Patrick Rogan (Wisconsin politician)

Patrick Rogan was born in Rossglass, County Down, Ireland, in 1808. He had little formal education and emigrated with his parents to Montreal, Lower Canada, in 1823. While there he worked as an office boy and notary in a law office. They remained for two years in Montreal, then moved to Jefferson County, New York.[1] In 1837, he came west to the Wisconsin Territory, settling at what is now Watertown, Wisconsin, on May 15 of that year.[1]

He claimed a plot of land west of the river and cultivated a potato farm. In the 1840s he constructed a saw mill, and operated it until 1858, investing in new buildings, roads, and railroads in the growing city. He constructed the first brick building on the west side of the river, later owned by Watertown mayor Henry Mulberger.[1]

Rogan was one of several settlers from Watertown, Jefferson County, New York. At the time when the Wisconsin Territory legislature voted to draw new counties, they successfully petitioned to name their county "Jefferson" and their settlement "Watertown".[1] Rogan was appointed postmaster by President John Tyler in 1841, and served until 1849. He served as a town supervisor in Watertown before it was incorporated as a city, and subsequently served as an alderman and city assessor. He was also a member of the Jefferson County board of supervisors.[1]

In 1846, he was elected as a delegate from Jefferson County to Wisconsin's first constitutional convention. The constitution from this convention was ultimately rejected by voters. A second constitution was approved in 1848. Running on the Democratic Party ticket, Rogan was elected to four non-consecutive terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly from Jefferson County's 1st Assembly district, serving in the 1851, 1853, 1855, and 1866 sessions.[2]

He died at his home in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1898.[3]

Rogan's brother, James, was the first member of the family to settle at Watertown. Patrick arrived two months later. James Rogan also served as a lighthouse keeper at Milwaukee.[1]

Patrick Rogan married Rose Crangle at Chicago, on January 17, 1846. Crangle was also a native of County Down, Ireland. They had six children together.[1]

Rogan sold his farmstead in Watertown to Henry Bertram, who later sold it to the Congregation of Holy Cross at Notre Dame, which established Sacred Heart College on that land. The college still exists today as Maranatha Baptist University.[4]

• Watertown History-James and Patrick Rogan