James Rodgers (consul)

James Linn Rodgers (September 10, 1861 - February 3, 1930) was an American diplomat who served as United States Consul General to Shanghai, Havana and Montreal in the early 20th century.

James L. Rodgers
Consul General of the United States, Shanghai
In office
1905–1907
Preceded byJohn Goodnow
Succeeded byCharles Denby Jr.
Consul General of the United States, Havana
In office
1907–1916
Consul General of the United States, Montreal
In office
1918–1920
Personal details
Born(1861-09-10)10 September 1861
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Died3 February 1930(1930-02-03) (aged 68)
Columbus, Ohio, US

Early life edit

Rodgers was born on September 10, 1861, in Columbus, Ohio,[1] the son of Andrew Denny Rodgers, a prominent businessman, and Eliza Sullivant Rodgers. He was educated at Ohio State University and was for nine years editor of the Columbus Dispatch. He also served in the Ohio state troops where he attained the rank of Colonel.[2] In 1895 he was appointed private secretary by Governor elect Ada Bushnell and served as private secretary until 1900 when Bushnell left office.[3] He was then a member and sometimes president of the state game and fish commission.[4]

Diplomatic career edit

In 1905, Rodgers was appointed United States Consul General in Shanghai, serving until 1907 when he was transferred to be US consul-general in Havana, Cuba where he served until 1916.[5] In 1916 he was appointed by the State Department as special agent to the de facto government of Venustiano Carranza pending the confirmation by the Senate of Henry P. Fletcher as ambassador to Mexico.[6] In 1918, he was appointed United States Consul General in Montreal. He resigned from the position on October 31, 1920.[7]

Post retirement edit

Post retirement Rodgers represented the Pure Oil Company in negotiations with the Venezuelan government and later was associated with the foreign department of the Foundation Company in New York.[8]

Family edit

Rodgers married Miss Frances Fay of Ohio.[9] They had one daughter Francis Russell Rislinger and a son, James Linn Rodgers Jr.[10]

Death edit

Rodgers died on February 3, 1930, of heart disease in Columbus, Ohio,[11] and was buried at Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus following funeral services at the Trinity Church.

References edit

  1. ^ Canton Daily News September 10, 1918.
  2. ^ Norwalk Daily Reflector, June 11, 1894
  3. ^ The Cuba Review, Foreign Consuls Accredited in Cuba
  4. ^ East Liverpool Evening Review, March 28, 1905
  5. ^ The Cuba Review, Foreign Consuls Accredited in Cuba
  6. ^ Oakland Tribune, February 23, 1916
  7. ^ American Foreign Service Journal, April 1930 p133
  8. ^ American Foreign Service Journal, April 1930 p133
  9. ^ The Cuba Review, Foreign Consuls Accredited in Cuba
  10. ^ Portsmouth Daily Times, February 8, 1930
  11. ^ "Former Diplomat Will Be Buried Next Monday". Lima News. February 9, 1930. p. 2. Retrieved September 11, 2019.