J. Sumner Rogers

Joseph Sumner Rogers (July 5, 1844 – September 14, 1901) was an American educator and United States Army officer. A native of Orrington, Maine, he was a veteran of the American Civil War and was most notable as the founder and longtime superintendent of Michigan Military Academy.

Early life Joseph Sumner Rogers was born in Orrington, Maine on July 5, 1844, the son of Joseph Rogers and Joanna Swett Harriman. Rogers was a descendant of Thomas Rogers, a passenger on the Mayflower. He was mustered out at the end of his enlistment in June 1863.

While on duty at Fort Wayne in 1872, Rogers was appointed professor of military science and tactics at Detroit High School and commander of the Detroit Cadets, Detroit high school students organized as military drill and ceremony teams. During his tenure at MMA, its drill and ceremony teams won several national competitions and took part in events at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Despite the school's success, an expansion begun in 1900 caused the school to incur debt it had difficulty paying off. Rogers, who was terminally ill, was unable to lead as effectively as he had earlier, and the school continued to founder. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Family In 1866, Rogers married Jeanette Susan Wheeler (1845–1920). Daughter Florence (1878–1890) died of illness at age 12. Frederick P. Rogers (1881-1946) was a businessman and Army officer who attained the rank of major during World War I.

Legacy Michigan Military Academy continued to operate until 1908, when it declared bankruptcy and was closed. The MMA property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as the Orchard Lake Schools Historic District.