Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 491 - 492 

KELITA A. ROGERS. Among the men who have been instrumental in the development of the rich resources of Southern Kansas, the subject of this sketch holds no unimportant position. He operates a large section of the best land of Afton and Garden Plain Townships. He also controls a large area of land near Medicine Lodge, in Barber County, on which he graces hundreds of cattle. He is noted as one of the largest stockmen in Sedgwick County. His herds roam over 2,000 acres of fine pasture, which is enclosed with substantial board and wire fencing, and there are, in connection with this, ample barns and sheds sufficient for the accommodation of 350 head of cattle, besides the other animals required for service and sustenance. One of the best of Fairbanks Standard scales ascertains correctly the weight of heavy bodies, cattle, hay or grain, and the other conveniences possessed by him for the use of the progressive agriculturist are hardly excelled by anything of the kind in this section of the country. One special feature of Mr. Rogers' enterprise was the building of a steam-mill, in which he grinds and cooks all the feed for his vast herds of cattle and hogs, obtaining the best of results by this process, making beef and pork at a minimum cost. The farm residence is a model of comfort and taste, and in its vicinity is an orchard of 200 fruit-bearing trees, while a vineyard of 1,000 grape vines and two acres of fine natural timber add to the attractions of this valuable piece of property. The whole is watered by a branch of Clear Creek, which irrigates the land for a distance of two miles, and is not only of great use, but serves to enhance the charms of the landscape. It is with pleasure that we present a full page view of his splendid residence and surroundings and his stock ranch.

            The moving spirit in the establishment of this farm and home is a native of Perry County, Ohio, and was born on the 5th of August, 1855. His earliest recollections are of the rural home of his parents, Nelson and Miriam (Saunders) Rogers, who were natives of Virginia, and are still living in Perry County, Ohio, where the father also follows farming and stock-raising. They reared six children, the eldest being a daughter, Sarah E., a bright and intelligent young lady, who is completing her studies in the college at Ada, Ohio; Kelita A., of our sketch, was the second born; Benjamin, after leaving the district school, took a course of instruction in the business college at Zanesville, Ohio, and is now the Treasurer of Perry County; Abishia L., a builder and contractor by trade, and a resident of Corning, Ohio, was married to Miss Carry Rich, who died on the 5th of January, 1888; David M. and Ida May are pursuing their studies in Ada, Ohio.

            Mr. Rogers, in common with his brothers and sisters, received the advantages of a good education, completing his studies in the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and remained a member of the parental household until reaching his majority. He had in the meantime occupied himself somewhat as a teacher, and now engaged in the insurance business, representing the New Jersey Mutual Life and many fire insurance companies. A year thus occupied satisfied him in this direction, and we next find him officiating as clerk in the office of the Sunday Creek Mining Company, of Columbus, Ohio, where he disposed of another twelve months, and then engaged as a butcher at Corning. Two years later he sold out to his brother, Abishia L., and engaged in the manufacture of churns, fashioning them after his own model, upon which he had been at work for some time, and obtained a patent. He still retains control of this.

            Mr. Rogers, now determining to enlarge his sphere of action, came in the fall of 1885 to Southern Kansas, having in view the business in which he is now engaged. He first purchased a quarter-section of land in Afton Township, this county, upon which he built, and subsequently added an entire section to the original purchase. From this he reached over into Garden Plain Township, taking there a half-section, and within two years from the time of purchase became convinced that he had found his mission. Besides buying and shipping, he has also engaged largely in breeding, and feeds annually about 325 head of cattle and 500 head of hogs, keeping for breeding purposes alone 100 head of cattle besides. Mr. Rogers' business grew to such proportions that by the spring of 1888 he removed his family from the farm to a beautiful home in the village of Garden Plain, thus enabling him to run the ranch by male help exclusively. Within his house now is to be seen a gentleman of ebony color, who with dexterity manipulates the cooking utensils, and keeps the place tidy and clean. From 250 to 300 acres of his property are usually planted in corn, and 400 acres of hay are mown. Winter is his most busy time; the mill is then run day and night in order to prepare feed for the hundreds of cattle and hogs that adorn his corrals. To give proper care and attention to these extensive interests absorbs the greater portion of his time, but as a public-spirited citizen he pauses between his pressing duties to interest himself in the welfare of his adopted county, and assist as opportunity offers the enterprises tending to its development and progress. He votes the straight Republican ticket, but has steadily declined becoming an office-seeker, being convinced that he can serve the interests of the public fully as well by sustaining principles of the party, and allowing other men to enjoy the offices.

            Mr. Rogers before leaving his native State selected for his wife Miss Beulah A. West, of Morgan County, Ohio, to whom he was married on the 12th of October, 1879. To them have been born four children: Delmer J., Willie C., Fannie B. and Frankie; the last-named died in infancy. Mrs. Rogers was born July 2, 1854, and is the daughter of Avery H. and Sarah (Taggert) West, natives of Ohio also, and the father a stonemason by trade. They are both living and reside in the vicinity of Portersville, Ohio. Of their thirteen children Elizabeth, the eldest, was married to John Curran, a blacksmith by trade, and they are both now deceased ; they were the parents of thirteen children : Margaret, the wife of Reese Holcomb, a prosperous farmer of Union County, Iowa, and the mother of seven children; Amos died when eighteen years old ; Lydia, Mrs. John White, is the wife of a well-to-do farmer of Morgan County, Ohio, and the mother of four children; Katie married John Golding, who is a machinist of Lancaster; she died on the 13th of June, 1887. Mary, Mrs. Lewis Alderman, is the wife of an attorney-at-law in Perry County, and the mother of one child; Beulah A., Mrs. Rogers, was the next in order of birth ; Matilda is unmarried, and living in Morgan County, Ohio. The remaining five children died in infancy.

            Mr. Rogers, before leaving Ohio, identified himself with the Knights of Pythias, and still continues a member of James A. Garfield Lodge No. 131, at Corning, Ohio. No portrait given in this volume is more worthy of a place among the best people of the county than that of this enterprising, public-spirited gentleman.

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