L. H. Rogers
L. H. Rogers, a prominent attorney and one of the leading citizens of Lima, was born February 28, 1865, in Wirt County, West Virginia, and remained in that State until about 20 years of age. He is a son of the late Charles W. Rogers, and has fought life's battles single-handed, having worked his way through college to his present eminent position with an ardor that insured success. Mr. Rogers first secured employment in the lumber business but, having a desire to find more congenial employment and also to acquire an education, he entered the Ohio Normal, now Ohio Northern, University, at Ada, Ohio, and was a close student for five years, graduating in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Having been elected principal of the Franklin School, at Lima, he at once entered upon his duties, and for nine years was the capable and efficient executive who inspired both teachers and pupils to put forth their best efforts, and made the school one of the best in the State. During this period all his spare time and his summer vacations were devoted to reading law, and the same optimistic nature which over- came the obstacles in his college days now enabled him to disentangle the knotty points and master the intricacies of legal lore. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1897; but he continued to hold his position in the Lima schools until 1900 when, much to the regret of the patrons, he gave up school work and began the practice of the law.
He was first associated with D. C. Henderson, the firm of Henderson & Rogers continuing until 1902, when Mr. Rogers was elected mayor of Lima. He served in that capacity one year, retiring when the new code, which was passed by the Ohio Legislature for the government of cities, into effect. Since then Mr. Rogers has practiced law alone and has built up a large and lucrative practice, which places him among the leading attorneys of Allen County.
While engaged in school work, he was also one of the members of the City Board of School Examiners, and continues to take a deep interest in the schools and, indeed, in any question of import to the municipality. In 1902 Mr. Rogers was nominated by the Republican party for Representative in Congress from the Fourth Congressional District. Although the district was overwhelmingly Democratic, Mr. Rogers succeeded in greatly reducing the normal Democratic majority.
In 1892, our subject was married to Lucile E. Everett, daughter of the late M. A. Everett, of Trumbull County, Ohio. Four Children have blessed their home, namely: Margaret, Everett Lewis, Josephine and William Addison. Mr. Rogers is quite prominent in fraternal circles, being past chancellor of Lima Lodge, No. 91, K. of P.; a member of Solar Lodge, No. 783, I. O. O. F.; D. O. K. K. ; Woodmen of the World; and Lima Tent, No. 142, K. O. T. M.