George E. Rogers began his career in the assaying business as clerk to G.W. Bell of San Francisco. When Bell died in an accidental nitroglycerine explosion in 1866 Rogers joined with L.A. Sanderson and continued Bell’s assaying business under the name Sanderson & Co. Rogers ran the office, Sanderson was the money man, and Edward Wolleb, who had been Bell’s assayer, continued in his old job under new masters. The Sanderson-Rogers partnership only lasted four months, however, being amicably dissolved on August 23, 1866 with Sanderson recommending his clients remain with Rogers. Rogers continued in the assaying business in Bell’s old shop on 512 California Street, San Francisco and Wolleb remained with him. The firm was then known under Rogers’ name. A few months later, Rogers formed a partnership with H.W. Brown and opened Rogers & Brown on October 17, 1866. Rogers & Brown were in business late 1866 to the fall of 1867, when mention of the business by that name ceases and Rogers is listed in city directories under his own name as an assayer. Rogers may have maintained an assaying business under his own name in 1867 and 1868 and the 1870 census lists his occupation as assayer, but after that date city directories do not give him an occupation in their listings and it may be that he had retired from the business of assaying.
A Timeline of George E. Roger's Happenings, according to local records and documents:
1864-1865
George E. Rogers, Clerk. 512 California.
Clerk with G.W. Bell. Dwells at American Exchange.
Langley’s San Francisco Directory for the Year Commencing October 1864George E. Rogers Clerk, 512 California. Dwells at 115 Dupont.
Langley’s San Francisco Directory for the Year Commencing December 1865
1866
BELLS ASSAY OFFICE.
The undersigned, having purchased the above Assay Office, would inform the former patrons and the public generally that they will continue the assay business, in all of its branches, at the old stand, 512 California Street, one door west of Montgomery Street, with the same employees, under the name of Sanderson & Co.
Mr. Edward Wolleb, for the last seven years assayer for Mr. Bell, will have charge of the Assay Department.
The Melting Department will be under the charge of Mr. Henry J. Fisher, for ten years in the United States Mint in this city and Philadelphia, and for the past seven years with Mr. Bell.
We would inform photographers that we are prepared to work their chloride of silver and ashes from their paper clippings. We have in connection with our assay business, a mill, and are prepared to work gold and silver ores in quantities from 25 lbs. to a ton or more: also, assaycr’s sweeps. We will be ready to receive deposits on Thursday, May 3d, 1866.
Mr. George E. Rogers, for the past two years with Mr. Bell, will have general charge of the business.
L.A. SANDERSON, GEORGE E. ROGERS
San Francisco, April 28, 1866
Alta California, April 29, 1866NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION:
The Partnership Heretofore existing between L.A. Sanderson and George E. Rogers under the name and style of SANDERSON & Co., is this day dissolved by mutual consent. The business will be continued by George E. Rogers.
L.A. SANDERSON
GEORGE E. ROGERS
San Francisco, August 21st, 1866.
I would solicit of my friends, in behalf of Mr . Rogers, a continuance of their patronage.
L.A. SANDERSON
Alta California, August 23, 1866BELLS ASSAY OFFICE.
THE UNDERSIGNED, HAVING purchased Mr. Sanderson’s interest in the above Assay Office, would inform the former patrons and the public generally that he will continue the Assay Business in all of its branches, at the old stand. No. 512 California Street, One door west of Montgomery, San Francisco, with the same employees.
MR. EDWARD WOLLEB, for the last seven years Assayer for Mr. Bell, will have charge of the Assay Department.
The Melting Department will be under the charge of MR. H ENRY J. FISH ER, for ten years in the United States Mint in this city and Philadelphia, and for the past seven years with Mr. Bell. We would inform photographers that we are prepared to work their chloride of silver and ashes from their paper clippings. We have in connection with our Assay business a Mill, and are prepared to Work Gold and Silver Ores, In quantities of from 25 lbs. to a ton or more; also Assayers’ Sweeps.
GEORGE E. ROGERS
Sacramento Union, August 25, 1866BELLS ASSAY OFFICE.
THE UNDERSIGNED. HAVING formed a copartnership this day, would inform the former patrons and the public generally that they will continue the Assay Business in all of its branches, at the old stand.
No. 512 California Street, one door west of Montgomery, San Francisco, with the same employees, under the name of ROGERS & BROWN.
Mr. EDWARD WOLLEB, for the last seven years Assayer for Mr. Bell, will have charge of the Assay Department.
The Melting Department will be under the charge of Mr. Henry J. Fisher, for ten years in the United States Mint in this city and Philadelphia, and for the past seven years with Mr. Bell. We would inform Photographers that we are prepared to work their chloride of silver and ashes from their paper clippings.
We have in connection with our Assay business, a Mill, and are prepared to Work Gold and Silver pres. In quantities of from 25 lbs. to a ton or more; also Assayers’ Sweeps.
GEORGE E. ROGERS, H.W. BROWN, San Francisco, October 13, 1866.
Sacramento Union, October 17, 1866
1867
George E. Rogers H.W. Brown
Rogers & Brown, Successors to G.W. Bell, assayers.
No. 512 California Street . One door west of Montgomery, San Francisco, Cal.
Gold and Silver Ores Worked. We would inform Photographers that we are prepared to work their Chloride of Silver and Ashes from their Paper Clippings. We have in connection with our Assay Business a Mill and we are prepared to work Gold And Silver Ores in quantities from 25 to 500 pounds; also assayer’s sweeps.
Langley’s The Pacific Coast Directory for 1867George E. Rogers, Assayer. 512 California. Dwells at 44 Third.
Langley’s San Francisco Directory for the Year Commencing September 1867
1868-1872
George E. Rogers, Assayer 512 California.
Langley’s San Francisco Directory for the Year Commencing October 1868George E. Rogers Assayer 512 California Dwells at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Langley’s San Francisco Directory for the Year Commencing September 1869George Rogers, Age: 37, Assayer, Real Estate: $20,000, Personal Estate: $30,000, Birthplace: Vermont.
San Francisco 1870 CensusGeorge E. Rogers, Assayer, Dwells at 1107 Stockton
Langley’s San Francisco Directory for the Year Commencing March 1871George E. Rogers Dwells at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Langley’s San Francisco Directory for the Year Commencing March 1872
