Sacramento County
Biographies
MANUEL L. ROGERS
MANUEL L. ROGERS--Numbered among the successful farmers on Grand Island, Sacramento County, is Manuel L. Rogers, whose seventy-seven acre farm is devoted to orchard and the growing of asparagus, and to general farming. He was born on the Isle of Pico, in the Azores, in February, 1865, a son of Manuel and Marian (Joseph) Rogers, natives of the same country. They were the parents of eight children: Mary, Manuel L., Antone, John, Henry, Joseph, Serafine, and Rosie. The mother passed away in 1918, but the father is living, aged eighty.
At the age of eighteen, Manuel L. Rogers left his native country and came to California, first locating at Pleasanton, where he worked for wages. On January 29, 1893, he was married to Miss Flora Smith, born on Grand Island, Sacramento County, a daughter of John and Mary (Joseph) Smith. John Smith was a native of Fayal, in the Azores, but was reared on the Isle of Pico; and his wife was born on St. George Island, of the Azores. As a young man, John Smith was engaged in whaling; and while on a whaling-trip to the Artic Ocean he came to California, and was content to remain here. He was married over fifty-two years ago, and settled with his wife on Grand Island, on the Sacramento River. About 1886 he bought 185 acres below Ryde; and here he built a home and spent the balance of his days. Of this tract he sold forty acres, but the balance of 145 acres is still owned and operated by his wife and children. He also bought 155 acres on Georgiana Slough, about three miles below Walnut Grove; and this is now owned by the two daughters, Rose and Josephine, who reside there with their families. Six children were born to this pioneer couple: John and Mary are deceased; Flora is the wife of Manuel L. Rogers, of this review; Rose is Mrs. Sarment; Josephine is Mrs. Joseph Neves; and Joseph resides in Oakland. John Smith is now deceased, and his widow makes her home on the farm on Grand Island, which is jointly owned by herself and Mrs. Rogers. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are the parents of eight children: Manuel, Clara, Joseph, William, Angie, Edward, Violet, and Ernest. Of these, Clara and William are deceased. Manuel and Joseph served in the World War. The former now lives in Walnut Grove; the latter served overseas until he returned home and mustered out of service. Manuel was a sergeant, and trained at Fort Russell. He married Chloe Alves and resides in Berkeley; while Joseph married Theresa Alves, and they have a child, Geraldine. Angie is the wife of Frank Pimentel. Mr. Rogers is a member of the U. P. E. C. Lodge of Rio Vista. Mrs. Rogers is a member of the U. P. P. E. C. of San Francisco.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 709. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.