Clifford Joy ROGERS

ROGERS, POHLMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:43

December 20, 1897 --- May 18, 1962

Clifford Joy "Doc" Rogers was born in Clarion, Iowa on December 20, 1897 and orphaned at the age of seven. Raised by an uncle who held degrees in both medicine and dentistry, Rogers was given his nickname "Little Doc" to distinguish him from his uncle. Rogers served in the military and then purchased a homestead in Campbell County. He taught high school and coached football before taking a job with the state Motor Vehicle Division. Eventually he became secretary to Governor Clark and was named Wyoming's deputy Secretary of State in 1950. Rogers served as Acting Governor from 1953-1955 and twice held the office of State Treasurer (1946-1950, 1958-1962). Clifford Joy Rogers died May 18, 1962.

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CHEYENNE, Wyo. --- State Treasurer C. J. (Doc) Rogers, 63, died today after suffering another heart seizure in Cheyenne's Memorial Hospital. Rogers was stricken Sunday at his home but was reported improving steadily on Thursday. He was stricken again unexpectedly this morning and died at 8:03 a.m. Rogers' doctor said he had checked him earlier in the morning and he appeared to be all right. The doctor was called back into the room a few minutes later after Rogers was stricken. Rogers' son-in-law was present at the time.

Rogers was a former acting governor of Wyoming from 1952 to 1954. He was a veteran political office holder in the state and the only announced candidate for the Republican nomination for secretary of state this year. Rogers was elected state treasurer for the second time in 1953. By Wyoming law, he could not succeed himself as treasurer. He served as treasurer first from 1946 to 1950. Rogers tried for a full term as governor in 1954 but was defeated in a Republican primary election by Milward L. Simpson, who won the governorship. Rogers was out of politics after his defeat until his successful race for the treasurer's post in 1958. Rogers had operated a motor court in Cheyenne.

Rogers was the only man in the history of the state ever to hold three of the state's five top elective posts governorship, treasurer and secretary of state although he was never elected to the governorship.

A native of Clarion, Iowa, he attended schools in Iowa City and the University of Iowa. He served with the Army in the Mexican Border incident and in France during World War I. After his discharge he homesteaded in Campbell County between Gillette and Buffalo. Rogers was coach of the first Gillette High School football team. He taught school at Gillette before moving to Sheridan where he worked at the Veterans Hospital from 1924 to 1928. Rogers is survived by his widow, Mabel. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Casper Star-Tribune -- Casper, Wyoming
18 May 1962

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[birth parents were Newton R. Rogers and Edna Viola (Pohlman) Rogers of Clarion and Eagle Grove, Iowa]