Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 102-103.

PHILO ROGERS.

The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith directed is among the foremost business men of Wells county and has by his enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the industrial and commercial advancement of the city and county. He has in the course of an honorable career been most successful in the business enterprises with which he has been and is now connected, and is well deserving of mention in a volume of this character.

Philo Rogers was born in Huntington county, Indiana, on the 31st of March, 1850, and is the son of Nathan W. and Jane (Sparks) Rogers. The Rogers family is from Ohio, where the subject's father was a mail carrier in an early day, his route lying between Greenville, Ohio, and Huntington, Indiana. The subject's maternal ancestors were from Virginia, but came to Indiana and settled in Rock Creek township, Wells county, of which section they were pioneers. When the subject was but four months old his mother was removed by death. At a very early age he was bound out to Amos Curry, the well-known merchant and banker of this county. In his youth he was given the advantages of a common school education, and as he was energetic and ambitious he took advantage of all the opportunities that came his way of adding to his store of knowledge, at length becoming a thoroughly well informed man. Mr. Rogers remained with Mr. Curry and when the latter went into the dry goods business in 1862 he remained with him as clerk, also working at times upon the farm. In 1865 Mr. Curry sold his store at Markel [sic] and came to Bluffton, where he engaged as a farmer, merchant and banker. By close association with his employer, a man of broad experience and splendid business qualifications, young Rogers acquired splendid ideas as to up-to-date business methods and became in due time a valuable employee. In 1872 he was admitted into a partnership with Mr. Curry in the dry goods business, an arrangement which continued until I876, at which time he entered the bank in the capacity of cashier. He remained in this position two years and then returned to his former business. In 1880 he went into business for himself in partnership with Henry Deam, but at the end of two years he assumed full control of the business until 1886. S. Bender then became a partner in the business, an arrangement which continued for four years, at the end of which time Mr. Rogers went into the hardware business and is at the present time associated with Amos Cole. They carry a large and well-assorted stock of shelf and heavy hardware and all kinds of agricultural implements, are both pleasant and agreeable in manner, accommodating and courteous, and have built up a flattering patronage, their customers coming from distant points in this and adjoining counties.

In 1872 Mr. Rogers was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mariah Prillaman, the daughter of Lewis Prillaman, and to them have been born three children, Lizzie, the wife of Dr. L. W. Dailey, Wharton W., a graduate of the Bluffton high school, and Jessie, now deceased. Mrs. Rogers is a kind and pleasant lady, possessed of those womanly graces which are so certain to win and retain friends, and she numbers her friends by the score. Politically Mr. Rogers is a firm and uncompromising Republican and takes a prominent part in advancing the interests of his party in Wells county. He is well read and watches closely the trend of passing events. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in the subordinate lodge at Bluffton. The family are members of the Baptist church and are faithful and consistent in the performance of their religious duties. The subject is a very public spirited citizen and has been foremost in every enterprise for advancing the prosperity of his community, contributing liberally from his means and exercising his personal influence with others, and his name is a synonym for all that is good and true wherever it is known.

Mrs. Rogers' father, Lewis Prillaman, was born in Miami county, Ohio, March 26, 1825, and was the oldest son of nine children born to William and Sarah Prillaman, both natives of Virginia, and the grandson of Christopher Prillaman. The latter was of German extraction, and his wife, whose maiden name was Obadiah Winter, was a native of New Jersey and of English parentage. William Prillaman moved with his family to Wells county May 14, 1838, and located in section 12, Harrison township. He was a prominent and well known citizen and to marked extent held the confidence of the people. He served acceptably in the important office of county commissioner, and in the winter of 1842-3 represented his county in the state legislature. He started in Wells county without means, but by the exercise of sound judgment, wise discrimination and economy became a well-to-do man. He and his wife were faithful and consistent members of the Christian church, whose simple doctrines they exemplified in their daily lives. He died March 16, 1855, and his wife died April 8, 1873. Lewis Prillaman was a lad of but thirteen years when brought by his parents to Wells county, but even at that early age nobly performed his part in clearing up land and working it fit for cultivation. His educational privileges were limited, but he was of a studious disposition and ambitious, and all his leisure time was assiduously devoted to the acquiring of knowledge. In 1845 he was granted license to teach and taught school in this county for twelve dollars per month. He married Miss Maria Studabaker, the daughter of William Studabaker, and in 1853 he purchased his father's farm, to which he afterward gave his attention. He and his wife became the parents of eleven children, Mrs. Rogers being the only child living of the first marriage. Mr. Prillaman was a member of the Christian church and was one of the substantial and highly esteemed residents of his county.