By Marcia Eaton, wife of Roger Eaton, grandson*
*Relation to Andy and/or Flora Lehr.
The story of how Flora Lehr’s grandparents met can be tracked back to the Orphan Train of the mid-1800s. The Orphan Train was a supervised program that transported children to foster homes. Some children were orphaned but some left because their families were too poor to care for them. The first Orphan Train went from Michigan in 1854 and would go to every Missouri town located near a railroad. As many as 100,000 children may have been placed in Missouri. Catholic Charities became involved and started a similar program in another state. Initially children were 3 to 17. Usually, two guardians would travel with a group of children.
Flora Rogers Lehr’s grandfather, Abner Jasper Rogers, rode an orphan train and this is how he ultimately met his future wife. Abner is not a popular name in our time, he was named after his grandfather. Five relatives had Abner as middle names. He is a direct descendant of Thomas Rogers, Mayflower passenger.
Abner lost his mother, Betsey Belding Rogers, at age 9. His father, Benjamin Rogers remarried during the following year, but passed within two years of Betsey.
That left 10 children with his stepmother. She took care of the children for a while but petitioned the court to release funds (for childcare) when she remarried. His stepmother only kept her natural son, Abner’s half-brother. It is unknow what happened to all the remaining younger siblings. The older ones married.
Leaving Lenawee, Michigan, Abner rode the orphan train to Bee Branch, Missouri around age 17-19. He was the hired farm hand for Hiram Epperly. In addition to his four sons, Hiram’s family included seven daughters. Bee Branch, Missouri is a township located in north-central Missouri. The township was named for the great amount of bee trees along the Bee Branch Creek.
On the 1860 census, Abner was nineteen. Minerva Epperly, one of Hiram’s daughters, was listed as seventeen (in the same census).
Abner and Minerva married in 1860. The 1870 census indicates that they had four children, including Flora’s dad, James “Frank” Rogers. Frank was born in Bee Branch Missouri in 1867. Abner and Minerva made their home next to her parents the Epperly’s.
The young newlywed, Abner, joined the Civil War for the Union in the 22nd Regiment, Missouri Infantry. His cousin, Calvin Otis Rogers joined the same unit. Calvin and Abner were born in 1841 and were one month apart in age. They both rode the orphan train to Missouri. Calvin lost his mother at a young age. His father had recently moved to Ohio, remarried, and had a new baby. As a result, Calvin went with his cousin on the orphan train to Missouri. During the Civil War Calvin had a baby daughter named Annie Flora Rogers, who sadly passed away as an infant. Calvin eventually lived in Colorado and Washington. Many Rogers relatives followed Calvin’s lead and relocated in Colorado.
Mary Emma Rogers was Abner’s youngest sister. She also rode the orphan train with her brother. She married Andrew Shelton at age 22 and stayed in Missouri. Abner traveled frequently to Missouri to visit her. She lived to be age 80.
During 1878, Abner and his family moved to Ellsworth Kansas for the farming opportunities along Oak Creek where he built a large two- story house. He sold the hogs he raised. He and Minerva had 6 children, Calvin, Frank, Ernest, Rosa, Gus, and Clarence. They all helped on the farm. Minerva’s parents, Hiram, and Margaret Epperly, also moved to Ellsworth.
Abner was an agricultural machine operator for several years, beginning in 1891. During 1892, Abner was a delegate to Topeka to nominate state officers and attended the Republican convention.
In 1898 Abner and Mr. Thomas launched a real estate business. Abner was very active in the community and instrumental in getting the railroad through Ellsworth.
Arthur Larkin (see article above) was regarded as the wealthiest businessman of Ellsworth, Kansas. In later years, he leased a hotel to Abner’s son, Frank Rogers.
Abner was proud of his service as a Private in the Union Army, 22nd Regiment, Missouri Infantry. His company, E, was transferred to the 10th Missouri Infantry. He attended several soldier reunions in the state. For his service, he received a $24.00 monthly pension. Abner liked to be called “Ab” by his friends.
After Abner’s wife Minerva died in 1896, at age 53, he began traveling more frequently. Fleeing the bitter Kansas winters, he spent his winters in Tampa, Florida. With a concern for his health, he would travel to Topeka for eye treatment. Hot Springs and Eureka Springs Arkansas were frequent destinations. He even spent a month in Alaska.
Abner was a very colorful character and was known to be well dressed. We uncovered over 160 news articles for Abner. He lived a full life with many adventures and travels. Shortly after Flora’s ninth birthday her grandfather died. He was 68.
Abner had the following poem added to Minerva’s headstone.
One precious to our hearts has gone,
The voice we loved is stilled;
The place made vacant in our home
can never be filled.
Our father in his wisdom called
The boon his love had given;
And though on earth the body lies,
The soul is safe in Heaven
