1868-69
HISTORY
William Findlay Rogers was born in Forks Township,
near Easton, Pennsylvania, on March 1, 1820, the son of
General Thomas J. Rogers. Rogers moved to Philadelphia early
in life, studying at a select Quaker school for five years.
His father was a newspaper publisher, and Rogers learned
much about the printing industry. When his father died when
William was 12 years old, he was forced to abandon his education
and find a job.
He returned to Easton where he secured his first
job as a "printer's devil" in the office of the
Easton Whig
as a printer's apprentice, soon after mastering the art of typesetting.
After two years he went back to Philadelphia, where he was
employed by the Philadelphia Enquirer.
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.
When the call for 30,000 men was made by President
Lincoln
, Rogers immediately volunteered. While in Elmira, New York
in May 1861, awaiting orders, he was made Colonel of the
21st New York volunteers, or "Rogers' Rangers"
as they were called. He prepared his command and reported
to Washington in June 1861. He was ordered to take his regiment
to Fort Runyon, where he was placed in command of the post.
It was here that his force was connected with General Wadsworth
and went to Arlington Heights and Upton Hill, where they
were on duty until March 1862. At this time they joined
the army as they advanced upon the enemy.
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.
LIFE AS A MAYOR
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."
The Mayor was authorized by an act of the Legislature
to appoint a commission of twelve citizens with power to
acquire the land needed to build the park system. Mayor
Rogers
headed the commission, and the work began at once.
Another important project that was conducted under
his administration, and he was instrumental in was the establishment
of the State Insane Asylum (Buffalo
State Hospital) in Buffalo
He became the first secretary of the board of trustees,
and treasurer, which he held for many years.
He did not seek re-election to the office of Mayor.
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.
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.
In 1897 Rogers resigned as superintendent of the
Soldiers' Home
in Bath, New York and returned to Buffalo
.
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
.
