Researching Will Rogers

Known as "Oklahoma's Favorite Son", Rogers was born to a Cherokee family in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma). As an entertainer and humorist, he traveled around the world three times, made 71 films (50 silent films and 21 "talkies"), and wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns.

By the mid-1930s, Rogers was hugely popular in the United States for his leading political wit and was the highest paid of Hollywood film stars. He died in 1935 with aviator Wiley Post when their small airplane crashed in northern Alaska.

Rogers's vaudeville rope act led to success in the Ziegfeld Follies, which in turn led to the first of his many movie contracts. His 1920s syndicated newspaper column and his radio appearances increased his visibility and popularity. Rogers crusaded for aviation expansion and provided Americans with first-hand accounts of his world travels. His earthy anecdotes and folksy style allowed him to poke fun at gangsters, prohibition, politicians, government programs, and a host of other controversial topics in a way that found general acclaim from a national audience with no one offended. His aphorisms, couched in humorous terms, were widely quoted: "I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat."

One of Rogers's most famous sayings was "I never met a man I didn't like" and he even provided an epigram on this famous epigram:

When I die, my epitaph, or whatever you call those signs on gravestones, is going to read: "I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I dident like." I am so proud of that, I can hardly wait to die so it can be carved.

Born on a farm near Bessie, Oklahoma Territory, son of John and Martha Ellen (Hatchett) Rogers, Rogers attended the public schools and Southwestern Teachers College in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He then attended Central Teachers College in Edmond, Oklahoma, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1926 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1929. He continued his education at the University of Oklahoma in Norman and received a Master of Science degree in 1930.

Rogers began his career as an educator by teaching in the public schools of Bessie, Oklahoma from 1917 to 1919. He then became the principal of the public schools in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and held that position until 1923. He was the superintendent of schools in several Oklahoma school districts from 1923 to 1932.

Rogers was elected as a Democrat to the 73rd and four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1943). He served as chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs in the 74th through 77th Congresses. While serving as a Representative at-large, he was an unsuccessful candidate for nomination in 1941 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Sam C. Massingale in the seventh district for the 77th Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1942.

Rogers was admitted to the Oklahoma bar in 1942. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination of Secretary of State of Oklahoma in 1943. He was employed by the Department of the Interior from 1943 to 1945. He served as assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. in 1946 and 1947. He worked as a hearing examiner at the Department of Agriculture from May 1947 until his retirement in 1968.

Following his retirement, Rogers engaged in building and real estate management. He was a resident of McLean, Virginia, until his death on August 3, 1983 in Falls Church, Virginia. He was cremated and his ashes were interred at National Memorial Park in Falls Church.

Affiliations

Rogers is affiliated with the following organizations:

*"M" Club University of Maine Board of Directors *Maine Association of Realtors (State President 1997) *State Realtor of the year 1988 *University of Maine Black Bear athletic advisors 1982–present *Corporator in Bangor Savings Bank *Bangor Salmon Club *Penobscot County Conservation Association *Hunter safety instructor (4,000 students) *Member of the National Rifle Association *U.S. Army, 101st Airborne division *Chairman, Black Bear Club, University of Maine