William C. Rogers | |
|---|---|
 William Charles Rogers | |
| Born | December 13, 1847 Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (now Tulsa County, Oklahoma) |
| Died | November 8, 1917 (aged 69) Skiatook, Tulsa County, Oklahoma |
| Occupation(s) | Farmer, merchant, politician |
| Known for | Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation (1903-1917) |
William Charles Rogers (December 13, 1847 – November 8, 1917) was born in the Cherokee Nation near present-day Skiatook, Oklahoma, USA, on December 13, 1847. A Confederate veteran and successful farmer, he entered tribal politics in 1881.[1]
After serving as a representative and a senator in the Cherokee Council, he was elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1903, defeating E. L. Cookson. He served during the final liquidation of the independent Cherokee government by the United States of America and the establishment of the state of Oklahoma in 1906–7. He remained as principal chief, but with greatly diminished powers, performing largely ceremonial functions for the tribe until his death.
- ^ "Chief Thomas Mitchell Buffington and Chief William Charles Rogers," Chronicles of Oklahoma. Volume 17, Number 2. June 1939. Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Accessed August 15, 2015.