Born in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. A resident of Venango County, Pennsylvania when he enlisted in the 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry (161st Volunteers) for three years at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Mustered in as Captain of Company I at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Transferred to Company E as Captain on 3 Oct 1862. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and transferred to Field and Staff (F&S) on 15 Nov 1862. Resigned his commission. A member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. Elected as a Delegate to 1885 Encampment and as an Alternate to the 1907 Encampment of the Department of Washington and Alaska. Admitted to the Washington State Soldiers Home at Orting, Pierce County, Washington on 24 Nov 1891 for the first time. He would be re-admitted three times, the last being on 23 Dec 1899 and was discharged on 13 Apr 1901. Died in Tacoma, Washington. Some military records spell his last name as "Rodgers".