Thomas Rogers (locomotive builder)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Rogers was an American
mechanical engineer and founder of Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works
of Paterson, New Jersey
. Fellow locomotive designer and builder, Zerah Colburn
said that "Thomas Rogers maybe fairly said to have done more for the modern American locomotive than any of his contemporaries."
, in 1792. Before moving to Paterson in 1812, he studied carpentry
and blacksmith
ing. In 1832 he partnered with Morris Ketchum
and Jasper Grosvenor
to form Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor
, building agricultural
and textile
machinery as well as springs, axles and other small parts for the first railroads of America.
In 1837 Rogers built his first locomotive, Sandusky
, which became the first locomotive to operate in Ohio
. Not one to just follow what other manufacturers were doing, Rogers implemented new features and innovations in his locomotives that were quickly adopted by other firms. He led Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor until his death in 1856.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
mechanical engineer and founder of Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works
Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works
Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works was a 19th-century manufacturer of railroad steam locomotives based in Paterson, in Passaic County, New Jersey, in the United States. It built more than six thousand steam locomotives for railroads around the world. Most railroads in 19th-century United States...
of Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...
. Fellow locomotive designer and builder, Zerah Colburn
Zerah Colburn (locomotive designer)
Zerah Colburn was an American engineer specialising in steam locomotive design, technical journalist and publisher.- Career :Without any formal schooling, Colburn was a teenage prodigy...
said that "Thomas Rogers maybe fairly said to have done more for the modern American locomotive than any of his contemporaries."
Biography
Thomas Rogers was born in Groton, ConnecticutGroton, Connecticut
Groton is a town located on the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,907 at the 2000 census....
, in 1792. Before moving to Paterson in 1812, he studied carpentry
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
and blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
ing. In 1832 he partnered with Morris Ketchum
Morris Ketchum
Morris Ketchum was an American banker and financier of the 19th century. In 1832 he partnered with Thomas Rogers and Jasper Grosvenor to form the manufacturing firm of Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor; this firm eventually grew into Rogers Locomotive Works, the second most popular steam locomotive...
and Jasper Grosvenor
Jasper Grosvenor
Jasper Grosvenor was an American financier of the early to mid 19th century. In 1832 he partnered with Thomas Rogers and Morris Ketchum to form the manufacturing firm Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor which became the second most popular steam locomotive manufacturing company in North America in the...
to form Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor
Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works
Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works was a 19th-century manufacturer of railroad steam locomotives based in Paterson, in Passaic County, New Jersey, in the United States. It built more than six thousand steam locomotives for railroads around the world. Most railroads in 19th-century United States...
, building agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
machinery as well as springs, axles and other small parts for the first railroads of America.
In 1837 Rogers built his first locomotive, Sandusky
Sandusky (locomotive)
Sandusky was the name of a steam railroad locomotive, a 4-2-0, built in the United States. This locomotive included engineering features that hadn't been used before in locomotive construction and it played an integral role in the railroad history of Ohio....
, which became the first locomotive to operate in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Not one to just follow what other manufacturers were doing, Rogers implemented new features and innovations in his locomotives that were quickly adopted by other firms. He led Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor until his death in 1856.