Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Mrs. Mary Jane Rodgers

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Mrs. Mary Jane Rodgers, widow of Alexander McQueen Rodgers, was born in 
Claiborne County, La., March 4, 1838, and is a daughter of Philo and 
Margaret Ellen (Remer) Alden. who were natives of York State, born 
July 4, 1800, and July 23, 1808, respectively. The father was a 
carpenter by trade, and in 1832 went to Louisiana, where he worked at 
his trade and was also engaged in the milling business. He was a man 
of public spirit, enterprise and energy, and was filling the office of 
sheriff at the time of his death, in 1867. His wife was a lady of 
culture, and was a member of the Baptist Church. She died in Benton 
County. Ark., July 28, 1868. Mrs. Mary Rodgers grew to womanhood and 
received her education in Louisiana. In November, 1853, at the age of 
sixteen years, she was married to Alexander McQueen Rodgers, who was a 
son of Parmenio and Rachel (Adams) Rodgers, natives, respectively, of 
North and South Carolina. The father was a school-teacher by 
occupation, and was a son of Seth Rodgers, who was a soldier of the 
Revolutionary War. Both Parmenio and Mrs. Rodgers were members of the 
Old School Presbyterian Church. Alexander McQueen Rodgers was born in 
Mecklenburg County, N. C., February 20, 1824. and when a young man 
went to Louisiana, where he met and married Miss Alden. He moved his 
family to Benton County, Ark., in 1867, and here followed the 
occupation of farming until his death, May 28, 1886. He commenced life 
without any property whatever, but by push, energy and good management 
became blessed with a fair portion of this world's goods long before 
his death. He was a Mason. and was judge of the police court in 
Bellevue, La., for two years. After coming to this State he was one of 
the delegates to assist in framing the Constitution for the State of 
Arkansas. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. His son, 
Parmenio Austin Rodgers, was born in Louisiana August 31, 1857, and 
was educated in the common schools, the Pea Ridge Academy and the 
Arkansas State University. He entered the latter institution in 1879, 
took the classical course, and graduated with the degree of A. B. in 
1882. Soon after graduating he engaged in teaching in Bloomfield, 
Ark., and there erected a school building which took the name of the 
Bloomfield Academy. and became a very successful school under the 
management of Prof. Rodgers. In May, 1886, shortly after the death of 
his father, he removed to the old homestead, where he has since been 
engaged in farming and stock raising. December 29, 1880, he was 
married to Miss Sallie E. Hall, who was born on Pea Ridge, in Benton 
County, Ark., August 16, 1862. She was educated in the Pea Ridge High 
School. and is the mother of three children: Alexander McQueen, Mary 
Kate and Ida. Prof. Rodgers is a prominent candidate for State 
representative, and if elected will make a faithful and efficient 
officer. He is a man of unquestionable intelligence, integrity and 
refinement, and is highly esteemed and respected by his fellow men. 
Mrs. Rodger's parents are John and Lavina (Finch) Hall, who were born 
in Tennessee. They are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and 
the father is a well-to-do farmer of Benton County.