Background
He was born in County Leitrim, Ireland.
He was born in County Leitrim, Ireland.
Shortly after immigrating to the United States, Rogan was paid $625 to be a substitute for a man recently called up for the draft. He enlisted in the army in February 1865, serving during the final months of the American Civil War. He was discharged from the army the following July, but reenlisted almost a year later in 1866, joining the 7th United States By the end of his first enlistment in 1870, he had already been promoted to the rank of sergeant.
During his second enlistment, he served with his brother-in-law under colonel John Gibbon in the Nez Perce War.
By the end of fifth enlistment in 1889, he had finally been promoted to the rank of first sergeant. He eventually retired from the army in 1895.
Following his retirement, Rogan was employed as a night watchman for the Union Pacific Coal Company.