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Maj. Gen. William Findlay Rogers
File:MajGenRogers.jpg
Mayor of Buffalo

In office
1868–1869
Preceded by Chandler J. Wells
Succeeded by Alexander Brush
Member of the United States House of Representatives
In office
March 4, 1883 - March 3, 1885
Preceded by Jonathan Scoville
Succeeded by John M. Farquhar
Personal details
Born March 1, 1820
Forks Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
Died December 16, 1899(1899-12-16) (aged 79)
Buffalo, New York
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) married twice: Caroline Waldron, Phoebe Demony
Children four children
Military service
Allegiance United States
Union
Service/branch Union Army
Years of service 1861-1863
Rank Union Army colonel rank insignia Colonel
Union Army brigadier general rank insignia Bvt. Brigadier General
Commands 21st New York Infantry
Battles/wars American Civil War
[1]

William Findlay Rogers (March 1, 1820 – December 16, 1899) was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York.

Rogers is probably best remembered today as the mayor and parks commissioner who hired Frederick Law Olmsted to design Buffalo's park system and its showpiece, Delaware Park. Rogers also supported the foundation of the Buffalo Zoo.

Early years[]

William Findlay Rogers (son of Thomas Jones Rogers) was born in Forks Township, Pennsylvania, near the borough of Easton, Pennsylvania. He moved with his parents to Philadelphia, where he attended the common schools. Rogers returned to Easton and entered a printing office in 1832. Two years later, he returned to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and continued working at his trade.

Printing trade[]

Rogers established a paper at Honesdale, Pennsylvania, in 1840. He moved to Buffalo, New York, in 1846 and was foreman in the office of the Buffalo Daily Courier. Rogers established and managed the Buffalo Republic in 1850.

Civil War[]

Rogers served as a member of Company D of the Buffalo City Guard, in 1846, and served in the American Civil War as colonel of the 21st New York Volunteer Infantry. He mustered out in 1863. In 1867, he became the comptroller of the city of Buffalo and its mayor in 1869. He served as secretary and treasurer of the Buffalo park commissioners in 1871. He was nominated for the New York State Senate in 1878, but declined.

48th Congress[]

Rogers was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-eighth Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1884. He served as the superintendent of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home at Bath, New York, from 1887 to 1897.

Death[]

He died in Buffalo on December 16, 1899, and is interred in Forest Lawn Cemetery.[2]

References[]

  1. Rizzo, Michael (2005). Through The Mayors' Eyes. Lulu. pp. 424. ISBN 978-1-4116-3757-3. 
  2. Roll of Honor, The Buffalo Commercial, (Buffalo, New York) May 31, 1900, page 8, accessed May 19, 2017 at https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11102133/roll_of_honot_the_buffalo_commercial/

Sources[]

External links[]

Political offices
Preceded by
Chandler J. Wells
Mayor of Buffalo, NY
1868–1869
Succeeded by
Alexander Brush
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Jonathan Scoville
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 32nd congressional district

1883–1885
Succeeded by
John M. Farquhar
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