Osage Nation, Oklahoma, Obituary: Thomas L. Rogers Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Stacy Morris ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ==================================================================== The Osage Journal, Jan. 7, 1909 Conducted by the Scottish Rite Masons of Guthrie Thomas L. Rogers, better known as Judge Rogers, died at his home in Pawhuska, January 1st, 1909, aged 71 years, 4 months and 21 days. He had been suffering for a long time from dropsy and during the past three months was bedfast. Everything possible for human beings to do was done for him but with out avail. The angel of death had knocked at the door and his death was not unexpected. At his bedside was his devoted and tireless wife, his constant sons, Arthur and Thomas L., his loving daughters, Mrs. Bertha Leahy and Mrs. Martha Leahy, niece, Mrs. Lula Collins; his nephew, Antwine Rodman; his near and faithful relative N. A. Thompson and his sons-in-law, T. J. Leahy, W. T. Leahy and John Collins. Death came peacefully, without pain or suffering and as one gliding off into quiet sleep. The interment took place at the Pawhuska Cemetery, Monday, January 4th. The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, Valley of Guthrie, Orient of Oklahoma, represented by Heatherington, Melarky, Hicks, Inman, Dr. Sutton, Groover and Booth of Cleveland, Okla.; C. M. Lancaster, Tulas; Judge Vandiver, Pawnee; Cas. B. Peters, Hominy;Frank A. Derr, J. W. McNeal, Teague Ray, Guthrie; H. H. Brenner, T. H. McLaughlin, John L. Bird, A. R. Museller, Geo. W. Hutchings, A. C. Seely, Thos. Mosier, R.L. Hall, J. W. Stroud, A. W. Hurley, Mart Bowhan, Wiley Haynes, Vic Ellis, John Palmer, Joe Pearson, and Clarence Revard of Pawhuska, held ritualistic services Sunday night at midnight, in the presence of the remains of the departed brother and his many relatives and friends. It was a beautiful, impressive, soleman service and one not soon to be forgotten. They were aided by a dozen of Pawhuska's singers which added materially to the impressiveness of the occasion. Wah-sh-she Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Pawhuska of which he was a member took charge of the body on Monday and headed by exfederal and exconfederate soldiers and the members of the Easter Star conveyed it to the M. E. Church at 2 o'clock, where an eloquent funeral sermon, filled with consolation and splendid thought was delivered by Rev. Gowan. Member of B. P. O. E. acted as ushers. At three o'clock, the procession wended its sad way to the cemetery where the Blue Lodge ritualistic service was rendered in a faultless manner. The floral decorations were magnificant beyond description. It was the greatest funeral pageant ever witnessed in Pawhuska and the services were calculate to do much good. The respect and esteem, which followed Judge Rogers to his grave and which gave so much consolation to those he left bereaved, were but evidence of the fact that his had been a useful and well spent life. Thomas L. Rogers was born in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, August 11, 1837. His father was mixed blood Cherokee and Georgian by birth. He was a slave owner in his day. His mother was mixed-blood Osage and belonged to the Lombard family. He was a first cousin to W. C. Rogers, the present principle chief of the Cherokees and of Lewis Rogers, Sr. who lives at Avant. On his mother's side he was first cousin to Albert and Joseph Lombard and A. L. Martin. He has two sisters living, Mrs. Cynthia Alberty and Mrs. Victoria Flint and one brother Antwine Rogers. In 1862 he was married to Ellen Coody and by her has one child living, Arthur Rogers. After her death he married Nancy Chambers Martin in 1869 who now survives him. By her he has three children now living, Bretha Leahy, Wife of T. J. Leahy and Martha Leahy, wife of W. T. Leahy and Thomas L. Rogers, Jr.. He joined the confederate army in 1861 at Denmark, Cherokee Nation and served as 1st Lieutenant in Butler's company under General Stonewaitie. After the war he lived in the Cherokee nation until 1870 when he moved to the Osage nation where he has resided ever since. He took a prominent part in the organization of the Osage government and was it's first chief justice. He served as President of the Osage National Council and a number of times was one of the tribe's delagates in Washington. He became a memeber of the Masonic fraternity many years ago. He was a Knight Templar, a Shriner and a Scottish Rite Mason. He also was a member of the Easter Star and the B. P. O. E. He was a firm believer in fraternal order and longed to see those who are near and dear to him under benign protection of one of the great fraternal orders. In many ways he was a remarkable man. He was a man of great culture and refinement although raised under adverse circumstances. So genial was his hospitality and so rare his qualities of entertainment that he has ofted been called the "Prince of the Osages." His friends were legion and many a heart saddens at the news of his death. May his like increase for it may be truly said of him, "The world is better for his having lived."