Obituary Record

William Johnstone (W. J.) Rodgers
Died on 7/6/1952
Buried in Blair Cemetery

#1-Printed in the Enterprise July 10, 1952

W. J. Rodgers, affectionately known as “Bill” to his hundreds of friends in this community, passed away last Sunday morning at the Blair Convalescent Home. He had been in failing health for a number of weeks.

A Scotchman by birth and possessing a ready wit even in his later years, Old Bill had many friends who called upon him regularly after his retirement from the Greenhouse business which he operated for 32 years. He often surprised his visitors by bursting forth with a Scotch song, of which he knew many, and to these he frequently added a touch of the Scottish dances which he learned while a youth in his native land.

William Johnstone Rodgers was born in Dormiston, Ayre County, Scotland, February 18, 1865. He grew to manhood in Scotland, coming to America at the age of 24.

Mr. Rodgers was united in marriage to Jessie Aitken, January 1, 1885 at Dondonale, Scotland. Four years later the young couple came to America. They came directly to Blair and to them three daughters were born, Agnes, Jessie, and Helen. Jessie preceded her father in death.

Later, for a short time the family lived in the Ozarks, they moved to Pennsylvania. But Mr. Rodgers decided that Blair was to be his home and he returned.

While in Pennsylvania his wife passed away July, 1904.

He was united in marriage to Mrs. Louise Pieper in Pennsylvania on September 22, 1905 and to them was born a son, William, Jr., and a daughter Louise.

The family returned to Blair in 1908 and Mr. Rodgers at once set about to establish the Blair Greenhouse for the raising of flowers had been his hobby for many years. This business grew successfully until it evolved into a large, modern greenhouse which furnished not only the needs of this community but also much wholesale flowers to the Omaha markets.

During these years in business, Mr. Rodgers became an active member of the Florists’ Association and his witty Scotch stories, his songs and dances became an attraction at the conventions which he attended with a high degree of regularity.

He retired from active business at the age of 80 in 1944 when the business was sold to its present operator, Bert Trisdale. Since his retirement he has lived in a modest, but comfortable home in west Blair.

Mrs. Rodgers, who had been in poor health for many months, passed away in 1949.

Remaining to mourn his passing are the four children, Mrs. Agnes Allen, of Labanning, California. Mrs. Helen Robertson, of Laramie, Wyoming; Mrs. Louise Sully of Venice, California, and William Rodgers, Jr. of Macon Georgia. There are three step-children surviving; William Pieper, of Youngstown, Ohio; Ida Edmiston, of Blair and Carl Pieper, also of Blair. Living also are 20 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held in the Congregational Church yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, Mr. Rodgers having been a long-time member of that church and a member of the board of Deacons. The Rev. Wm. B. line delivered the message and Mrs. Kline, accompanied by Mrs. Phillip O’Hanlon, furnished the music.

Pallbearers were L. C. Klopp, Harry. L. Morris, C. J. Schmidt, J. Merton Kuhr, F. H. McVicker and Ray Krogh and burial was made in the Blair Cemetery.

#2-Posted Friday, February 10, 2023

Leeanna Ellis

Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of stories looking at Blair both past and present through the book “Blair the Town Beautiful” written by John A. Rhoades, former Enterprise publisher. He published the book in June 1926.

For more than three decades, Blair residents turned to one man for all their floral needs: William “Bill” Rodgers, owner of the Blair Greenhouse.

“He takes great pride in making his establishment rank among the top-notchers in the state and a visit to the plant will convince the most skeptical that he has succeeded,” former Enterprise publisher John A. Rhoades wrote in his book “Blair the Town Beautiful. “This establishment gives employment to several families and thus adds to Blair’s wealth by bringing in outside money.”

Rodgers, who was born in Scotland, came to the United States as a young man with his wife, arriving in Blair in 1889. For a short time, he and his family lived in the Ozarks and then Pennsylvania before returning to Blair in 1908.

Raising flowers had been a hobby for Rodgers, one he immediately set upon building into a business in Blair.

In January 1913, Rodgers purchased three large lots at the east end of State Street from A.B. McManigal to erect a large greenhouse, according to an article in the Jan. 23, 1913, Blair Democrat. Soon after, Rodgers and his stepson William Pieper purchased the greenhouses at Crowell Memorial Home and had them moved. This doubled the capacity of the plant.

“This business grew successfully until it evolved into a large, modern greenhouse which furnished not only the needs of this community but also much wholesale flowers to the Omaha markets,” Rodgers’ obituary read.

In addition to creating floral bouquets for the community, Rodgers shared his talents at the Washington County Fair, winning or finishing second in a number of categories over the years. Among his wins in the 1920 fair in Arlington were the largest collection of plants, five blooming plants, collection of begonias, basket or dish of cut flowers, and spray cut flowers.

He also won on the national level. In April 1935, Rodgers was awarded first place for display of white snapdragons at the National Flower Show, which was held at the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum in Omaha.

That same year, Rodgers added a nursery to his business. With his stepson Carl Pieper and G.L. Dixon, Rodgers opened the nursery in the spring.

“For many years, the greenhouse has served the people of this community with cut flowers, but as the demand for nursery and flowering shrub plants increased, the need for expansion was felt at the Blair institution,” the Blair Pilot-Tribune reported.

The nursery included shade, ornamental and fruit trees; lawn shrubbery; and all kinds of useful ornamental plants. The business also began landscaping for Blair homes.

Rodgers was an active member in the Nebraska Florists Association, serving as a director. In July 1937, Blair hosted more than 100 florists for the association’s annual gathering and summer picnic at the swimming pool park, now Steyer Park. Rodgers’ witty Scotch stories, his songs and dances became an attraction at the conventions, according to his obituary.

He shared those songs and dances with his patrons at the greenhouse, too.

“He often surprised his visitors by bursting forth with a Scotch song, of which he knew many, and to these he frequently added a touch of the Scottish dances which he learned while a youth in his native land,” the Blair Enterprise reported.

Rodgers took an active role in the community, serving Ward 1 on the Blair City Council. He was appointed on April 30, 1931, to fill the term of the late Frank Bigelow. He later ran for re-election and served until 1936. During his term, he served on the parks committee.

After 32 years, Rodgers sold the Blair Greenhouse on June 1, 1945, to florists Bert Trisdale and Selby Taylor. Rodgers was 80 years old. He died in 1952 at age 87.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Printed in the Washington County Enterprise on 7/10/1952


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