Robert Rogers (1864-1936)

MLA (1900-1903), MLA (1903-1907), MLA (1908-1910), MLA (1911-1914), MP (1911-1917), MP (1926), MP (1930-1935).

Born at Lachute, Quebec on 2 March 1864, son of Lt.-Colonel George and Dora Rogers, he was educated at Berthier, Lachute and Montreal. He came to Manitoba in 1881 and engaged in mercantile business at Clearwater and Rat Portage.

He unsuccessfully contested Mountain for the Manitoba Legislature in 1886 and 1892, and unsuccessfully contested Lisgar in the 1896 Dominion election. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in 1899. He was made a member of the Executive Council, without portfolio, on 29 October 1900. He became Minister of Public Works on 20 December 1900, re-elected by acclamation, again returned at the general elections of 1903, 1907 and 1910. He resigned in 1911 and entered federal politics as a member of the cabinet of Sir Robert Borden (Minister of the Interior); Minister of Public Works, 1912-18. He contested South Winnipeg in the 1925 federal election in which he was elected over T. C. Norris.

In 1885, Rogers married Aurelia Regina Widmeyer, with whom he had one son, Robert G. Rogers. He was a member of the Manitoba Club, Carleton Club, St. Charles Country Club, Lakewood Country Club, and Albany Club (Toronto).

Sources:

Who’s Who in Western Canada: A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men and Women of Western Canada, Volume 1, 1911. C. W. Parker, editor. Canadian Press Association, Vancouver.

Profile revised: 16 May 2009

A collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Send inquiries to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Suggest a Memorable Manitoban  |  Sources  |  Acknowledgements