In Alfred, N. Y., February 5, 1917, Orville M. Rogers, aged 73 years, 3 months and 15 days.
Mr. Rogers was the son of Clark and Lydia Stillman Rogers, and was born in the town of Wirt, Allegany Co., N. Y. With the exception of the first decade of his life, most of which was spent in Wisconsin, his home has been in Alfred. He completed a college course in Alfred University, but did not take a degree. After completing his college course he taught school in Jackson Center, Ohio for a time, and returning to Alfred, enlisted in the United States Navy, September 3, 1864. The war being over, he was honorably discharged, September 6, 1865, and returned to his home in Alfred. For five or six years following the war, he was engaged in mining and teaching in California. After this experience he taught in the public schools of Alfred for many years. This he finally gave up and sought work that would give him more exercise and the open air.
June 25, 1892, he and Miss Ida Lewis were united in holy wedlock. Besides his wife he is survived by one brother, Mr. Alburtus C. Rogers, of Alfred. and one half-brother., Mr. Frank L. Rogers, of Providence, R. I.
In his natural endowments he was markedly literary, and these tastes he had cultivated. Not only did he read extensively from the writing of the wise, gifted, good and great authors of all ages, but he himself possessed skill as a writer and brought forth worthy productions, many of which may be found in the Alfred Student and the village paper of a generation past. He wrote many poems whose thought was noble and whose language was choice and elegant.
For about twenty years he was trustee of the university, being first elected to fill the vacancy caused by his father's death in 1889. He was a member of the B. Frank Maxson Post and had been its commander, and filled various offices therein.
A farewell service, conducted by Pastor William L. Burdick, was held at the house on February 8, and burial took place in Alfred Rural Cemetery. Wm. L. B.
