Pat Lowe's Genealogy of Will Rogers and His Descendants

Will Rogers and His Descendants

By Pat Lowe

(Pat Lowe, archivist-librarian for the Will Rogers Memorial Commission of Oklahoma, worked with scores of scholars, writers and researchers for three decades in compliling information about all aspects of Will Rogers. This publication grew from her expertise and scholarship.)

Updated March 16, 2004

WILLIAM PENN ADAIR ROGERS (#1), son of Clement Vann ROGERS (#2) and Mary America SCHRIMSHER (#3), was born in Cooweescoowee Dist., Cherokee Nation, I.T., now Rogers Co., Okla. on November 4, 1879. The youngest of eight children, Will was named for the distinguished Cherokee statesman, William Penn Adair. Listed as 9/32 Cherokee on the Indian rolls, he belonged to the Paint Clan. His first appearance on the Cherokee Rolls was in 1880 when he is listed as Col. W. P. Rogers, a native Cherokee of Cooweescoowee District.

He married BETTY (BETTIE) BLAKE (#4) in Rogers, Ark. at her parents' home, November 25, 1908. Betty was born September 9, 1879 in Silver Springs, Ark. She was the daughter of James Wyeth BLAKE (#43) and Amelia J. CROWDER (#44). Betty died nine years after her husband, Will, on June 21, 1944 in Santa Monica, Calif., at 64 years of age. Her body lies beside Will in the family vault at Claremore, Okla.

Destined to become a world famous humorist-journalist-movie star, Will Rogers died in a plane crash with Wiley Post at Point Barrow, Alaska August 15, 1935 at 55 years of age. His body is buried in the Will Rogers Memorial family vault, Claremore, Okla.

WILLIAM VANN ROGERS (Jr.) (#5) (William Penn Adair) was born in New York City, N.Y. October 20, 1911. William died July 9, 1993 in Tubac, AZ, at 81 years of age.

William or "Bill" as he preferred to be called, was born just a few days before the death of his grandfather Clem Vann Rogers. Will, Jr. graduated from Stanford University and became owner-publisher of the Beverly Hills Citizen for several years. He was elected to Congress from California for one term before resigning to serve in World War II. As a tank commander with the 7th Armored Division, under General Geo. Patton, he was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. He starred in several movies and was the first host of the CBS-TV morning show in the 1950's.

He married COLLIER CONNELL (#9) in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 26, 1941. Born 1911, in Tularosa, N.M., Collier was the daughter of Ralph CONNELL (#18) and Bertha GREEN (#19). Collier died in June of 1976 at Popotla, Baja, California. Both Will, Jr. or Bill Rogers and his wife, Collier are buried in Tubac, Arizona.

MARY AMELIA ROGERS (#6) (William Penn Adair) was born at her Grandmother Blake's home in Rogers, Ark. on May 18, 1913. Mary died December 13, 1989 in Santa Monica, Calif. at 76 years of age. She is buried with her parents in the family vault at the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Okla. Mary graduated from marlborough School in Beverly Hills, California in 1931. She studied drama at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, and became an accomplished actress until here father's death in 1935.

Mary ROGERS married WALTER BROOKS II (#17) in Las Vegas, Nev., September 18, 1950. He is the son of Walter BROOKS (#20) and Louise CROMWELL (#21).

JAMES (Jim) BLAKE ROGERS (#7) (William Penn Adair) was born in New York City, N.Y. July 25, 1915. He was 9/64th Cherokee Indian and on the rolls of the Cherokee Nation. A Webb High School graduate, he attended Pomona College. Named for his maternal grandfather, James operated the Beverly Hills Citizen with his brother, Will, Jr. He served in the U.S. Marines and following the war made several films. As a child, James played in three Will Rogers featured films and later co-starring in three Comedy-Cowboy movies. A life long horseman, he owned ranches in the Santa Barbara and Bakersfield areas of California and served on the Will Rogers Memorial Commission of Oklahoma until his death April 28, 2000. James is buried in the family vault at the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma.

On March 26, 1938, James married MARGUERITE ASTREA KEMMLER (#22). Astrea was born December 31, 1917 in New York City, N.Y., the daughter of Charles William KEMMLER (#274) and Marguerite DRAKE (#275). Before her marriage, Astrea studied in Heidelberg, Germany graduating from Marlborough School.

After the death of Astrea on November 19, 1987 in Bakersfield, Calif., James married JUDITH (Judy) BRAUN (#411) on August 31, 1995. She is the daughter of V. J. BRAUN (414). Jim and Judith operated a riding stable in California.

FRED STONE ROGERS (#8) was born July 15, 1918. Fred died June 17, 1920 at 23 months of age. Named for Will Rogers's good friend, Fred Stone, young Freddie died of diptheria at the family home in California.

CLEM (Shazzie) ADAIR ROGERS (#10)(William Vann, William Penn Adair) was born near Lake Powell in Arizona, December 22, 1938. Clem died September 23, 2000, at his home in Tucson, Arizona. Clem graduated from High School in Palmo, California in 1958, then received a degree from the University of Arizona. After graduating, he became a homicide detective for the Tucson Police Department and also served as acting police chief for 31 years on the Tono O'oldham Indian Reservation of Arizona. A full-blood Navajo, clem was christened Shazzie Endishee (Little Bear of the Pine Forests) by his natural parents, who died when he was 7. He was adopted by Will Rogers Jr. and Collier Rogers.

Clem married ROSEMARY ANN RODRIGUEZ (#11) in Las Vegas, NV, March 14, 1981. Rosemary was born February 24, 1953 in Tucson, AZ. She is the daughter of Ramon RODRIGUEZ (#278) and Esther (#279). Rosemary is of navajo-Yanqui and Chicano blood.

CARL (Carlos) CONNELL ROGERS (#13) (William Vann, William Penn Adair) was born in Los Angeles, January 27, 1952. Carl died June 29, 1999, in Lorain, Ohio. He is buried with his parents at Tubac, Arizona. Carlos Rogers owned a restaurant business in Arizona during the 1980's. Carl is self-employed. He married MARIE JEANNINE SUZANNE PROVOST (#14).

JAMES KEMMLER (Kem) ROGERS (#24) (James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born in Los Angeles, May 3, 1939.

He married NANCY JOANNE SCHNEIDER (#25). Nancy was born February 14, 1939. She is the daughter of Frank SCHNEIDER (#30) and Eleanor SILIZC (#31). Kem and Nancy are now divorced.

Kem attended California State Poly-Tech majoring in animal husbandry. He enlisted in the 514th MP, U.S. Army as a military policeman, in 1962-64. Involved in commercial cattle-feeding ventures for several years, Kem is now a semi-retired cattleman. Kem resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

CHARLES EDWARD (Chuck) ROGERS (#34) was born in Los Angeles, CA., October 23,1941. He married BEVERLY LENINGER (35) in Chicago, IL., June 12, 1981. Beverly was born October 29, 1954. She is the daughter of Gene LENINGER (#417) and Evelyn GRACHENBURG (#418). Charles and Beverly are now divorced. Charles managed the polo grounds for several years at the Will Rogers State Park in California. He plays professional polo and manages a large equestrian stable in Cave Creek, Arizona.

ASTREA ELIZABETH (BETTE) ROGERS (#36) (James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born in Los Angeles, CA., October 17, 1943.

Astrea Elizabeth married first CLARENCE BURL LEUTY (#37) in Bakersfield, CA., March 7, 1964. Clarence was born December 1941. BETTE was divorced from Clarence Burl LEUTY. She married ERIK HARRIS BRANDIN (#40) August 1971. He is the son of ALF E. BRANDIN (#419) and Marie (#420). Erik died May 29, 2002.

Bette attended Ojai Valley School & Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield, CA and Arizona State University. Astrea Elizabeth and family reside in Chowchilla, California, where they manage a cattle and farming ranch.

WILLIAM RANDOLPH ROGERS (#12) (Clem Adair, William Vann, William Penn Adair) was born in Tucson, AZ September 23, 1981.

JOHN XAVIER ROGERS (#15) (Carl Connell, William Vann, William Penn Adair) was born in Montreal, Canada 1982.

JENNIFER ANN ROGERS (#26) (James Kemmler, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born March 13, 1966, Bakersfield, CA. She married MARK ETCHEVERRY (#27), of Basque descent. Mark and Jennifer have a ranching operation in California where they raise almonds and alfalfa hay.

JAMES SCHNEIDER ROGERS (#33) (James Kemmler, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born November 28, 1970, Hereford, Texas. James resides in San Diego, California.

SCOTT BURL LEUTY (#38) (Astrea Elizabeth (Bette) ROGERS, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born in Lomita, CA. December 12, 1965. Scott married JILL FOX (#421).

JOSH ROGERS LEUTY (#39) (Astrea Elizabeth (Bette) ROGERS, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born in Lomita, CA. May 13, 1967.

GREGORY ERIK BRANDIN (#41) (Astrea Elizabeth (Bette) ROGERS, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born in Bakersfield, CA. November 27, 1973.

ASTREA MARIE (Marissa) BRANDIN (#42) (Astrea Elizabeth (Bette) ROGERS, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born in Bakersfield, CA. April 6, 1977.

MEEGHAN MAUREEN ETCHEVERRY (#28) (Jennifer Ann ROGERS, James Kemmler, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born July 24, 1991. Meeghan is following the Rogers tradition and is an accomplished rider. She is active in 4H and enjoys school.

MASON ROGERS ETCHEVERRY (#29) (Jennifer Ann ROGERS, James Kemmler, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born March 26, 1995. He enjoys camping and riding 4-wheelers with his dad.

BRETINI LEUTY (#422) (Scott Burl LEUTY, Astrea Elizabeth (Bette) ROGERS, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born May 24, 1987.

BLAKE LEUTY (#423) (Scott Burl Leuty, Astrea Elizabeth (Bette) ROGERS, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born March 21, 1992.

ASTREA LEUTY (#424) (Scott Burl LEUTY, Astrea Elizabeth (Bette) ROGERS, James Blake, William Penn Adair) was born October 19, 1993.