Albert Clark Rogers was born in Preston, N. Y., January 23, 1850, and died at his home in Los Angeles, California, on December 23, 1923, after an illness of about three days. His death was attributed to heart failure in connection with intestinal influenza.
Doctor Rogers was graduated, in liberal arts, from Oxford Academy and from Alfred University, New York. He was also graduated from the medical department of the University of New York City. For a time he was a general medical practitioner and surgeon in Brookfield, N. Y. He then entered upon a post-graduate course in medical studies at his Alma Mater. This work was followed by a course at the New York Polyclinic and Post Graduate Medical School in New York City. He was, for a time, head surgeon at the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital of New York City. Later he took post-graduate work in London, Berlin and Vienna.
He came to Los Angeles in 1887, which was then but little more that a Spanish trading post. As that little village grew up into a city of a million people, he grew with it, in his profession and in influence in city affairs. He has long been recognized as one of the foremost professional men of the city. He was the first physician in the city to specialize in the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat. In this line of practice he held a prominent place in the front rank of his fellow practitioners of the state. For a long term of years he was physician for the Southern Pacific railroad.
The doctor's attention was not confined alone to the activities of his profession. He was a stock owner in the Security Bank, one of the largest in the city. He was also a stock owner and a director in the National Bank of the near-by city of Santa Monica.
Doctor Rogers was a man of generous heart and deep, tender sympathies. Smiles and kind words for those about him, with a liberal, open hand for worthy people and objects of need, were among his characteristics of life. Many needy ones enjoyed his bounties, who never knew from whence they came. Not a few of those who had no means of remunerating him, were saved from blindness by his skill and generosity.
He had a wide circle of friends in his home city, who will sadly miss him and feel their loss. But such ones are very grateful that they have been permitted to know him, be associated with him and share his friendship.
In his youth he became a Christian and joined the Preston Seventh Day Baptist Church. Later his membership was transferred to Brookfield, where it was held at the time of his death. The Los Angeles Church received his fullest sympathies, co-operation and very generous financial support.
Mrs. Alice Rogers, his bereaved companion; a son, Albert J. Rogers, of Brookfield; a daughter, Mrs. Muriel Babcock, of Great Neck, Long Island, N. Y., children by a former marriage, and numerous other relatives and many friends of Brookfield and elsewhere in the east, with his many friends in the Pacific West, are left in bereavement.
Farewell services were held in Los Angeles, on December 27, 1923, conducted by his pastor, Geo. W. Hills, of the Seventh Day Baptist Church of that city. These services were followed by an impressive Masonic service in his honor. The attendance was very large, which, with many floral offerings and other marks of regard, bore clear evidence of the esteem in which he was held by those who knew him.
His remains were carried back to his old Brookfield home for interment, where the final services will be held. G. W. H.
