Volney Trent Rogers

Birth: He was born in 1920 at Tennessee.  

Family Information: Son of Guy and Nell Rogers.

Brother of Lynn and Rene Rogers -- Rene was probably born while the family was living in the colony.  

Description: In 1941 he weighed 160 pounds and stood 5'8" tall; he had a light complexion, gray eyes and brown hair.  

Pre-Colony History:  

Home in Colony:  

Job in Colony: In 1928 he was doing his bit in melting lead and other odd jobs at the print shop which was managed by his father.  

Other Info: In April 1928 he and Myrtle Gregerson exhibited bird houses of their own construction on the stage during a theater production; they had been decorated with red and blue ribbons by Comrade Turner who also gave some surprising stunts during the show.

In January 1929, as an eight-year-old comedian, he was in one of the productions at the theater where he sang "Pat Casey's Automobile" written for him by Dixon, who followed as an Irish woman with a very pronounced dialect, singing the two songs, "Just Landed" and "The Christening."

In February 1929 he sang another song written by Dixon and made quite a hit, demonstrating the benefits of the educational opportunities in the colony in vocal music and expression. Afterwards Dixon presented his own one-act comedy, "Soapy." The cast included: Soapy - Ch. Black; J. Jink - Joe Turner, Silvers - Mr. Doherty, News-boy - Volney Rogers, Mrs. Doon - Mrs. Hewitt, Donnie Doon - Miss Jennie Black, and Laura Doon - Miss Lynne Rogers. It was a fine play and Mrs. Hewitt showed her masterful skill in handing it to J.Jinks with the broom-stick. Dixon showed his proficiency as stage manager in fine shape.  

Post-Colony History: In 1930 and 1940 he was living in Florida with his parents and siblings.

In 1942 he was living in Gainesville, Florida and employed by Florida Studio. His next-of-kin at the time was his father, Guy Rogers.

In 1946 he was a member of Sigma Delta Chi fraternity at the University of Florida.  

Death: He died in 1994 at Duval, Florida and was buried at Tompkins Cemetery at Alachua County, Florida.  

Sources: US Census: 1930, 1940; "Llano Colonist": April 14, 1928, October 6, 1928, January 5, 1929, February 9, 1929; US Draft Registration: WWII; University of Florida Yearbook: 1946; Florida Death Index; FindAGrave.com