Ruel Mills Rogers

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Dr Ruel Mills Rogers Birth: 19 Jan 1833 York, Livingston County, New York, USA Death: 6 Feb 1903 (aged 70) Pleasant Grove, Utah County, Utah, USA Burial: Draper City Cemetery, Draper, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA Plot: A-108-4 Memorial #: 8959106

Bio: Son of Isaac Rogers and Susan Mills

Married Diannah Lovina Donaghe, 8 Dec 1853, York, Livingston, New York Children - Althea Lovina Rogers, Madonna Frances Rogers, Ronaldo Mace Rogers, Roswell Medwin Rogers, Colenda Chrilla Rogers, Susan Ann Eliza Rogers, Nellie Evelyn Rogers, Roxie Miriam Rogers, Allie Zittella Rogers, Ruel Mills Rogers

Married Augusta Comfort Enniss, 3 Jun 1863, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UtahChildren - Athena Augusta Rogers, Ramson Manlius Rogers, Arsena Elizabeth Rogers, Raphael Magnus Rogers, Ida May Rogers, Ross Milton Rogers, Roscoe Menton Rogers, Rulon Mida Rogers, Royal Milford Rogers, Rural Maeser Rogers, Narcissia Edith Rogers, Pearl Ennis Rogers

Married Johanna Catherine Nielsen, 21 Dec 1867, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, UtahChildren - Victoria Maria Rogers, Rufus Milan Rogers, Ruella Pearl Rogers, Lillie May Rogers, Katharine Naomi Rogers, Randolph Mercer Rogers, Amanda Bell Stone, Mary Effie Rogers

Married Nancy Jane Allen, 14 Sep 1874, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah HistoryChildren - Ruel Mills and Diannah Lovina Donaghe Rogers by Colenda Evelyn Adams Robbins Ruel Mills Rogers, publicly known as Doctor Rogers, was the son of Isaac and Susan Mills Rogers and was born in York, Livingston County, New York, and 19 January 1833. When he was but a small child his father and family moved from York to Kirtland, Ohio where they joined the Latter-day Saint Church and became intimately acquainted with the prophet Joseph Smith. From Kirtland the family moved to New Orleans and then to Terrecoupe, Indiana. During this time the mother, Susan Mills Rogers, died leaving the care of the family to the father.When Ruel Mills was eleven years of age, his father married again, which caused a breaking up of the family. At this time, he and his brother Alma, who was two years younger, left the old home. Their father and younger brothers and sisters and walked back to York, Livingston County, New York, their former home, and there made their home with his sisters and brother–in-law who was a medical doctor. After living with them a short time, the brother-in-law asked Ruel Mills what he would like to become and was told he would like to be "what he was," meaning a doctor. This pleased the brother-in-law very much and in due time he made an apprentice of him, placing him in a drug store and allowing him to visit his office.It's not long after this that the brother-in-law died of cholera, causing the apprenticeship to stop. The two boys, Ruel Mills and Alma, and their sister buried their loved one in a trench in the yard.Ruel Mills, although only a boy and scarcely able to take care of himself, made friends very quickly and because of this the partner of his brother-in-law, a Dr. Campbell, became interested in him and thus took it upon himself to continue the education of the boy. Ruel Mills studied very hard and worked his way through the lower grades of school and as an apprentice. He soon entered the McDowell Medical College at St. Louis Missouri, from which college he graduated as Dr. R. M. Rogers, in 1854, thus realizing his boyhood desire.On 8 December 1853, Ruel Mills married the beautiful, Miss Diamond Lovina Donaghe. The former Diannah Lovina Donaghe was born in Warsaw, Benton County, Missouri, 4 December 1836 to Hugh Caslin and Eliza Lindsay Donaghe. She was the eldest child in a family of seven. The father followed the tanners trade and became quite well-to-do. During the time when the Negroes were being bought and sold as slaves among the white people, the Donaghes had their slaves and servants.The Donaghes did not belong to the Mormon Church, thus Lovina, as she was called, was a non-member when she met Doc. R. M. Rogers. They were married 8 December 1853. After she married Dr. Rogers, she too studied, along with him and became a licensed doctor or midwife.After their marriage, the Rogers lived for a time in Ruthledge, McDonald County, Missouri, where a daughter, Susan Anne Eliza, was born to them 21 May 1855 and a son, Renaldo Mace was born 21 February 1857. While at this place their little daughter died at the age of two years, in the year of 1857, and was buried there.From here they moved to Charleston, Arkansas. There a second daughter, their third child, Madonna Francis, came to bless their home 15 February 1859.When the civil war broke out, the call came for all men who were able to go the scene of the battle and fight for the worthy cause. Dr. Rogers had no desire to take sides with either the North or the South but if he remained in that area he must fight for the country. So disregarding the fact that he would be arrested on a charge of desertion if he left Arkansas, he and his wife and two small children, with provisions and weapons of protection began their long journey, in a covered wagon, to that place, far distant inhabited by the Mormon people.Lovina's family, her parents who were wealthy, pleaded and begged her to stay with them. They offered her a good home, slaves, servants and anything her heart desired. But her heart was with her husband. She broke from them leaving them in tears and with out-stretched arms and with her husband followed the call of the west.In order to accomplish their purpose they had to take every precaution possible. They traveled many miles before they felt safe in making a fire to cook their meals for fear they would be over-taken by the Southern officers. But one night they came to a woods and thinking they were far enough away that no one would see their camp, they stopped, built a fire, and began to prepare their meal and rest. When upon looking back along the road they had previously traveled, they beheld the officers riding at break-neck speed and calling to them to "halt." Dr. Rogers had presence of mind enough to obey the officers and be friendly with them, and he instructed his wife to do likewise. They greeted the officers and invited them to partake of their food with them. During this time, Mrs. Rogers had taken her two children and walked out through the thickest woods until she came to a hollow tree trunk lying on the ground. There she deposited her gun which she had previously strapped to her body underneath her skirt, in fear of having their wagon and provisions searched, should they be discovered. She then returned unconcernedly to their camp where she and the doctor talked and laughed with the officers, while they ate. Upon finishing the meal, Dr. Rogers procured a container of liquor from their store of provisions and offered a drink to the officers. They accepted and drank. Each drink invited another until they became intoxicated and fell asleep. The Doctor and his wife worked quickly and quietly in recovering their guns and mounting their horse. Leaving their wagons and all of their provisions, they sped away toward their destinations.As they wended their way another obstacle presented itself before them. The Indians! Great was their fear and anxiety as they rode along for well they knew that the red-skinned people inhabited the uncivilized county and what might happen to them, innocent and harmless and their two tiny children. They shuddered to think of it.They had not long to wait, however, for soon they heard that well-known war cry and knew that the Indians were on their path. As they came nearer the old Indian chief made his way toward them. Instead of bringing trouble, he handed them the "Indian Peace Pipe" which they willingly accepted to show them they were peaceful. Mrs. Rogers had beautiful long hair and the Indians tried to barter with them, offering them beads, moccasins, etc. for her hair. Doctor Rogers very kindly objected and they gave them no further trouble. With much lighter hearts, they rode on and on until they arrived in Utah, the Queen of the West, their future home, in the year 1861.After arriving in Utah, they located in Draper. Here the Doctor set up his medical practice and taught school and Sunday school and soon became a very active and respected citizen. In this new location Lovina applied her medical knowledge and was a wonderful helpmate to Doctor in his chosen profession.During their stay in Draper, two more children were added to their family, Ruel Mills Jr. who was born 4 November 1862, and Althea Lovina (Halliday, Adams) born 3 October 1864.On 5 June 1864, while still living in Draper, the Doctor married Augusta Comfort Enniss of Draper and thus entered into polygamy.This new Mrs. Rogers, Augusta Comfort Enniss Rogers was born in Riford, Herefordshire, England, 26 August 1847, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Enniss. Augusta became the mother of eleven children who are as follows: Athena Augusta, born in Draper, 14 June 1864; Ransom Manline, born in Moroni, Sanpete County, 28 December 1865; Arsena Elizabeth, Moroni, 5 August 1867; Rapael Magnus, in Moroni, 27 September 1869; Ida Mae, born at Draper 20 January 1872; Ross Milton, born at Provo, 31 March 1874; Roscoe Menton, Provo, 19 February 1876; Royal Milford, born at Provo Bench (Now Orem) 9 June 1879; Rural Maeser, Provo Bench, 13 March 1882; Narcissa Edith (known as Daisy) born at Provo Bench, 24 September 1884; Pearl Enniss, Provo Bench, 31 March 1886.In 1865 the Black Hawk war broke out and every able-bodied man was called to go forth to protect his family, friends and property from the Indians. Having previously been called to take his family and help build up Sanpete County, Doctor Rogers now entered the war as a physician and surgeon. He encountered many trying experiences in connection with the battle. At one time he was separated from the company to which he belonged and was without water for three days, which very nearly caused his death. Later he found his company and returned to his home in Moroni safely. He and his family resided there for seven years during which time two of Lovina's children were born: Roswell Medwin, born 20 March 1867, and Colenda Chrilla Rogers (Adams), born 12 April 1869.Here also the Doctor courted a third time and on 22 December 1867, he married Hannah Katherine Nelson. This third Mrs. Rogers was born at Alton, Illinois 17 March 1850. From this union were born the following children: Victoria Marie, born at Moroni, Sanpete, Utah, 10 March 1870; Effie Mary, born at Draper, Salt Lake, Utah, 13 November 1872; Rufus Milton, born at Provo, Utah, Utah, 8 July 1876; Ruella Pearl, born at Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah, 20 October 1878; Lily Mae, born at Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah, 27 March 1881; Kate Naomi, born at Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah, 28 March 1886.On 1 April 1871, while yet residing in Moroni, Doctor Rogers was called to Salt Lake County on business. Soon after he left on his journey his eldest son, Rinaldo Mace, then fourteen years old, thinking to plan an "April Fools" joke on his mother, took his gun outside the yard to shoot it. The gun would not go off as he expected so he looked into the barrel to determine the cause. The gun went off and shot Rinaldo Mace, killing him instantly. This was a great loss to the Rogers' and caused deep grief and mourning in the whole family. They buried him in Moroni City County and soon after, with heavy hearts moved back to their old home in Draper.The Doctor continued the practice and his teaching in Draper. Here another daughter was born to this first Mrs. Rogers, 13 September 1871. This daughter they named Allie Zatelle Rogers (Jensen).A very good position then presented itself in Provo City and he sold his home in Draper and with his three wives and their families located in Provo. Here Doctor Rogers established one of the first drug stores in the city, the city Drug Store, as it was called, which was located on Main Street.As a doctor he did a great work in Provo, traveling many miles with a horse drawn buggy to care for the sick. In this city, Lovina, the first wife's youngest children were born: Roxie Miriam, born 1 August 1874; and Nellie Evelyn, born 22 June 1877.At this time there was uninhabited land on Provo Bench, (Orem now) and Dr. Rogers "took up" a quarter section of land on the ridge between Pleasant Grove and Provo, under the Homestead Act and moved his first wife, Lovina and family there in 1877.The doctor himself remained in Provo with his second and their wives to be near his business at the Drug store. Shortly after this he moved his home and drug store in Provo and "took up" two more quarter sections of land adjourning the first section, making 480 acres in all, and moved the rest of the family there, giving to his wives, each a quarter section to live on. From this time on, Doctor Rogers practiced for the most part on Provo Bench and Pleasant Grove and surrounding towns as far north as Salt Lake.The three large families lived a very interesting life on this large ranch on Provo Bench, it being located at the foot of the dividing ridge. Dr. Rogers owned several head of cattle, horses, and mules, some sheep, chickens and turkeys. His medical practice made it impossible for him to care for his cattle and land himself so he hired men to do his farming under his own accurate management.The children of these three families enjoyed each other's company almost as if they were neighbors and friends. Going hiking and horse back riding in the hills and around the ranch was their chief diversion. There was no school within the reach of the small children at the ranch so Dr. Rogers built a small frame house, a private family school house and there his oldest daughter Frances (Fannie, as she was lovingly called) who had been to school at the Brigham young Academy, taught the children. There little family school opened at nine o'clock and closed at four o'clock and was conducted much the same as the public school. Dr. Rogers was very strict with his children and having furnished them with books required them to study in the evenings the lessons their sister had taught them in their little day school. In order to attend Sunday school and to do their marketing it was necessary for them to walk or ride horse back three miles into Pleasant Grove.Among the pleasures and joys experienced during their ranch life came trials and tribulation and great sorrowing which seems to find its way into the lives of the entire human race. In much the same way as the pioneers were tormented with grasshoppers, so were Dr. Rogers's crops year after year, destroyed by wild rabbits and grasshoppers. Moving in great droves they would devour the crops. It took the doctor, the hired men, all the children and dogs and guns to drive the rabbits from the fields.One trying experience which has often been told ran as follows: On July 1887 two small neighbor boys made a bonfire across the ridge from the Rogers farm to roast potatoes. A high wind arose and the fire became uncontrollable for the small boys. The fire spread across the ridge onto Dr. Rogers farm, into the grain fields. The quick action on the part of all members of the family and with the help of neighbors, they were able to get it stopped by plowing a ditch through the field and by beating out the flames. There being no water available, they brought it under control, but not before most of the grain was burned and all the fencing and all of the chickens.Sickness also attacked the family from time to time. The Doctor had married a fourth wife, Nancy Allen, and had built her a little home on the farm. However Nancy lived only a short time and had no children (her little house is still standing as of 1977 at the side of the large canal which runs through that part of the country). Sickness struck again when, in 1880 Lovina's oldest daughter Fannie, who had attended school at Provo, prepared herself for teaching and became the family school teacher, contracted "inflammation of the bowels." Fannie passed away 20 February and was buried in Draper. At the time of her death, Fannie was engaged to marry Joseph B. Keeler of Provo. Mr. Keeler later had her sealed to him.That fall after the daughter's death, the doctor moved Lovina and her family to Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah. He purchased a house just east of what was then called the "Mercantile Store, (it is now Smith's Market and a barber shop and the house stood on the ground which later became the school campus and ball field and still later a part of the city complex in 1978).There he furnished one room for a drug store, which was the first drug store in Pleasant Grove, and Lovina made and sold ice cream from the part of the house which she occupied until 1892. Shortly after he began his first drug store in the home, he rented a building on Main Street, on the west side of the street and moved his drug store business there. He hired a druggist by the name of Mr. Collett as manager of the store. Still later he moved into another location on the east side of the street at the head of Main Street. In this new location he and his son Royal managed the business themselves. Then in 1891 this building burned down which necessitated their move to still another location on the east of Main Street. It was at this new place where tragedy struck again when his daughter, Arsena, while working at the drug store was accidentally shot and killed by Grey K. Robinson, 17 June 1892.In the early days of the church, the Lord revealed the principal of plural marriage to the Prophet Joseph Smith and commanded that the Prophet and leading men practice it as part of the restitution of all things. This was done in all purity and virtue to build the kingdom of God on the Earth.When Brigham young led the Saints to the Salt Lake valley, by commandment it was practiced openly despite the animosity and prejudices of worldly people until 1890. At that time, conditions had grown to such a state that the Lord, by revelation, withdrew the commandment to continue the practice. President Wilford Woodruff issued the manifest, directing that it cease. During all this time the faithful Saints who had practiced the law of polygamy according to the government as well as citizens who were unbelievers of the L.D.S. faith. As a result, when caught, the men were sent to prison for a year and up. Many of them, to avoid being sent to prison, hid out in what was called the "underworld" which was attics, cellars or wherever they could until they were eventually caught.Because of the persecution in Utah, many of the wives and families fled into Star Valley, Wyoming. Thus, the doctors third wife, Katherine took her family there because the second wife, Augusta, was the first wife married to Dr. Rogers under Utah Statutes. She was the only wife considered to be his legal wife. The first wife, Lovina, though she traveled with him through trial and sorrows and was partner to him in business and in his great accomplishments, now was not considered his wife at all in the eyes of the law. She was not allowed to visit him while he served his prison term nor to be considered at his trial, which caused deep sorrow among the family members. Soon afterward, Lovina, with her youngest daughter, Nellie Evelyn, moved back to Provo, where Nellie attended school at the Brigham Young Academy.Dr. Rogers remained in Pleasant Grove with his second wife, Augusta, and the remaining members of her children (many had married). He was taken very suddenly ill with pneumonia and passed way at his home there, 6 February 1903, at the age of 70 years. He was buried in Draper, Utah.At the time of his death his drug store business was well kept and flourishing and his medical practice wide spread. He was a great actor; being one of the main characters in the dramas that were put on by a prominent company of the community as the major entertainment remembered so well by all who lived in Pleasant Grove at that time. Dr. Rogers was an artist and excelled in beautiful scrolling and penmanship. He was a well-known character throughout the country for his many accomplishments.He was neat, very strict and commanding as to nature; straight forward and alert. He was small in stature and strong in body, and mind and soul. He was truthful to his God and to his country and man. A person to look up to and respect as one who came to this earth and performed his mission dutifully.Augusta, the doctor's second wife, died in Pleasant Grove, Utah, 11, Sept, 1903 of cancer of the stomach and was buried in Draper, Utah.The third wife, Hannah Katherine Nelson Rogers, died in Lindon, Utah, 18 September 1904 of cancer of the stomach, and was buried in the Provo City Cemetery.After Dr. Rogers passed away, Lovina and her daughter, Nellie, lived on together in Provo until Nellie found his chosen mate and married which left her mother alone. As she grew older she had a very severe attack of Lagrippe as it was called then, which left its after affects in the forms of leakage of the heart. Knowing this weakness in her health, her daughters were reluctant to leave her alone so Colenda, who had become Mrs. Joseph H. Adams, sent her daughter, Roena, who was just a young girl, to stay with her.One day while Roena was living with her, they decided to go to visit another daughter, Althea Rogers Halliday, who also lived in Provo. As they prepared to leave for their visit, Roena was instructed to go out the front door of the house to the waiting vehicle at the gate while his grandmother locked the back door. Roena waited in front but the grandmother did not come immediately as she expected so Roena ran around the house to see what might be delaying her. There on the back door step, the little girl found the grandmother dead. This occurred 4 June 1906 and she was laid to rest in the Provo City cemetery.Mrs. Rogers was a large woman, very strong but with a neat build, quiet and very unassuming and uncomplaining but proud of her heritage and her family. She was of dark complexion, having an abundance of long, dark hair, which was inclined to curl. She lived a life of service, having raised ten children and helping whenever needed, in the families of the other wives. Being a doctor and a nurse, she was always active in her line of work in the community and surrounding territory. She also took up dressmaking and was a perfect helpmate to her Doctor husband, a courageous soul.

Inscription: On the frontside of headstone: Son of Isaac and Susan Rogers. Born Jan 19, 1833 York Livington Co., N.Y. Emmigrated to Utah in 1861. Died Feb 6, 1903 Pleasant Grove. On the backside of headstone: Augusta Comfort Enniss August 26, 1847 - Sep 11 1903. Nancy J. Allen. Died - Sept 14, 1874. Gravesite Details 'Children of Dr. Ruel Mills Rogers' Headstone: Madonna Frances 15 Feb 1860 - 20 Feb 1880; Ruel Mills Jr. 5 Nov 1862 - 6 Mar 1874; Mother: Diannah Lovina Donaghue; Arsena Elizabeth 5 Aug 1867 - 17 Jun 1892; Ross Milton 31 Mar 1874 - 13 May 1875; Rosc

Family Members

Parents

 Isaac Rogers                 1794-1880

 Susanne Mills Rogers                 1794-1841

Spouses

 Dianah Lovina Donaghe Rogers                 1836-1906

 Nancy Jane Allen Rogers                 1845-1874

 Augusta Comfort Ennis Rogers                 1847-1903

 Johanna Catherine Nielsen Rogers                 1849-1904

Siblings

 Samuel Curtis Rogers                 1822-1909

 Alma Denton Rogers                 1836-1918

Children

 Susan Ann Eliza Rogers                 1855-1857

 Rin D Loo M. Rogers                 1857-1871

 Madonna Frances Rogers                 1859-1880

 Ruel Mills Rogers                 1862-1874

 Althea Lovina Rogers Adams                 1864-1939

 Athena Augusta Rogers Bennett                 1864-1956

 Aresena Elizabeth Rogers                 1867-1892

 Roswell Medwin Rogers                 1867-1937

 Colenda Chrilla Rogers Adams                 1869-1934

 Raphael Magnes Rogers                 1869-1952

 Victoria Maria Rogers                 1870-1887

 Allie Zittella Rogers Jensen                 1871-1944

 Ida May Rogers Gilbert                 1872-1901

 Ross Milton Rogers                 1874-1875

 Roxie Miriam Rogers Robison                 1875-1905

 Roscoe Menton Rogers                 1876-1905

 Rufus Milan Rogers                 1876-1938

 Nellie Evelyn Rogers Bridge                 1877-1918

 Rulon Midas Rogers                 1878-1878

 Ruella Pearl Rogers King                 1878-1944

 Royal Milford Rogers                 1879-1961

 Lillie May Rogers Meacham                 1881-1960

 Rural Maeser Rogers                 1882-1969

 Edith Narcissa Rogers Foutz                 1884-1975

 Pearl Enniss Rogers                 1886-1891

Maintained by: SMSmith (46491005) Originally Created by: John Warnke (46617227) Added: 20 Jun 2004 URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8959106/ruel-mills-rogers Citation: Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 04 December 2018), memorial page for Dr Ruel Mills Rogers (19 Jan 1833–6 Feb 1903), Find A Grave Memorial no. 8959106, citing Draper City Cemetery, Draper, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA ; Maintained by SMSmith (contributor 46491005) .