Born in the Going Snake District of the Cherokee Nation, Clement Vann Rogers was the only son of Sallie Vann and Robert Rogers, Jr. He was educated in the Cherokee Nation and in 1858 married Mary America Schrimsher, who was also part Cherokee. He later served in the Cherokee Confederate Cavalry. Clem and Mary eventually established a 60,000-acre ranch in the Cooweescoowee District, and in 1870 built their log-walled white house on the Verdigris, where Will Rogers was born in 1879. Clem served on the bench in the Cherokee Senate and at the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention. Rogers County was named in his honor. After Mary's death in 1890, Clem moved to Claremore, where he was active in politics, banking, and business. He is buried in Chelsea.