Newspaper Article reads: J. R. Whisler Dies Sunday at Watonga Pioneer Cattleman, Farmer Was Early Community Leader Services for J. R. Whisler, pioneer cattleman and retired farmer, were held in the Watonga Baptist Church Tuesday at 2:30 pm with Rev. J. B. Watson officiating. Whisler, who purchased the first piece of land sold in the Cheyenne and Arapaho reservation in 1903, died Sunday night after a prolonged illness.  He was 80 years old. Whisler was born in Elliot, Iowa, December 5, 1867 and followed his parents to Oklahoma one year after they made the run of '89, settling near Edmond.  It was here that he met and married Nora Adella Adamson.  He was a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church there, which was a pioneer church in that area.

Coming to Blaine county in 1902 he has always been known as a leader in community affairs, particularly in improving the quality of farming and cattle in the county.  He served as president of the Oklahoma Shorthorn breeders for two terms and was on the board of directors of the 1920 Southern American livestock show.  In addition for 20 years he served as president of the Watonga National Farm Association.  He was a Baptist and a Mason.

the first county fairs in Blaine County were partly a result of his work and planning with others.  The road from Watonga west to the river was dirt filled and rebuilt several times by farmers in that area, among them J. R. Whisler, before the county commissioners were able to get a gravel one laid.

Older residents will remember the flour mill which Mr. Wheeler started in partnership with Bill Hoberecht, on the present site of the Farmers Mill and Grain company.  The mill was built in about 1904-05, and was operated by him for several years.  After the infamous "Greenburg Year" of 1907, when green bugs laid all county wheat level with the ground, however, he sold out and went back to the farm, which he operated for many years.  He retired and moved to Watonga in 1940.  His son Robert and family now live on the home place.

Survivors include the wife, three sons, Everett, Hubert and Robert, and three daughters, Lois W. French, Lena Womack and Hazel Galloway.  Three sons, Ross, Ralph and Mabyrn  preceded him in death.  Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery, Watonga.

Death came to J. R. Whisler, as is the lot for all of us.  If we knew that the same deep respect that accompanied J. R. to the grave was to be our lot, then our life would have been well lived.  Mr. Whisler had the personality which kindled respect from all.  You couldn't help but love him.

He carried the whimsical outlook of the range riding cowboy.  He knew how to laugh.  His mental approach and views on matters of every day life were sound.  He carried "weight" in his community.  His concern usually was for those about him.  You can't help but miss a gentlemen like J. R. Whisler.