Cumberland County, Maine - Spencer Rogers ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com Copyright (c) 2005 by C. Wendland Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El Paso, Texas ********************************************************************** Biography Spencer Rogers Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 327-328 Spencer Rogers, a prominent contractor and builder of Portland, was born in this city, December 18,1832, during the second Presidential administration of Andrew Jackson. His parents were Spencer and Emeline (Green) Rogers. His maternal great-grandfather, Samuel Green, on March 10, 1763, married Jane Gustin, granddaughter of Jean Gustin. The latter arrived in Falmouth from France in the year 1681, and left the town when it was destroyed the second time by the Indians. He returned in 1716, and died there in 1718. Samuel Green fought for independence in the Revolution. His son, Samuel (second), the grandfather of Spencer Rogers, Jr., was a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Margaret Webber, of Harpswell, this county, and died in Portland in 1834. Spencer Rogers, Sr., a mariner, was born in North Carolina. While serving as mate on board of a vessel, he was probably lost at sea, leaving a widow and two children. The children were: Mary E. and Spencer. Mary E. Rogers successively married Robert Walker and James Moody, of Standish. The mother, Mrs. Rogers, married for her second husband Dana Runnels, of this, city, and had six children - three sons and three daughters. Spencer Rogers at the age of thirteen began to serve an eight years apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade; but after a period of five years struck out for himself as journeyman, working at ship joinery, although his specialty was house finishing. In 1860 he began contracting and building, which he has continuously followed ever since. He gives employment to from eight to thirty- eight men, and in the amount of business and the quality of his work he has no rival. Many of the prominent city buildings, including two fire stations, the two principal grammar-school buildings, and the new armory, have been erected by Mr. Rogers. He is a real estate owner, all of his property being self-acquired, and much of it built and improved for himself. In 1853, when Mr. Rogers first voted, he was a Republican; but, after Horace Greeley became prominent, he joined the Democratic ranks. He is a member of the Democratic City Committee. He has been connected with the Fire Department for twenty years, filling every position within the organization. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Maine State Engraving Company, and also belongs to the Maine Lodge and Eastern Star Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On Christmas Day, 1856, he married Miss Justina Walden Mansfield, a native of Portland, daughter of Edward Mansfield, an old resident of Portland, who belonged to a family of Salem, Mass. Mrs. Edward Mansfield before marriage was Miss Anna Walden, a sister of Captain Green Walden, of the revenue service. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, but six are now living, namely: Edward E., who married Miss Hattie Hayes, and is in business with his father; Anna, the wife of Charles B. Haskell, of this city; Frederick G., who married Miss Gertrude Tucker, and resides in Portland; Mabel, who is Mrs. Charles B. Tucker, of Boston; Mildred; and Bessie Rogers. The family attend the Congress Square Church. Whether serving as contractor and builder, as Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, in the city offices, or in the Odd Fellows Lodge, Mr. Rogers has always had the entire confidence and respect of his fellow-townsmen. His push and energy in the business world must enhance his enjoyment of his pleasant home at 135 Park Street, where his wife and children are the centre of interest.