Grant Rogers was born November 27, 1863, in a log cabin in Sullivan Co., Missouri. He came to Barber County in the early 1880s. He proved up a quarter of land west of Aetna, one in Haskell Co., and made the "run" into Oklahoma, but because of the good water he settled on the place known as the Ernest Kramer farm in Valley Township.
Willa Jane McCluny was born December 27, 1870, in Mifflin Co., Pennsylvania. When a young girl, she came with her Grandmother Lewis to Barber County. She attended school for several years at Medicine Lodge and later taught at Eldred School from 1890 to 1892. Her salary was $22.50 per month, for 2 and 3 month terms. She paid out the homestead property north of 99 Springs after the death of her grandmother.
Grant Rogers sold the Kramer place to his father and bought acreage adjoining Willa's in Elm Mills township.
Grant and Willa were married April 2, 1892. They had 7 children: Eugene Willard, William L., Ray E., Edna and Mary. Joe died at age 12, and another son died in
infancy.
Grant taught school at Eldred 1895 to 1898. The next two years he taught at Amber, which was closer to his home. During this time, Eldred district consolidated with Amber and shared his $30.00 per month salary for 4 month terms.
The Rogers children all attended Amber grade, where the family was active in Literary Society, Sunday School and church held there.
When the older children were high school age, the family moved to Emporia, Kansas, to be educated. Grant had been active in getting the Amber district to consolidate
with Isabel. Grant was a superb nurseryman and gardener. He established an orchard on his spring fed ground from grafts he ordered from Missouri. He sold his products in the area towns.
In the 1920's Eugene and Ray operated a mattress factory from the barn loft. They drove through the countryside picking up feather-beds, then making them into the more firm and comfortable feather mattresses. In the late 20's Eugene envisioned a resort area with a lake and golf course to the south of the Roger's home. He and his brother, Bill, took the idea to Medicine Lodge, Isabel, and Pratt, Within a few years the dream beame a 55 acre lake with swimming area, picnic grounds, a dance pavillion built over the water. Zeek Powell ran the concession stand. A flat bottom, power driven boat with a covered top offered relaxing cruse for a 10 cent fee. In those days there was also a golf course to the east of the lake, complete with a lovely play ground croquet court, and picnic area for children and elders alike. Eugene's dream originally had a beautiful club house at the golf course with a view of the Gyp Hills. This never materialized because the golf course was abandoned. The naming of the resort was left to Eugene's mother, Willa. She called it "99 Springs" and despite pressure for "Lake Medicine" she exerted her Irish and "99 Springs" is a thriving resort to this day. Before his death Eugene said "It is as beautiful as I dreamed it could be. I am glad so many are enjoying it." Willa died October 27, 1933. Grant continued to garden his beloved land he had sought for the good water. Grant was pleased when his grandchildren, Fern and Albert Heublein, moved to their homenear him. He enjoyed the young great-grandchildren and taught them to play dominoes and checkers as soon as they were old enought. Grant Rogers died in 1961, going on 98 years of age, having an alert mind until the last few months of his life.
Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 390
Submitted by: Fern Heublein
Obituary
Westville Reporter (OK)
February 16, 1962
ROGERS
Mr. and Mrs. J.V. PARKS have returned from Medicine Lodge, Kansas, where they
were called by the serious illness and death of her father, Grant ROGERS.
Funeral service for Mr. ROGERS, 98, was held Thursday afternoon in the Methodist
church at Isabel, Kan., with burial in the Isabel Cemetery.
Survivors other than Mrs. PARKS are two sons.
Submitted by M. Lockett 12/15/2010
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