John H. Rogers

Who was John H. Rogers?

John Henry Rogers was an attorney, a federal judge and a U.S. Representative from Arkansas.

Born near Roxobel, North Carolina, Rogers moved to Mississippi in 1852 with his parents, Absalom and Harriet Rogers, who settled near Madison Station. His father became a wealthy planter, owning land worth more than $18,000 and 28 slaves. Rogers attended the local schools and was a student when the American Civil War began in 1861.

On March 15, 1862, Rogers and his brother William enlisted as privates in the Semmes Rifles, which became Company H of the Ninth Mississippi Volunteer Regiment. Rogers served in the same company until the end of the war, being wounded in action twice and receiving a commission as first lieutenant at age 19 for his bravery at the Battle of Franklin. At the war's end in May 1865, Rogers walked nearly a thousand miles from North Carolina to his home in Mississippi.

Rogers entered Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, but in 1867 transferred to the newly reopened University of Mississippi. After receiving his bachelor degree, he continued on and graduated from the law department of the University of Mississippi.