Thomas Wayland “Waylie” Rogers (1869-1916), the son of first settlers Eliza Garmon and Thomas Townsend Rogers, was as prominent in Humboldt as his father {1}. T.W. established the Mineral Springs Bottling Works, the Smith and Rogers Poultry Co., and the Cold Storage Plant. He developed the first creamery, the City Laundry, and the Humboldt Sand and Gravel Co. As a public-spirited man he strongly identified with many of the public improvements in town such as the library, and served on the City Council {2}.

On March 4, 1907 the Humboldt Town Council approved the names of those appointed as directors for the new library. Included was the name of T.W. Rogers. At the April 11, 1907 meeting of the library board, Mr. Rogers reported correspondence with architects and the specifications of the Ames building. He was appointed to a committee of three to prepare and publish bids for excavating basement, quarrying, and digging sewer for the building {35}.

In what was probably the saddest accident to anyone in Humboldt for some time, T.W. was killed instantly while crossing the railway near the sand and gravel pits south of town. He was forty-eight years old and left a wife, Ida, and four children; Muriel, Velma, Garmon, and Ruth {4}.

Historian Bernice Bradley Smith recalled, “Mildred once told me that her grandfather, T.T. Rogers led a group wanting to replace main street’s wooden sidewalks with cement ones. The A.D. The Bicknell group thought the wooden ones were good enough. The fight caused enemies and the Rogers group won. ‘It was ever thus- courthouse, hospital, waterworks, Sumner Avenue bridge, schools, library, etc. etc. I guess fighting pro and con is better than indifference- one of the worst human failings.’”

Source : Pat Baker

{1} The History of the City of Humboldt, DeGroote, Oliver H. page 82. Jaqua Printing Co. 1963.

{2} Ibid p. 329

{3} Humboldt Independent March 7, 1907.

{4} Humboldt Independent April 11, 1907.

{5} “We Gather Together, The Humboldt Congregational United Church of Christ 1872-1996,” by Baker, Pat. Goodfellow Printing Co., Iowa City, Iowa, 1996, p. 39.