1857 – Lewis S. Rogers
On January 2, 1887 Brother Senior Warden Judge Robert S. Bean, who was one of those charged with writing the Lodge History in 1883, reported that he had procured the photograph of Past Master Lewis S. Rogers, 1st Master of Eugene City Lodge, and deposited it with the Secretary of the Lodge.
Lewis S. Rogers was born in March of 1826 in the state of Ohio. His father was born in Virginia and his mother in New York. Lewis was living in St. Clair County, Missouri at the time of the census, taken August 16, 1850. At that time Lewis was 24 and living in the household of S. S. Weir. Mr. Weir and his 15 year old son were Carpenters, as was Lewis Rogers. Also in the home was Sam H. Rogers, a 31 year old Carpenter born in Ohio, and most likely the older brother of Lewis. Lewis Rogers made his way to Oregon around 1853; he married Adelia; who was born in Missouri. It is not clear if he married her in Missouri or Oregon, but a mistake on the 1900 census indicates the couple married in 1853. They settled in Lane County, Oregon, and had their first child, a daughter named Mary B. who was born in 1855. He continued working as a Carpenter in Lane County. The 1860 census recorded that Lewis Rogers and his family were living in the Coastal Forks Precinct of Lane County, Oregon; the area around Cottage Grove. He had no Real Estate, he did however have $500 in Personal assets.
At some time prior to the birth of his daughter in 1855 Lewis Rogers, who was already a Mason, began to associate with other Masons in Lane County. Having gathered the requisite number of Masons, the Brethren applied to the Oregon Grand Lodge for a Dispensation to meet and form Spencer Butte Lodge U.D. The petition was granted on September 29, 1855 and Brother Rogers was selected as the first master of the Lodge. At the 6th Grand Communication the Lodge changed their name and was granted a Charter on June 10, 1856 under the name Eugene City Lodge No. 11. Worshipful Brother Rogers finished the year as Master, and in November he became the first elected Master of the Lodge for the year 1857, his second term in that office. During the year 1857 WB Rogers officiated over 18 of the 22 meetings held in the Lodge, his Senior Warden Eugene Skinner sat as Master for 3 of those meetings. Brother Rogers took a break from the officer line for the next three years, but in 1861 he was again elected Master. He served in that capacity through June of 1861, but after this he appears to have left the State for Walla Walla, Washington.
On November 1, 1862 the Lodge elected to have the Secretary inform all members behind on their dues that they needed to pay up or appear to give just cause by the November 29 Stated meeting. At that meeting a list of names was read which included Brother L.S. Rogers. At the meeting on December 16, 1862 a two week extension was granted, and at the January 3rd, 1863 Stated five brothers were named to be dropped. On January 17th the Worshipful Master Avery Smith delayed the announcement of those suspended until the Jan. 31st meeting. At that meeting Brother Samuel Hannah reported that it was the Lodge that actually owed him money and not the other way around, this found to be true he was reinstated, but the other four were dropped including Brother Rogers. The Lodge finally heard back from Brother Rogers on Feb. 14, 1863, having sent his dues payment he was duely reinstated. Along with his payment he reported that he “expected to remain in Walla Walla for some time” and requested a demit, which was granted.
By the time of the census taken June 17, 1870, Lewis Rogers, a Carpenter now 44 years old was living with his family in Seattle, King, Washington. He held $200 in Real Estate and $500 in Personal assets. Along wife his wife Adelia and daughter Mary, the family had added Kate L. age 7 and Fred A. age 5 who were both born in Washington Territory. Lewis Rogers was not noted again until June 12, 1900. On that census he was found to be an Architect age 74. His wife Adelia had passed, and he had married a widow named Angeline in 1891.
Lewis S. Rogers died sometime prior to 1906, at which time his widow Angeline had married to a William L. Rogers who was born in Ohio in 1833. (He does not appear to be related.)