Will Rogers (Oklahoma politician)

William Cornelius Rogers
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's At-large district
In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1943
Preceded by	District created
Succeeded by	District abolished
Personal details
Born	(1898-12-12)December 12, 1898 Bessie, Oklahoma Territory
Died	Falls Church, Virginia
Political party	Democratic Party
Alma mater	Southwestern Teachers College Central Teachers College University of Oklahoma

Will Rogers (December 12, 1898 – August 3, 1983) was a United States Representative from Oklahoma.

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.

References

• Will Rogers at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

External links

• Will Rogers at Find a Grave

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by None	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's at-large congressional seat 1933–1943	Succeeded by At-large district eliminated