“Oklahoma’s Favorite Son”, a common term used for a soul born in Indian Territory and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation named William Penn Adair Rogers, Aka Will Rogers. Rogers was a man of many accolades and certainly had many phrases describing him. Born in Indian Territory and living through the transition into the state now referred to as Oklahoma, this Okie made sure the world new where Oklahoma is.
Rogers born in Oologah Indian Territory, Cherokee Nation on his parents ranch – “Dog Iron Ranch” - November 4,1879. Rogers was a Cherokee Citizen and a Dawes Commission enrollee.
Oologah is in Rogers County. This is about as true grit to the roots of an Oklahoman as one can get. Rogers’ parents where both of Cherokee descent and his mother’s family was a part of the Indian Removal act of 1830 referred to an exodus and “The Trail Of Tears”.
Rogers’fatherwasaleader in the Cherokee nation, a Confederate Civil war soldier, and served under the Confederate Colonel Stand Watie. Despite the traumatic trail of his family, Rogers carved out an existence that was about as high of a bar that America has seen.
Roger’s accolades are miles long on a road that was unpaved before him. One of many of his famous quotes, “My family didn’t come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat”, may have been his most self-descriptive saying.
Rogers began his eclectic career as a Vaudeville performer, actor, and humorous. This seemed to be the anchor in his life as he took on an attitude of hope and nondiscriminatory approach to people and society throughout his life. One of Rogers’ most famous quotes “I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I didn’t like” sums up his legacy.
Rogers traveled around the world three times in his life and left a trail of quotes that led him being named, “The most quoted man of his time”. Some of his famous quotes were used worldwide and often used by prominent leaders and plastered the headlines in news papers.
A funny quote he blurted was, “Well, all I know is what I read in the papers”. The quotes got even better and he floored the audience when he was asked about all the Okies migrating to California and responded with, “When the Okies migrated to California, It raised the I.Q. in both states”.
In addition to his outstanding ability to derive everlasting quotes and his superior acting and speaking abilities, Rogers also displayed his cowboy talent and exemplary trick roper ability. Texas Jack laid the trail for Rogers and gave him his first acting opportunity.
The show called “Texas Jacks Wild West Circus” was only the beginning platform for his roping skills. Rogers went on to ride and rope at events including Madison Square Garden, Saint Louis World’s Fair, and Wirth Brothers Circus.
Rogers further perfected his roping skills and went on to be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the talent of swinging three ropes at once. Rogers toured the world taking the time to share his thoughts and talents by way of performance and lecture.
Rogers was personal friends with leaders such as Theodore Roosevelt, andVice President Charles Curtis a NativeAmericanoftheKAW nation. Rogers also served his time in politics as he was Mayor of Beverly Hills and Goodwill Ambassador to Mexico. He had a plain and simple way of speaking and thinking that was as permanent as any pavestone of any road in the world.
By the age of 55, Rogers had written six books, more than 3600 articles, and appeared in 71 movies. These chronicle achievements are a mere chip off the block to all he shared with the world. In fact, his impact was so prominent that places around the globe use his name as title including places like; Oklahoma City has Will Rogers International airport, Fort Worth, Texas is home to Will Rogers Coliseum, and Claremore, Oklah. is home to Will Rogers Memorial Museum memorializing him and his achievements.
Rogers chiseled a permanent mark on the world sharing his talents and quotes in an iconic manner. Born in a time of uncertainty for his family and country, Rogers never let those ties hold him down or define him as a person.
Not only did Rogers leave a legacy that will live on for centuries, he paved the way for many comedians and speakers including the great Bob Hope. Again, a famous Indian Territory birth leaves a mark on the world that will not soon wither.
Rogers passed away in Alaska August 15, 1935, while traveling with Wiley Post in an airplane that ascended and descended as fast as his life on earth. Rogers left the world with a quote that is as appropriate as his legacy. “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, butInevermetamanIdident [sic] like’, I am so proud of that, I can hardly wait to die so it can be carved.”