William Charles Rogers was born near Claremore, Oklahoma

Claremore, Oklahoma

Claremore is a city and the county seat of Rogers County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 18,581 at the 2010 census, a 17.1 percent increase from 15,873 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area and home to Rogers State University...

 on the 13th of December 1847. A successful farmer, he entered local politics in 1881.

A member of the Downing Party, he was elected Principal Chief in 1903, defeating E. L. Cookson of the National Party. He served during the final days of the takeover of the Cherokee government

Cherokee Nation (19th century)

The Cherokee Nation of the 19th century —an historic entity —was a legal, autonomous, tribal government in North America existing from 1794–1906. Often referred to simply as The Nation by its inhabitants, it should not be confused with what is known today as the "modern" Cherokee Nation...

 by the United States of America

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 and the establishment of the state of Oklahoma.
After his four-year term of office was complete, he retained the status of chief, for purposes of dealing with matters of the handover of power to the United States. He died in 1917.
Chief Rogers was a Freemason and was buried near Skiatook, Oklahoma

Skiatook, Oklahoma

Skiatook is a town in Osage and Tulsa counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is a suburb of Tulsa. The population was 7,397 in the 2010 census, compared to 5,396 at the 2000 census.-History:William C...

, a town which he had established.