J. E. RODGERS, the well-known Recorder of Delaware county, who makes his home in the city of Delaware, has the honor of being a native of this locality, his birth having occurred in Scioto township on the 4th of October, 1862, and in that township he has spent nearly his entire life, coming to the city only when called here by his official duties.  He is an only son of Ezekiel and Mary (Dodds) Rodgers, both now deceased, the mother having passed away at the age of twenty-three years, while the father died in the fifty-ninth year of his age.  He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, held membership with Tanners Post, G. A. R., and was a highly respected citizen, whose sterling worth won for him many warm friends.  The Rodgers family was established in Delaware in 1830, and the Dodds family in 1813, and its members were therefore numbered among the pioneer settlers of this locality.
     No event of special importance occurred during the childhood and youth of our subject, who was reared to manhood under the parental roof in the usual manner of farmer lads.  After he had attained to years of maturity he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Tuller, the wedding being celebrated in 1885, and by their union have been born three children, namely: Imel B., LeRoy and Clarence.
     When the grandparents of our subject came to Delaware county, they located land and developed a farm which is now the property of J. E. Rodgers, and he continued its cultivation with good success until November, 1893, when he was nominated and elected to the office of County Recorder.  He then came to the city, and has since devoted his time to the discharge of his official duties, administering the affairs of the position in a very acceptable manner.  His long residence in this county has made him widely known, and his well-spent life has gained him high regard.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, p. 373
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

SOLOMON ROSEVELT, one of the venerable citizens of Ashley, Delaware county, Ohio, has been a resident of this place since 1865, coming here from New York city.
     He was born in Alburg, Vermont, April 27, 1807, son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Wildy) Rosevelt, and was reared to farm life in Clinton county, New York.  When he was eighteen he went to New York city, and entered upon a three years’ apprenticeship to the trade of ship-builder with the firm of Webb, Allen & Eckford.  After he had served his time he continued with the firm as their foreman in the ship-yards.  Subsequently he went to Keyport, New Jersey, and engaged in the business for himself, remaining there three years, and during that time constructing five vessels for the coasting trade.  Returning to New York city, he accepted the position of foreman for Brown & Bell, ship-builders, and remained with this firm for several years.  While he was with them the company took the contract for building the Baltic and Pacific, the first steamers that crossed the Atlantic.  Brown & Bell, finding they could not carry out the contract, sub-let the same to Mr. Rosevelt and J. S. Joyce, who, under the name of Rosevelt & Joyce, built the vessels and launched them.  After they had completed this contract they organized a new firm, the name of which was Rosevelt, Joyce & Co., which existed until 1865, a period of seventeen years, its career being marked by great prosperity.  Among the vessels erected by them were those owned and operated by the New York Mail Steamship Company, the Cromwell Line of steamers, and many of the East and North River ferry boats.  They built seven sailing vessels for A. A. Low & Bros, and the Horace Beals and Ephraim Williams for C. P. Dixon, and they also fitted out the vessels for the Burnsides & Banks expedition, as well as two for the United States Navy.—the last two being highly commended by the naval officers.
     In 1865 Mr. Rosevelt sold his interest in the above-named business, and came West to Delaware county, Ohio, where he had purchased a farm the previous year.  He had also purchased land in Morrow county.  He built the first brick building in Ashley, a two-story business block, it being the second brick building in the township, and he also erected a number of substantial residences here.  Since coming to Ashley, however, he has devoted the most of his time to superintending his farms, and has lived rather a retired life.  He has amassed a handsome fortune, and is now enjoying the rest that comes after years of honest toil.  Mr. Rosevelt’s life has been an exemplary one.  He has been strictly temperate in all things.  He never took a drink of whisky, smoked a cigar or took a chew of tobacco in his life.
     Politically he is a Democrat.  He has served as a member of the Town Council of Ashley, and for nine years was Cemetery Trustee.  Early in life he was a member of Oak Lodge, No. 28, I. O. O. F., but his business cares subsequently drew him from the order.
     Solomon Rosevelt was married in New York city, December 7, 1829, to Miss Elizabeth Morris.  She was born in New York city, December 25, 1811, and died March 6, 1859.  They had ten children, five of whom grew to maturity, and three of that number are still living.  These three are as follows: William H., a resident of Columbus, Ohio, connected with the Columbus Transfer Company; George W., more extended mention of whom is given below; and Charles E.; Postmaster of Ashley.  The two who grew up and are deceased were Maria and Margaret E.  The former, the wife of Martin Wing, left four children; and the latter, the wife of W. W. Stratton, left one child.  In 1859 Mr. Rosevelt married Mrs. Mary A. Stratton, widow of Joseph Stratton, of New York city.  She is also deceased.
     George W. Rosevelt, son of Solomon Rosevelt, was born in New York city, September 15, 1844, and was reared and educated there.  When he was fourteen he was employed as assistant bookkeeper for the firm of Finken & Wheatley, sugar refiners on Wall street, which position he filled for two years and a half.  When he was seventeen he enlisted in the Union army for service in the civil war, but on account of his youth his father caused his return home.  Several times he attempted to enter the army, but each time his father brought him back.  Finally, however, he was successful in his attempt, and he went into service with the Twenty-second New York Militia.  He was in the battle of Gettysburg and in several skirmishes.
     Previous to his entering the army he had gone to work for his father in the shipyards, first as bookkeeper in the office, and afterward in other departments of the work, and he finally became a skilled mechanic.  He continued with his father until the latter sold out and came West, and after that he worked for his father’s successors, and continued in the shipyards until November 30, 1875, when he, too, came to Ashley, Ohio.  Here he carried on a general merchandise business until 1884, when he sold out to I. N. Cox, and from 1884 until 1891 he was in the regalia business, at the head of the firm of George W. Rosevelt & Co.  In 1885 he accepted the position of United States Storekeeper and Gauger of the Eleventh District of Ohio, and continued as such until October 1, 1889, when he was relieved.  August 1, 1893, he was recalled to fill a vacancy, and he still occupies that position.  Since 1891 he has also been engaged in the boot and shoe business.  He has been a notary public since 1887.
     Mr. Rosevelt is a stanch Democrat, and is very prominent in the political affairs of the county.  He has been a delegate to both county and State conventions, and has officiated as president of cacuses [sic].  Indeed, few men in Delaware county have been more active, either in business or politics, than George W. Rosevelt.  He is a member of the following organizations: the Free & Accepted Masons, in which he has risen to the Scottish Rite degree; the Knights of Pythias; and the Grand Army of the Republic.  In 1893 he was appointed Aid-de-camp on the staff of L. H. Williams, Commander of the Department of Ohio, Grand Army of the Republic, and is now a delegate to the State Encampment.
     He was married July 25, 1865, to Miss Mary E. Perry, a native of New York City.  They have had two children, both of whom are deceased,—Hannah E. and George A.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 326-328
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

WILLIAM ROWE, one of the leading citizens of Porter township, Delaware county, was born on the farm where he now lives, February 27, 1861, a son of John Rowe.  The latter was born in Cornwall, England, and came to the United States when twenty-nine years of age.  He was married, at Mount Vernon, Ohio, to Elizabeth Sherman, a native of Bedford, England.  After residing on a farm in Knox county, near Mount Vernon, they located on the place where our subject still resides, the same then consisting of seventy-five acres.  By industry and good management they accumulated a fine landed estate of 578 acres, all under a fine state of cultivation.  Mr. and Mrs. Rowe had eleven children, six now living, viz.: John H., Elizabeth Huddleson, Eliza Barker, W. M., Frank and Fanny Miller.  The deceased children were: Samuel, Levina A., Sarah, Emma and a babe unnamed.  The mother departed this life in 1889, at the age of seventy-three years, and the father died in 1891 aged eighty years.  He was a life-long farmer, was identified with the Republican party, and was a member of the Methodist Church.
     William Rowe, our subject, owns sixty-five acres of the old home farm, where he has all the necessary farm improvements.  August 31, 1882, he was united in marriage to Maggie Merredith, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and a daughter of George and Nancy (Stith) Merredith, who were the parents of six children, only two of whom survive, Jonny Benny and Maggie Rowe.  The deceased were: Anna Belle, Emma A., Henry and Chester.  Mr. Merredith was a farmer by occupation.  He cast his vote with the Democratic party, and was a member of the Baptist Church.  Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have five children,—Charles J., Frederick A., George Waldo, William Carroll, and Lola Pearl.\
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, p. 490
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

ROBERT ROWLAND, a prosperous farmer residing near Radnor, Delaware county, Ohio, dates his birth in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, in September, 1834.  His parents, Richards and Mary (Roberts) Rowland, both were natives of North Wales.
     In 1854 the subject of our sketch emigrated to America and took up his abode in Cattaraugus county, New York.  A year later he removed to Columbus, Ohio, and from there, that same year, he came to Radnor and engaged in farming.  He has resided on his present farm since 1864 and has been very successful in his operations, now being the owner of two other farms, both near his homestead, one comprising 188 acres and the other seventy-two acres.  His mother died in her native land, and in 1869 his father came to America to live with him, and. here spent the rest of his days, and died February 25, 1886.  Both parents were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
     Robert Rowland was married April 20, 1864, to Martha M. Jones, who was born on the farm on which they now live September 2, 1844, daughter of John and Sarah (Thomas) Jones, her father having settled this land—102¾ acres.  Both the Jones and the Thomas families were among the early settlers of this part of the county.  Mr. and Mrs. Jones had six daughters and one son, beside Mrs. Rowland, and Mrs. Rowland and two of her sisters are the only ones of the family now living, namely: Mrs. Margaret Prichard, of Illinois, and Mrs. Sarah A. Griffiths, of Allen county, Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have had four children,—Mollie A., Richard, George and William.  The oldest died at the age of twenty-three years.  The others are at home.
     In politics Mr. Rowland is a Republican and has very acceptably filled several local offices.  Both he and his wife are members of the Welsh Congregational Church, at Radnor.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, p. 501
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.