and was appointed Provost Marshall for the Buffalo District. In May 1864, he was appointed Colonel of the 74th Regiment and then in March 1865, promoted Brigadier General United States Volunteers. In April of 1865 he was made Brigadier General of the 31st Brigade. After his military service was complete, Rogers began work in public office. In 1865 he held the position of auditor. In November 1865 he was elected Comptroller of Buffalo, which he held in 1866 and 1867, during Mayor Wells' term in office.

As comptroller he took the liberty to discuss and make suggestions to the Common Council in his official report. It was here that he said "opening up the railroad communication with the coal, iron and lumber regions of Northern Pennsylvania, is an enterprise that cannot fail to promote the general prosperity of the city." Under his advice the city helped with the construction of the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad.

On October 17, 1867 the Democratic City Convention was held. General Rogers was expecting to be nominated for the office of Sheriff of Erie County and was surprised to be the candidate for Mayor. He "felt that as a man of moderate means he ought not to accept the mayoralty nomination," but was persuaded to. On October 19, 1867 the Republican City Convention was held, and Mayor Chandler J. Wells was nominated by acclamation for another term in office.

Election day was on November 5, 1867, 'Guy Fawks Day,' and General Rogers was victorious over Chandler Wells 8,276 to 6,567, the largest majority of any mayoral race to date. Many of the Democratic newspapers were calling the Republicans 'radicals.' The Democrats were victors in most of the races in the city and state. The evening of his victory, Mayor-elect Rogers was serenaded at his home. Mayor Rogers was administered the oath of office from Mayor Wells on January 6, 1868. When the Council reconvened at 5:30 p.m., Rogers transmitted his Inaugural Address.

"Called by the voice of our fellow citizens to exercise the functions of coordinate branches of the city government, the responsibilities of which we are to share in almost equal degree, I have the honor, in accordance with established usage, to communicate . . . the present condition of our beautiful and rapidly growing city.

"The amount levied upon the taxable property of the city the past year for the support of the municipal government was . . . more than was required for the same purpose during the previous year. The large increase in the estimates was caused by increased appropriations for the school, police, fire and market departments.

"Upon you devolves the duty of providing for the wants and guarding the interests of those it is your privilege to represent. Jealous watchfulness over these interests should control your action in all matters that are persecuted for your consideration . . . The total revenues, aside from the general tax and the school monies received from the State, are ridiculously small when compared with the amount it is necessary to raise to defray our ordinary expenses . . . The cry of economy in administration is continually heard, and this cry has caused councils to apply a remedy, not demanded by the public, by restricting the salaries of public servants to the lowest limits, and which are comparatively lower than any other city in the Union. To seek for other sources of revenue should be our first care, and this can be accomplished by establishing a well regulated license system. All occupations, trades and professions, as such, should be compelled to share in support of their privileges.

"The necessity for a change in the mode of collecting taxes has been so often and earnestly presented to the attention of councils by my predecessors, that it seems [foolish] to advert to it again.

"The large assessments for local improvements prove a serious burden to many citizens, especially those of small means, who are unable to pay a large [sum].

"One of the most important matters connected with the present and future well-being of our city is the want of a plentiful supply of pure water. . . As yet no satisfactory solution . . . has been arrived at. The policy of deferring it, and shifting the responsibility to future councils, will, I trust, be no longer adhered to, but that your honorable body will at once . . . determine either to purchase the present works, at what may considered...fair valuation, or enter into such a contract as will enable the company to make improvements and extensions to meet the prospective wants of the city . . . And early enlargement of the capacity of the works is of the highest importance. We have been admonished time and again, of the insufficiency of the supply of water [which] will not feed more than one steam fire engine at a time.

"The expenses of the [Fire] department were considerably increased during the past year by the erection of three new houses, and by extensive repairs to two others.

"The fire alarm telegraph has been in operation during the past year and a half. Its successful operation demonstrates the importance of its further extension and I respectfully suggest that provision be made in the estimates for the present year for an additional number of signal boxes.

"In this connection I beg leave to renew a suggestion made by my predecessor...in reference . . . of providing a floating steam fire engine for the harbor. As the fire limits are about to be extended to the other side of Buffalo Creek . . . the necessity of having an engine of this kind, capable of moving rapidly through the slips and canals, gives new importance to the suggestion.

"A much larger amount of revenue ought to be derived from the rent of stalls in our markets, and from butcher's licenses. Licenses are granted to sell fresh meat in various parts of the city at merely a nominal sum, leaving our markets almost empty, and rapidly running to decay for want of use. I . . . suggest that the rent of stalls be fixed at such a rate as will bring the markets a source of revenue, and that in future, licenses to sell fresh meat inside the old city limits be steadily refused until the markets are filled up. . . and. . . that a sum will be exacted which will induce all who engage in this business to seek the markets as the legitimate mart of the butcher.

"Niagara Frontier Police - Subsequent amendments to the law advanced the pay and, by the action of the Common Council , the number of patrolmen was increased.

"The amended act passed at the last session of the Legislature constitutes the Police Commissioners, a Board of Commissioners of Excise, in and for the territory under police control. The board is empowered to grant licenses for the sale of spiritous liquors, wines, ale or beer, in quantities less than five gallons, and all licenses, fees, fines and penalties are paid into the Niagara Frontier Police Fund. . . except . . . for licenses granted to tavern keepers, hotel keepers, and mechanical and medicinal purposes . . . which shall be paid to the treasurer of the county for the benefit of the poor fund.

"One hundred and fifty-one lost children were restored to their parents, and 1,958 lodgers were accommodated at the several station houses during the year.

"During the year, twenty-one patrolmen have been dismissed, forty-six fined, twenty-four reprimanded, and fourteen against whom charges were preferred, returned to duty.

"On the 9th of April last, the city purchased the premises on the corner of Pearl Street and the Terrace . . . which has been filled up and is now occupied as the Police Headquarters.

"The law under which the present Police Department was organized, not only takes from the Mayor all authority over the force, but it also relieved the proper financial officers of the city from the control and disbursement of the large amount of money necessary to sustain it. The authority is vested in irresponsible commissioners, appointed by the Governor of the State. To the Mayor, by the city charter, is confided the duty of seeing 'that the laws are faithfully executed,' but the act referred to strips him of the means of enforcing them. To quietly submit to this arbitrary and despotic policy is a virtual surrender of our chartered rights and privileges, and if not checked will leap to the establishment of a State Police Force - like a standing army with its headquarters at the State Capital, its ramifications extending to every town . . . 'to harass our people and eat out their substance.'"

"It is worthy of consideration, whether the time has not arrived for a new subdivisions of the city, into a greater number of wards. This need not necessarily increase the number of Aldermen; and it occurs to me that the interest of the city would be much better protected by creating two boards, comprising Select and Common Council - the latter to be composed of one representative chosen by each ward; and the former, a less numerous body, chosen generally from the body of the people without reference to locality.

"In many of the school districts in the western part of the city, by reason of rapid increase of population, very serious difficulties are encountered by the teachers for the want of proper accommodations for the large number of children attending the schools in that quarter . . . Additional accommodations should be immediately supplied for the primary departments.

"During the years 1866 and 1867, acts were passed by the State Legislature to establish six Normal schools in localities where the citizens were willing to furnish the land and contribute the means for erecting the necessary buildings and furnishing the same, the State guaranteeing to support the schools when those conditions were complied with. Through the efforts of a committee of citizens...the State authorities have determined to locate one of these schools in this city. A beautiful and commanding lot of ground, suitable for this purpose, was conveyed to the city by the late Jesse Ketchum, for [a] nominal sum . . . Pupils from district schools can enjoy the advantages of instruction in the higher branches of education under the fostering care of the State . . . I trust your honorable body will see the propriety of extending the aid asked for.

"Nothing has been done during the past year towards carrying into effect the bequest of the late Seth Grosvenor for establishing a free library in the city. Two years have lapsed since that bequest was made, but this generation will scarcely reap any benefit from it, unless steps are at once taken to fulfill its object.

"The numbering of houses fronting on our public streets is being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. Two hundred miles of streets have been measured, one hundred of which are mapped, and the numbers for them received from the contractors.

"My attention has been called, by the Health Physician, to the importance of having a registry of Marriages and Births, as well as Deaths, filed in the office of the City Clerk.

"Buffalo, by virtue of its geographical position, is destined to be one of the largest inland cities on this continent. During the past year, at least one thousand new buildings have been erected. We have now three hundred miles of streets . . . religious privileges abundant; all the luxuries and comforts of life . . . manufacturing establishments are increasing."

On August 25, 1868, a group of citizens gathered to discuss the subject of creating a system of public parks in the city. The renowned landscaper, Frederick Law Olmstead, was contacted for his advice. Mr. Olmstead visited the city for a brief period and mapped out his ideas. These ideas were later exhibited by him at the Philadelphia exposition in 1876 and the Paris exposition in 1878. The basic system was to consist of The Front, The Park, and The Parade. It was changed to include Delaware, and Humboldt in place of Parade.

Mayor Rogers salary was set at $1,400 for the year 1869, by the Council. When the Common Council met on January 4, 1869, a committee was appointed to wait upon Mayor Rogers to inform him that the Council of 1869 was in session. At the afternoon session, the Annual Address of Mayor Rogers was read to the Council.

"In transmitting to your Honorable Body my second annual communication . . . I congratulate you, and those whom you represent, upon the continued prosperity of our beautiful city in its onward march of progress and wealth.

"While comptroller of the city it was my pleasure to call the attention of the Common Council to the importance of taking immediate action to secure, while it was yet cheap, land suitable for a public Park. The subject has, for the past year, commanded the attention of our citizens, and last summer, Frederick Law Olmstead was employed by several gentlemen, at their own expense, to visit the city and make an examination of the vacant lands adapted to this purpose. Every year that the taking of the requisite land is delayed will add tens of thousands of dollars to its cost, and I trust that this Council will not hesitate to give its full approval to the project. Let every citizen...contribute his equitable proportion to establish a Park which will make the Queen City of the Lakes still more attractive and be a perpetual source of pride and healthful enjoyment.

"The want of dockage facilities has driven from our city many enterprises which else would have been located here. To remedy this want the construction of one or more swing bridges is imperatively demanded. At least three miles of docks could thus be brought into immediate use. As every available point on the north side of the river is now occupied, our attention is naturally directed to the other side of the river, which can be made so easily accessible from our most frequented thoroughfares.

"The water works passed into the possession of the city in August last. By the terms of the purchase the receipts of the company from the first of May last were paid to the city, less the expense attending their operation. Almost a mile and a quarter of pipe has been laid during the past season. The total length of pipe now laid is thirty-five miles. Twenty new fire hydrants have been set up on the lines of pipe...making the whole number of hydrants now in use 365.

"Two new school houses are now in process of construction, one of which will be ready for the reception of pupils in a few weeks.

"The large number of incendiary fires in the months of January, February, and March last, tested the energy and endurance of our admirable fire department in a remarkable degree. I respectfully recommend that the usual appropriation to each company be increased to five hundred dollars per annum.

"The fire alarm telegraph continues to give entire satisfaction. I suggest the propriety of gradually increasing the number of signal boxes until all important points in the city is embraced within its circuit.

"The Legislature at its last session, enacted a law reducing the number of uniformed militia . . . and . . . all regiments outside the larger cities have been disbanded. Two regiments are located in this city, but the number of enlisted men in each is below the minimum required by law.

"The numbering of houses has been carried through successfully, and meets the approval of our citizens.

"Although small pox has not prevailed to any noticeable [degree] in the past year, it was deemed advisable to order general vaccination of the city, and the Health Physician...vaccinated some four thousand children. The ordinances require that no pupil shall be admitted to the public schools who has not been vaccinated and this regulation should be rigidly enforced.

"Your attention is again called to the importance of having a registry of marriages and births as well as deaths in the city clerk's office.

"On the 25th of August last, the cattle plague, known as the Spanish fever, and its appearance at our receiving yards, creating no little alarm in the community. The prompt action by the health authorities prevented the spread of the disease, and the sale of any cattle affected by it. I join in the recommendation...for the appointment of a . . . local inspector, whose duty it shall be to inspect all cattle received at the yard, and that none but sound healthy cattle are offered for sale.

"All the railroads that can be induced to center here give additional impetus to all branches of productive industry. The spanning of Niagara river with an international bridge is a project which has been too long delayed. This matter is again agitated and it is hoped that it will not be allowed to share the fate of previous spasmodic efforts, but that our citizens will awake to the importance of securing the completion of this important work."

PERSONAL LIFE

After his term in office, Rogers returned to private life. He felt the printing profession was "the greatest calling on earth."

William Findlay Rogers was married in June 20, 1842 to Caroline Waldron, of Honsdale, Pennsylvania, who died in 1847. They had one son. General Rogers remarried on September 20, 1849 to Phoebe Demony and had three more children. His home while mayor was at Michigan and Eagle Streets. He moved to Utica and Main Streets and then to Genesee and Franklin Streets, where the Lockwood building was constructed. From there he moved to 17 Whitney Place.

In 1877, General Rogers commanded the 14th Brigade N. G. S. N. Y. to quell the riots created during the railroad strike. The rioters were "promptly and effectually" dispersed and order returned by the militia. In 1878 he was chosen candidate for the state Senate but was defeated in a district that was largely Republican.

Rogers played a prominent part in the founding of the Soldiers' Home for veterans in Bath, New York, and in January 1879 he gave the dedication address .

Rogers was an organizer of the Civil Service Reform Association and an ardent supporter of it from its inception in July, 1881.

In 1882 Rogers was elected to serve in the 48th Congress, serving one term.

In 1887 Rogers was appointed superintendent of the Soldiers' Home, moving his residence there. In 1897 Rogers resigned as superintendent of the Soldiers' Home in Bath, New York and returned to Buffalo .

Rogers was a prominent mason, at one time a High Priest, Eminent Commander, and Master of his lodge.

William Rogers is known as the "Father of the Park System" for his work in heading the park commission and getting the Common Council to move ahead on organizing the committee. He was the first president of the Board of Park Commissioners. When he retired from the office of Mayor in 1869, he was chosen secretary of the Board, and remained in that position until he moved to Bath, New York. He was also treasurer for many years. South Park and Cazenovia Park were purchased by the city in 1891 and added to the original system, by the firm of F. L. Olmstead & Co. Grover Cleveland Park was purchased in 1925 and smaller parks acquired over time.

General Rogers "died with his boots on" in his sleep on December 16, 1899. Up until his death he was still active in many civic activities. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery .

Roller, W. W., (Capt.), 64th Vols, Phoenix, 262