Historical Figures

Exploring the Lives of Historical Figures in Rogers County

Step into Rogers County’s past as we spotlight the remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on its history. Discover the untold stories, enduring legacies, and contributions that have molded Rogers County into the vibrant tapestry it is today.

Gene Autry

Gene Autry famously met Will Rogers while working as a telegraph operator at the railroad depot in Chelsea. After hearing Gene sing and strum his guitar, Rogers told him he was good enough to play on the radio. This chance meeting inspired Gene to pursue a music career. While the railroad depot is no longer there, as you drive through the town of Chelsea, you will cross over the railroad tracks that gave Autry one of his first jobs.

Gene Autry

Admiral Joseph James "JOCKO" Clark

Admiral Joseph James “JOCKO” Clark was born near Chelsea in Indian Territory in 1893. In 1913, Clark was the first Native American to graduate from the United States Naval Academy. His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Cross, Silver Star, and the Legion of Merit. Clark’s career lasted more than forty years and he was made honorary chief of both the Sioux and Cherokee nations. He was also honored in 1969 by the National Aeronautic Association with the Elder Statesman of Aviation Award. Clark died on July 13, 1971, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In honor of Admiral J. J. Clark, the Navy named a guided-missile frigate the U.S.S. Clark (FFG-11) in 1980, a ship nicknamed the “Determined Warrior.”

Admiral Joseph James

Patti Page

Patti Page is one of history’s top female recording artists. Born in Claremore in 1927, Page signed her first recording contract in 1947 and has over 110 songs that appeared on the national charts. She was the best-selling female artist of the 1950s, with more than 100 million records sold.

Patti Page

Lynn Riggs

Lynn Riggs is considered to be one of Oklahoma’s greatest playwrights. His Cherokee Heritage and childhood experiences growing up in Indian Territory  inspired many of his works. One of his most famous works, “Green Grow the Lilacs,” was adapted by Rodgers and Hammerstein into the musical “Oklahoma!” The Lynn Riggs Family Collection, containing art, letters, manuscripts, photographs and more, is housed at the Claremore Museum of History.

Lynn Riggs

Will Rogers

Will Rogers is a beloved entertainer, humorist, newspaper columnist and film star. Born on his family’s ranch near Oologah, Will began his career as a performer in vaudeville. His roping act landed him a leading role in the Ziegfield Follies, skyrocketing his film career. His popularity increased in the 1920s with a syndicated newspaper column and numerous radio appearances. Before his tragic death in August 1935, Rogers starred in 71 film productions and authored more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns. You can discover more about Will and his life in Claremore at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum or by visiting the Birthplace Ranch located outside Oologah.

Will Rogers

Col. Stuart A. Roosa

Col. Stuart A. Roosa famously piloted the Apollo 14 Command Module that orbited the moon while fellow astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell landed on its service. A proud Claremore High School graduate, Roosa made a guest appearance at Claremore’s Stuart Roos Elementary School on the 20th anniversary of his Apollo flight. Roosa died in Falls Church, Virginia, in 1994, but his legacy and passion for aviation continue to be felt across the community today. While in Claremore, remember to check out the space-themed playground located by Claremore’s Museum of History, inspired by Roosa.

Col. Stuart A. Roosa

Clem McSpadden

Clem McSpadden was born on a ranch near the small town of Bushyhead in Rogers County. He was first elected to public office in November 1954 when he was voted into the Oklahoma Senate. He served in that body until 1972, including leading it for two sessions as President Pro Tempore. He was then elected to the 93rd Congress in November 1972. McSpadden was a broadcaster in rodeos throughout North America, including the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Calgary Stampede, and the Canadian Finals Rodeo. In 1974, he hired a then-unknown Reba McEntire to sing the National Anthem at the National Rodeo Finals. The Tulsa World quoted him as observing “an amazing correlation” between politics and the rodeo profession, “in that there’s bull in each profession.” He is also known, primarily through the rodeo community, for his authorship of “A Cowboy’s Prayer. A portion of Oklahoma State Highway 66 between Claremore and Bushyhead was designated Clem McSpadden Highway in 1985.

Clem McSpadden

JB Milam

JB Milam is best known as the First Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941. At the time of his confirmation by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Milam had already been named Chief by the National Council of Cherokees. As chief, he wanted to reconstruct the tribal government and renew tribal claims against the federal government. To this end, he helped found the National Congress of American Indians and established elections for a Cherokee tribal council, which was designed to rebuild the Cherokee Nation’s government. In 1946, he began purchasing land for the Cherokee Nation and two years later convened a national convention to pursue Cherokee rights to the Indian Land Claims Commission and to elect a Cherokee National Assembly. He actively researched Cherokee history, culture, and legal issues and served as the catalyst for the production of several books on the Cherokees. Miliam located the original mold for the Cherokee syllabary and began working to get type made to publish materials in the Cherokee language. One of his greatest achievements was to begin planning a Cherokee Heritage Center, which was implemented by Principal Chief W.W. Keeler after Milam’s death. Born in Texas, Milam’s family moved to Chelsea, Oklahoma, when he was only three years old. He began his career in his father’s hardware store and later became the first president of the Bank of Chelsea, the first bank in the Cherokee Nation. He also was a founder and first president of the Rogers County Bank in Claremore. With his brother-in-law, he formed Phillips and Milam Oil Company, which had more than 1,000 producing wells by the early 1930s.

JB Milam

Helen Walton

Helen Walton a proud graduate of Claremore High School, Helen served as her class valedictorian and later went on to obtain a degree in finance from the University of Oklahoma. Helen married Sam Walton in 1943 and played a special role in the creation of a little company, Walmart. Helen was a staunch advocate for children and families and steadfast supporter of special education and the arts.

Helen Walton

Andy Payne

In 1928, Foyil native Andy Payne won the Great Transcontinental Footrace, a 3,400-mile race from Los Angeles to New York City that followed much of the path of then-new Route 66. A member of the Cherokee Nation, Payne returned to Oklahoma, where he later served for decades as clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Foyil honors him with a statue just east of historic Route 66 on the south side of town.

Andy Payne