History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

1468

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

years. It is one of the oldest and likewise one of the most prominent
in connection with industrial affairs in the state. Alexander Rodgers
probably did as much as any other individual citizen to establish on a
solid basis the industrial prosperity of Muskegon, and throughout his
career was one of the most public spirited citizens. His son, Lincoln
Rodgers, is likewise prominent in manufacturing circles, is secretary and
treasurer of the Rodgers Boiler and Burner Works at Muskegon, is a
former member of the state legislature, and is one of the best known
local citizens.
Alexander Rodgers was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in I824, and
his death occurred in Muskegon in 1897. His father, also named
Alexander, was born in Scotland, was a farmer and owned a fine estate
near Edinburgh, and that homestead is still in the family possession.
The same year of his marriage, 1847, with his young bride, Alexander,
the son, set out for America, landing at Boston and from there going
to New York City. He was a mechanic, having served a thorough
apprenticeship in the Bolton Iron Works at Bolton, England, and on
landing at Boston secured employment as a machinist and followed that
line as a journeyman in various places. From New York City he came
west and located in Detroit in 1851, worked at his trade there, and later
moved to Romeo, Michigan, and thence to Lamont, where the Thomas
Ferry Iron Works were located and where he served that enterprise until
he came to Muskegon in I855. In this city Mr. Rodgers bought the iron
works previously owned by Ryerson & Morris. That purchase was
effected in I856. It was a very small industry at that time, and it was
due to the vigorous enterprise of Alexander Rodgers that it grew and
improved until the Rodgers Iron Manufacturing Company, incorporated
into a stock company with a capital of $90,oo0, has for years been
one of the most substantial and prosperous of Muskegon's industries.
The chief articles manufactured by the company are the Rodgers edgers,
the Essau Torrent log turner, Alexander Rodgers being half owner of
that patent; the Rodgers lathe mill and bolter, the machines being known
the world over wherever lumber is manufactured. In I878, Mr. Rodgers
formed a partnership with John Baptiste Lemaux for the manufacture
of lumber. Later he became associated with Adolph Lebeauf, and in
I886 the mill of the firm was moved to Tomahawk, Wisconsin, where
it was consolidated with the Wisconsin Land & Lumber Company. Two
years before the death of Mr. Rodgers the company was dissolved and
was then known as the Somo Lumber Company, in which he was the
principal stockholder. Alexander Rodgers was regarded as one of the
most public spirited men Muskegon ever had. At the time of his death
he left a large estate, owning a large amount of real estate in the city,
and his interests were of a very complex nature. He possessed business
ability which was exceptional, and his judgment and foresight were
regarded by many of his associates as almost infallible. He was a
Knight Templar Mason, a Republican in politics, served as supervisor
from the Fourth ward of Muskegon, and also acted as a member of the
Board of Public Works for some time.
In England, in I847, Mr. Rodgers was married to Jennette Pyle, who
was born in Sunderland, England, in I827, and whose death occurred
in I87I. She was a daughter of Richard Pyle, who was born in Scotland,
but moved to England, and there became a superintendent and general
manager of one of the largest glass blowing industries in that country.
In his time Mr. Pyle was the only glass maker who was uniformly successful in the manufacturing and marketing of what is known as art
glass. He became very wealthy through his operations, and his name
is prominent in the history of glass manufacture in England during the