Deseret News
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1913,
p. 9.
WASHINGTON BOLIVER ROGERS, WHO KNEW JOSEPH SMITH, IS DEAD
Logan – Jan. 14 Washington B. Rogers, one of the early members of the church, known here as “Joseph Smith’s hired man” died here this morning of infirmities incident to old age. He was in his eighty-seventh year.
Mr. Rogers received his sobriquet as a result of having been employed upon the farm of Joseph Smith when a young man. Mr. Rogers was thus employed on the farm between Nauvoo and Carthage when Joseph Smith was taken to Carthage Jail and he distinctly recalled almost up to the time of his death the incidents connected with that occasion. He had given important testimony here as to the life and habits of the prophet with whom he had lived for many years. He was last employed by Joseph Smith on a farm managed by Cornelius Lott. He was a great admirer of the prophet whom he regarded as the best friend he ever had. And he had a fund of anecdotes about Joseph Smith of his personal courage, his sympathy and democratic ways. He was twice 1 married and leaves seven or eight children and a number of grandchildren. His wife also survives him. He will be buried from the Eighth Ward Meeting House. The time has not been determined.
Logan Journal
Thursday, Jan. 16, 1913
page 1, 8
W.B. ROGERS PASSES AWAY
Washington B. Rogers, “Joseph Smith’s Hired Man” as he was sometimes called, is dead, having passed away at his home in the Eighth ward on Tuesday morning. Old age was the cause of death, and the end came with but little suffering. The funeral will be held from the Eighth Ward Chapel at two o’clock tomorrow (Friday). Mr. Rogers was one of the pioneers of this state and valley and was a man who had lived a useful and industrious life. He had been twice 1 married and his last wife and seven or eight children survive him.
He was born in Mantua, Portage County, Ohio on Sept. 16, 1826, and became a member of the church in the year 1838. He came to Utah in 1848, and lived for some years in Payson when he came to Cache Valley, among the first settlers. Mr. Rogers obtained the soubriquet of Joseph Smith’s Hired Man because of the fact that he was for years employed on the farm of the Prophet Joseph and knew him intimately. He had a fund of rare anecdotes of the Prophet. Only a few years ago he detailed to the writer the events of the day that Joseph was seized and taken to Carthage jail. He and others were working on the farm which was under the management of Cornelius Lott, when the officers came along with their prisoner. Joseph hailed them from the road and when they came over he remarked to the officers “These are my boys, they like me and I like them and I just wanted to say good bye to them.” Such incidents as these made a deep impression upon the mind of the young man and he never forgot them. The deceased had filled a mission to the Hawaiian Islands and made the journey there in company with President Joseph F. Smith, laboring with him afterwards in the islands.
NOTE 1: from Rita F. Bartholomew
Actually Washington Boliver Rogers was married 3 times:
1. Sarah Jane Thomas
2. Mary Ann Owens
3. Sina Josephine Duke