Biographical Sketch (1905):27, p. 723. "John Rogers was born in Orange County, New York, October 20th, 1800. His parents subsequently moved to Sussex County, New Jersey, and finally to Licking County, Ohio, in 1814. In 1821 he went to Richland County, Ohio, and shortly afterward married Miss Mary Hadley of Mt. Vernon. In the autumn of 1833 he came to Auglaize County and settled on the site of the Blackhoof village, where he became one of the two original founders of St. Johns. Two years later Clay Township was organized, and at the first election he was chosen trustee of the township. He afterwards held the office of Justice of the Peace. His wife died in 1841, and ten years later he married Mrs. Nancy Bechdolt. To the development of the community he contributed his full share; and having attained his eightieth year, he laid down the burden of cares and years, April 30, 1880, and embraced the rest which awaits even the restless. He was thus closely associated with the village and township, having assisted in the founding of both, and continued identified with them during a period of nearly half a century."

Biographical Sketch (1923):34, v. 2, p. 642. "It will be recalled that it was John Rogers - the senior John Rogers, the pioneer - who settled there in the northwest quarter of section 5 of Clay township in 1833, the year following the departure of the Indians, and that Daniel Bitler settled on an adjoining tract in the following year and opened on his land a store and a blacksmith shop, thus providing the nucleus for the later growth of the village which was platted by the joint owners of the site (Bitler and Rogers) in 1835. John Rogers was a New Yorker by birth but had come to Ohio with his parents when he was fourteen years of age, the family settling in Richland county, where he grew to manhood and was married. In 1833 he entered from the government the tract above referred to, which then was part of Union township, Allen county, and when in the next year (1834) Clay township was erected he was a judge of the first election held in that township and was elected township trustee. He afterwards also served for many years as justice of the peace and in other ways was a useful and influential public servant in the days of the beginning of that community, he and his wife Mary having been among the leading factors in the development of proper social conditions thereabout. This pioneer was eighty years of age at the time of his death in 1880."

1830 Birth of Son George:164, p. 138. Birth of George M. Rogers on Jul 21, 1830 in Saint Johns to John Rogers; George’s spouse, Hannah Bitter.

1834 Founding of Clay Township:846 "Clay Township was established and organized in 1834. The people were chiefly of English and German origin. Probably the first white settler to establish a permanent home was John Rogers in 1832. After Rogers came John Corder who lived for a time in the old lodge of Chief Blackfhoof. It was a log building 18x20 covered with clapboard and located in present St. Johns. The first election was held December 1834 with 11 votes cast. The first money spent for school purposes was $24. Clay Township includes four towns: St. Johns, Geyer, Santa Fe, and Gutman. Blackhoof Creek and Pusheta Creek drain into the Auglaize River. Clay Township had 36 square miles. St. Johns occupies the site of old Blackhoof Town. It was platted by Daniel Bitler and John Rogers in 1835. Mr. Bitler opened a store here in 1834 and the next year a hotel. Geyer was laid out in lots in 1893 by Geo. Geyer on his farm. A store, hotel, warehouse, and saloon were constructed. Several years later Geyer was incorporated. Gutman was named after John Gutman and his mother, Mrs. Nellie Gutman, who operated a dry goods and general store here. A grain elevator was constructed."

1837 Land Sale:508,509,510 Daniel Bitler Sr., Allen County, purchased three parcels land from John and Mary Rogers, Allen County, on March 13, 1837 for $72, $107, and $225.

1837 Land Sale:514 Henry Baughman, Allen County, purchased land from John and Mary Rogers, Allen County, on April 15, 1837 for $40.

1841 Birth of Son Alfred:164, p. 138. Birth of Alfred Rogers on Nov. 25, 1841, to John Rogers and Mary Hadley.

1842 Land Sale:515 Daniel Bitler, Allen County, purchased land from John Rogers, Allen County, on October 21, 1842 for $50.

1850 U.S. Census:1802
Ohio, Auglaize County, Clay Township
Enumerated 21 August 1850
John Rodgers •• 49, male, farmer, real estate value $6,000, born in New York
George •• 20, male, farmer, born in Ohio
Jane •• 18, female, born in Ohio, attended school within the year
Mitchell [Michael?] •• 15, born in Ohio, attended school within the year
Alfred •• 9, male, born in Ohio, attended school within the year

1880 Death Record:638, p. 134 (Probate Court Death records, v. 2, 1R) John Rogers, born in Maryland, age 79 years, 6 months, 20 days, died 30 April 1880 in Clay Township of lung fever.

1880 Obituary:290, v. 2, p. 346 (Auglaize County Democrat, 6 May 1880) John Rogers died April 30, 1880 at St. Johns, O. 80y. Was a Colonel of the militia. He died on land that he settled in 1833. Services from M. E. church.

1880 Obituary:290, v. 2, p. 42 of the Wapakoneta Bee section (Wapakoneta Bee, 6 May 1880) Colonel John Rogers died April 30, 1880 in St. Johns, O. 80y. Born Oct. 20, 1800 in Orange Co., New York. He accompanied his parents in early life to Sussex Co., New Jersey and then came to Ohio in 1814. In 1821 he married Miss Mary Hadley of Mt. Vernon, O., whom he survived nearly 40 years. In 1851 he married Mrs. Nancy A. Bechdolt, nee Coleman, daughter of James Coleman. His wife is 86 years old, has 7 children — Elizie H., George M., Michland Y., Alfred, John, Mrs. Jane Sommers and Mrs. Emma Looney. 11 grand children and 8 great grand children. United with St. Johns M. E. church in April of 1878. Came to St. Johns, O., in 1832. Buried in St. Johns Cemetery.

1880 Tombstone:171, v. 1, bk. 2, p. 264. St. Johns Cemetery, Union Township, Auglaize County, Ohio.
John Rogers Sr.
d. April 30, 1880
79y 6m 10d