s/o John Franklin Mokler and Elvina M. Biedleman
He was the author of the 1922 History Of Natrona County book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wyoming Pioneer-Historian Dies
A. J. Mokler, pioneer resident of Central Wyoming and foremost historian of the state, died last week at Memorial hospital in Casper. Mr. Mokler had been under treatment for pneumonia since Dec. 17.
Mr. Mokler, who spent his entire life in the vicinity of Casper, was the author of the most comprehensive and accurate history of early Wyoming ever written. He also was responsible for the marking of many historic points and trails that otherwise would have been forgotten with time.
---Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY, Jan. 8, 1953
(Obituary provided by Betty Alberts, FAG Member #47293729)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Casper Star-Tribune
Wednesday, December 31, 1952
Front Page
A. J. Mokler, 89, Historian and Writer, Is Dead
Alfred James Mokler, pioner Wyoming newspaper publisher and widely recognized historian of Wyoming and the West, died Tuesday night at Natrona Memorial, where he had been a patient for the last two weeks. Mr. Mokler was 89 years of age at the time of his death. He had been a resident of Casper for 55 years.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Horstman-Gay Chapel, with the Rev. Charles A. Nowlen, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating, assisted by representatives of the Masonic Order. Interment will be made in the family plot in Highland Cemetery.
Mr. Mokler was born in Wilmington, Ill., May 21, 1863. After finishing his schooling in Illinois, he went to Kansas, where he worked four years at the printers' trade in White Cloud, Hiawatha and Sabetha. He then went to Peoria and later to Chicago, where he worked in newspaper offices. He returned to the West and worked in the offices of the Lincoln Journal, the Omaha Republican, the World-Herald and Bee until 1894. He was publisher of a newspaper at Platte Center, Neb., during the years of 1894, '95 and '96.
Came Here In 1897
From Platte Center he went to Great Falls, Mont., and bought an interest in the Commercial Printing Co., but sold his interest in April, 1897, when he bought the plant of the Natrona County Tribune from the Republican Publishing Co. He published the Tribune until Oct. 15, 1914, a period of 17 1/2 years, selling the paper to the late J. E. Hanway. He continued to make Casper his home and devoted the greater part of his time to research and writing on Wyoming historical subjects.
Mr. Mokler and Miss May Black of Fremont, Neb., were married in Fremont Dec. 31, 1890. Mrs. Mokler passed away in Casper March 10, 1951. Five children were born to them, two sons, Dr. Victor A. Mokler, who died last Nov. 2 in California, and Verne W. Mokler of Casper and three daughters, Mrs. Erwin Day, Mrs. J. R. Hansard and Miss Edness Mokler, all of Casper. Mr. Mokler leaves eight grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. A sister, Mrs. Eva Reno of Englewood, Colo., also survives.
Masonic Historian
Mr. Mokler became a member of the Masonic order in Casper in 1898 and since became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the different Masonic bodies in the York and Scottish Rites, and the Order of the Mystic Shrine. He had been grand historian of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Wyoming since 1922. In 1926 and 1929 he represented the Grand Master at Washington at the Grand Masters Conference of the United States and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association meeting. In 1929 he was one of a committee of 10 Masons to enter the Washington tomb and place a floral offering on Washington's sarcofagus. In 1931 he was chosen by Charles Scribner's Sons of New York City to prepare a 5,000 world history of Freemasonry in Wyoming for an American edition of Gould's History of Freemasonry, an international publication. He also wrote a history of Wyoming Free masonry for the Grand Lodge. He was a member of Casper Lodge No. 15 A. F. & A. M.
He conceived the idea of holding Masonic services on Independence Rock in 1920, in commemoration of the first Masonic services held on this old landmark of the Oregon trail in 1862, Which were the first Masonic services held in this part of the Rocky Mountain region. At the 1920 services about 250 Masons were present, and at similar services held in 1930, 626 members of the order were in attendance, and 32 states were represented. Similar services have been held at 10-year intervals since that time.
He gave the principal address at the ceremony in 1950.
Mr. Mokler was chief clerk of the House of Representatives of the Sixth Wyoming Legislature in 1901, and filled the responsible position with marked efficiency. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Wyoming for nine years, one year under Acting Gov. Fenimore Chatterton, six years under Gov. Bryant B. Brooks and two years under Gov. Joseph M. Carey.
On School Board
He was chairman of the Natrona County High School board during 1913-14, and under his administratioin and supervision the first Natrona County High School building in Casper was constructed, and wearing of uniforms by the students was inaugurated. Much other important school work also was accomplished during his administration.
He was appointed publicity agent for Natrona County during the sale of Liberty Bonds during World War I and was awared a medal from the U. S. Treasury Department, "for patriotic service in behalf of Liberty Bonds." He also received a number of highly complimentary letters from the department for his work.
He was president of the Commercial Printing Co. in Casper from 1918 to 1921 but sold his interest in the concern in order that he might devote all his time to literary work.
In 1923 he published the "History of Natrona County, Wyoming," after gathering the data and preparing the manuscript for more than five years. This was the first county history published in Wyoming and it is credited with being a high-class literary and historical work. Copies of this book are in many Casper homes, and it is also in nearly every public library in Wyoming and in most of the states libraries of the United States. It has had a large circulation in the states surrounding Wyoming, and many copies were subscribed for by people in Canada, England, France, Germany and other foreign countries. The book has been out of print for many years and has become difficult to obtain. The work is highly prized by all students of western history.
Mr. Mokler also was the author of "History of Freemasonry in Wyoming," "Transition of the West," "Guardians of the Western Frontier," "Fort Caspar," "Tragadies of the Range" and a great number of historical articles for magazines. In 1940 he launched a publication of a historical magazine, "The Wyoming Pioneer," Which was well received. Publication was later discontinued, however.
Headed Writers Club
He was a member of the Wester League of Writers, was the first president of the Casper Writers Club, was supervisor of the Platte River Empire District, consisting of Goshen, Platte, Converse, Natrona, Carbon and Albany Counties, for the Federal Writers Project during the latter part of 1935 and until the fall of 1936, when the project was finished. He has been listed in "Who's Who Amont American Authors" since 1923.
He was a member of the Wyoming Geographic Society, appointed by Gov. Emerson in 1928, and he furnished to the National Geographic Society a list and the origin of the names of all the mountains and rivers in Natrona County, in addition to furnishing the society with considerable other historical data of interest and importance to Central Wyoming.
In addition to his literary work Mr. Mokler gave freely of his time in the cause of public service. He was chairman of Casper's Fourth of July committee in 1931 and 1932, when very successful celebrations were conducted, and the Casper city council adopted a resolution commending him for his work in that connection.
Life-Long Republican
During the years 1932 and 1933 he was secretary-manager of the Natrona County Taxpayers League, when the taxes of the county were reduced more than $550,000 for the two years.
A long-time Republican, he was the delegate in 1932 from Natrona County to the Republican National Convention. Often he was urged to become a candidate for public office, but he always declined because he thought his literary and historical work would be of more importance and value to the people of his city, county and state than any public position he was competent to fill. In 1914 he was asked to make the race for governor but declined this suggestion also.
During the many years of his residence in Casper he participated in all its civic work as liberally as his means and health would afford. In 1913 he erected a substantial business block on North Center street and also built a number of residences in Casper. Since 1917 his home was at 655 Park Avenue.
Mr. Mokler received the Casper Kiwanis Club's Distinguished Service Award in 1937. This medal is awarded annually to a citizen of the state whose achievements in public service have been outstanding.
It was A. J. Mokler who initiated the idea of a Casper Chamber of Commerce and it was through his efforts that the first organization was perfected. He was vice president of the first group.
Mr. Mokler was an honorary life member of the Casper Literary Club, having taken an active part in its meetings and programs until late years when his health did not permit.
He was a member of the Natrona County Pioneers Society and also of the Wyoming Pioneers Society. He was a charter member of the Casper Country Club.
Had No. 1 Plate
For several years Mr. Mokler has been accorded the honor of receiving automobile press license plate No. 1.
The historian's last participation in a public ceremony took place late in July, 1952, at Fort Caspar. Mr. Mokler at that time turned the first shovelful of earth at the site of a proposed monument to be erected there. It was a rare occasion because of his declining health, and only his intense interest in the history of the old fort could have inducted him to take part. In 1938 Mr. Mokler had published "Fort Caspar (Platte Bridge Station)," a history of the fort and of the Battle of Platte Bridge. In that volume the author had condensed a large amount of material into a book of 100 pages, and, as he indicated in the foreword, the task of sifting fact from fancy had been a very difficult one, taking painstaking research.
Mr. Mokler's death occurred just one day prior to what would have been the pioneer couple's 63rd wedding anniversary.
He was the author of the 1922 History Of Natrona County book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wyoming Pioneer-Historian Dies
A. J. Mokler, pioneer resident of Central Wyoming and foremost historian of the state, died last week at Memorial hospital in Casper. Mr. Mokler had been under treatment for pneumonia since Dec. 17.
Mr. Mokler, who spent his entire life in the vicinity of Casper, was the author of the most comprehensive and accurate history of early Wyoming ever written. He also was responsible for the marking of many historic points and trails that otherwise would have been forgotten with time.
---Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY, Jan. 8, 1953
(Obituary provided by Betty Alberts, FAG Member #47293729)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Casper Star-Tribune
Wednesday, December 31, 1952
Front Page
A. J. Mokler, 89, Historian and Writer, Is Dead
Alfred James Mokler, pioner Wyoming newspaper publisher and widely recognized historian of Wyoming and the West, died Tuesday night at Natrona Memorial, where he had been a patient for the last two weeks. Mr. Mokler was 89 years of age at the time of his death. He had been a resident of Casper for 55 years.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Horstman-Gay Chapel, with the Rev. Charles A. Nowlen, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating, assisted by representatives of the Masonic Order. Interment will be made in the family plot in Highland Cemetery.
Mr. Mokler was born in Wilmington, Ill., May 21, 1863. After finishing his schooling in Illinois, he went to Kansas, where he worked four years at the printers' trade in White Cloud, Hiawatha and Sabetha. He then went to Peoria and later to Chicago, where he worked in newspaper offices. He returned to the West and worked in the offices of the Lincoln Journal, the Omaha Republican, the World-Herald and Bee until 1894. He was publisher of a newspaper at Platte Center, Neb., during the years of 1894, '95 and '96.
Came Here In 1897
From Platte Center he went to Great Falls, Mont., and bought an interest in the Commercial Printing Co., but sold his interest in April, 1897, when he bought the plant of the Natrona County Tribune from the Republican Publishing Co. He published the Tribune until Oct. 15, 1914, a period of 17 1/2 years, selling the paper to the late J. E. Hanway. He continued to make Casper his home and devoted the greater part of his time to research and writing on Wyoming historical subjects.
Mr. Mokler and Miss May Black of Fremont, Neb., were married in Fremont Dec. 31, 1890. Mrs. Mokler passed away in Casper March 10, 1951. Five children were born to them, two sons, Dr. Victor A. Mokler, who died last Nov. 2 in California, and Verne W. Mokler of Casper and three daughters, Mrs. Erwin Day, Mrs. J. R. Hansard and Miss Edness Mokler, all of Casper. Mr. Mokler leaves eight grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. A sister, Mrs. Eva Reno of Englewood, Colo., also survives.
Masonic Historian
Mr. Mokler became a member of the Masonic order in Casper in 1898 and since became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the different Masonic bodies in the York and Scottish Rites, and the Order of the Mystic Shrine. He had been grand historian of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Wyoming since 1922. In 1926 and 1929 he represented the Grand Master at Washington at the Grand Masters Conference of the United States and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association meeting. In 1929 he was one of a committee of 10 Masons to enter the Washington tomb and place a floral offering on Washington's sarcofagus. In 1931 he was chosen by Charles Scribner's Sons of New York City to prepare a 5,000 world history of Freemasonry in Wyoming for an American edition of Gould's History of Freemasonry, an international publication. He also wrote a history of Wyoming Free masonry for the Grand Lodge. He was a member of Casper Lodge No. 15 A. F. & A. M.
He conceived the idea of holding Masonic services on Independence Rock in 1920, in commemoration of the first Masonic services held on this old landmark of the Oregon trail in 1862, Which were the first Masonic services held in this part of the Rocky Mountain region. At the 1920 services about 250 Masons were present, and at similar services held in 1930, 626 members of the order were in attendance, and 32 states were represented. Similar services have been held at 10-year intervals since that time.
He gave the principal address at the ceremony in 1950.
Mr. Mokler was chief clerk of the House of Representatives of the Sixth Wyoming Legislature in 1901, and filled the responsible position with marked efficiency. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Wyoming for nine years, one year under Acting Gov. Fenimore Chatterton, six years under Gov. Bryant B. Brooks and two years under Gov. Joseph M. Carey.
On School Board
He was chairman of the Natrona County High School board during 1913-14, and under his administratioin and supervision the first Natrona County High School building in Casper was constructed, and wearing of uniforms by the students was inaugurated. Much other important school work also was accomplished during his administration.
He was appointed publicity agent for Natrona County during the sale of Liberty Bonds during World War I and was awared a medal from the U. S. Treasury Department, "for patriotic service in behalf of Liberty Bonds." He also received a number of highly complimentary letters from the department for his work.
He was president of the Commercial Printing Co. in Casper from 1918 to 1921 but sold his interest in the concern in order that he might devote all his time to literary work.
In 1923 he published the "History of Natrona County, Wyoming," after gathering the data and preparing the manuscript for more than five years. This was the first county history published in Wyoming and it is credited with being a high-class literary and historical work. Copies of this book are in many Casper homes, and it is also in nearly every public library in Wyoming and in most of the states libraries of the United States. It has had a large circulation in the states surrounding Wyoming, and many copies were subscribed for by people in Canada, England, France, Germany and other foreign countries. The book has been out of print for many years and has become difficult to obtain. The work is highly prized by all students of western history.
Mr. Mokler also was the author of "History of Freemasonry in Wyoming," "Transition of the West," "Guardians of the Western Frontier," "Fort Caspar," "Tragadies of the Range" and a great number of historical articles for magazines. In 1940 he launched a publication of a historical magazine, "The Wyoming Pioneer," Which was well received. Publication was later discontinued, however.
Headed Writers Club
He was a member of the Wester League of Writers, was the first president of the Casper Writers Club, was supervisor of the Platte River Empire District, consisting of Goshen, Platte, Converse, Natrona, Carbon and Albany Counties, for the Federal Writers Project during the latter part of 1935 and until the fall of 1936, when the project was finished. He has been listed in "Who's Who Amont American Authors" since 1923.
He was a member of the Wyoming Geographic Society, appointed by Gov. Emerson in 1928, and he furnished to the National Geographic Society a list and the origin of the names of all the mountains and rivers in Natrona County, in addition to furnishing the society with considerable other historical data of interest and importance to Central Wyoming.
In addition to his literary work Mr. Mokler gave freely of his time in the cause of public service. He was chairman of Casper's Fourth of July committee in 1931 and 1932, when very successful celebrations were conducted, and the Casper city council adopted a resolution commending him for his work in that connection.
Life-Long Republican
During the years 1932 and 1933 he was secretary-manager of the Natrona County Taxpayers League, when the taxes of the county were reduced more than $550,000 for the two years.
A long-time Republican, he was the delegate in 1932 from Natrona County to the Republican National Convention. Often he was urged to become a candidate for public office, but he always declined because he thought his literary and historical work would be of more importance and value to the people of his city, county and state than any public position he was competent to fill. In 1914 he was asked to make the race for governor but declined this suggestion also.
During the many years of his residence in Casper he participated in all its civic work as liberally as his means and health would afford. In 1913 he erected a substantial business block on North Center street and also built a number of residences in Casper. Since 1917 his home was at 655 Park Avenue.
Mr. Mokler received the Casper Kiwanis Club's Distinguished Service Award in 1937. This medal is awarded annually to a citizen of the state whose achievements in public service have been outstanding.
It was A. J. Mokler who initiated the idea of a Casper Chamber of Commerce and it was through his efforts that the first organization was perfected. He was vice president of the first group.
Mr. Mokler was an honorary life member of the Casper Literary Club, having taken an active part in its meetings and programs until late years when his health did not permit.
He was a member of the Natrona County Pioneers Society and also of the Wyoming Pioneers Society. He was a charter member of the Casper Country Club.
Had No. 1 Plate
For several years Mr. Mokler has been accorded the honor of receiving automobile press license plate No. 1.
The historian's last participation in a public ceremony took place late in July, 1952, at Fort Caspar. Mr. Mokler at that time turned the first shovelful of earth at the site of a proposed monument to be erected there. It was a rare occasion because of his declining health, and only his intense interest in the history of the old fort could have inducted him to take part. In 1938 Mr. Mokler had published "Fort Caspar (Platte Bridge Station)," a history of the fort and of the Battle of Platte Bridge. In that volume the author had condensed a large amount of material into a book of 100 pages, and, as he indicated in the foreword, the task of sifting fact from fancy had been a very difficult one, taking painstaking research.
Mr. Mokler's death occurred just one day prior to what would have been the pioneer couple's 63rd wedding anniversary.
s/o John Franklin Mokler and Elvina M. Biedleman
He was the author of the 1922 History Of Natrona County book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wyoming Pioneer-Historian Dies
A. J. Mokler, pioneer resident of Central Wyoming and foremost historian of the state, died last week at Memorial hospital in Casper. Mr. Mokler had been under treatment for pneumonia since Dec. 17.
Mr. Mokler, who spent his entire life in the vicinity of Casper, was the author of the most comprehensive and accurate history of early Wyoming ever written. He also was responsible for the marking of many historic points and trails that otherwise would have been forgotten with time.
---Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY, Jan. 8, 1953
(Obituary provided by Betty Alberts, FAG Member #47293729)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Casper Star-Tribune
Wednesday, December 31, 1952
Front Page
A. J. Mokler, 89, Historian and Writer, Is Dead
Alfred James Mokler, pioner Wyoming newspaper publisher and widely recognized historian of Wyoming and the West, died Tuesday night at Natrona Memorial, where he had been a patient for the last two weeks. Mr. Mokler was 89 years of age at the time of his death. He had been a resident of Casper for 55 years.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Horstman-Gay Chapel, with the Rev. Charles A. Nowlen, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating, assisted by representatives of the Masonic Order. Interment will be made in the family plot in Highland Cemetery.
Mr. Mokler was born in Wilmington, Ill., May 21, 1863. After finishing his schooling in Illinois, he went to Kansas, where he worked four years at the printers' trade in White Cloud, Hiawatha and Sabetha. He then went to Peoria and later to Chicago, where he worked in newspaper offices. He returned to the West and worked in the offices of the Lincoln Journal, the Omaha Republican, the World-Herald and Bee until 1894. He was publisher of a newspaper at Platte Center, Neb., during the years of 1894, '95 and '96.
Came Here In 1897
From Platte Center he went to Great Falls, Mont., and bought an interest in the Commercial Printing Co., but sold his interest in April, 1897, when he bought the plant of the Natrona County Tribune from the Republican Publishing Co. He published the Tribune until Oct. 15, 1914, a period of 17 1/2 years, selling the paper to the late J. E. Hanway. He continued to make Casper his home and devoted the greater part of his time to research and writing on Wyoming historical subjects.
Mr. Mokler and Miss May Black of Fremont, Neb., were married in Fremont Dec. 31, 1890. Mrs. Mokler passed away in Casper March 10, 1951. Five children were born to them, two sons, Dr. Victor A. Mokler, who died last Nov. 2 in California, and Verne W. Mokler of Casper and three daughters, Mrs. Erwin Day, Mrs. J. R. Hansard and Miss Edness Mokler, all of Casper. Mr. Mokler leaves eight grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. A sister, Mrs. Eva Reno of Englewood, Colo., also survives.
Masonic Historian
Mr. Mokler became a member of the Masonic order in Casper in 1898 and since became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the different Masonic bodies in the York and Scottish Rites, and the Order of the Mystic Shrine. He had been grand historian of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Wyoming since 1922. In 1926 and 1929 he represented the Grand Master at Washington at the Grand Masters Conference of the United States and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association meeting. In 1929 he was one of a committee of 10 Masons to enter the Washington tomb and place a floral offering on Washington's sarcofagus. In 1931 he was chosen by Charles Scribner's Sons of New York City to prepare a 5,000 world history of Freemasonry in Wyoming for an American edition of Gould's History of Freemasonry, an international publication. He also wrote a history of Wyoming Free masonry for the Grand Lodge. He was a member of Casper Lodge No. 15 A. F. & A. M.
He conceived the idea of holding Masonic services on Independence Rock in 1920, in commemoration of the first Masonic services held on this old landmark of the Oregon trail in 1862, Which were the first Masonic services held in this part of the Rocky Mountain region. At the 1920 services about 250 Masons were present, and at similar services held in 1930, 626 members of the order were in attendance, and 32 states were represented. Similar services have been held at 10-year intervals since that time.
He gave the principal address at the ceremony in 1950.
Mr. Mokler was chief clerk of the House of Representatives of the Sixth Wyoming Legislature in 1901, and filled the responsible position with marked efficiency. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Wyoming for nine years, one year under Acting Gov. Fenimore Chatterton, six years under Gov. Bryant B. Brooks and two years under Gov. Joseph M. Carey.
On School Board
He was chairman of the Natrona County High School board during 1913-14, and under his administratioin and supervision the first Natrona County High School building in Casper was constructed, and wearing of uniforms by the students was inaugurated. Much other important school work also was accomplished during his administration.
He was appointed publicity agent for Natrona County during the sale of Liberty Bonds during World War I and was awared a medal from the U. S. Treasury Department, "for patriotic service in behalf of Liberty Bonds." He also received a number of highly complimentary letters from the department for his work.
He was president of the Commercial Printing Co. in Casper from 1918 to 1921 but sold his interest in the concern in order that he might devote all his time to literary work.
In 1923 he published the "History of Natrona County, Wyoming," after gathering the data and preparing the manuscript for more than five years. This was the first county history published in Wyoming and it is credited with being a high-class literary and historical work. Copies of this book are in many Casper homes, and it is also in nearly every public library in Wyoming and in most of the states libraries of the United States. It has had a large circulation in the states surrounding Wyoming, and many copies were subscribed for by people in Canada, England, France, Germany and other foreign countries. The book has been out of print for many years and has become difficult to obtain. The work is highly prized by all students of western history.
Mr. Mokler also was the author of "History of Freemasonry in Wyoming," "Transition of the West," "Guardians of the Western Frontier," "Fort Caspar," "Tragadies of the Range" and a great number of historical articles for magazines. In 1940 he launched a publication of a historical magazine, "The Wyoming Pioneer," Which was well received. Publication was later discontinued, however.
Headed Writers Club
He was a member of the Wester League of Writers, was the first president of the Casper Writers Club, was supervisor of the Platte River Empire District, consisting of Goshen, Platte, Converse, Natrona, Carbon and Albany Counties, for the Federal Writers Project during the latter part of 1935 and until the fall of 1936, when the project was finished. He has been listed in "Who's Who Amont American Authors" since 1923.
He was a member of the Wyoming Geographic Society, appointed by Gov. Emerson in 1928, and he furnished to the National Geographic Society a list and the origin of the names of all the mountains and rivers in Natrona County, in addition to furnishing the society with considerable other historical data of interest and importance to Central Wyoming.
In addition to his literary work Mr. Mokler gave freely of his time in the cause of public service. He was chairman of Casper's Fourth of July committee in 1931 and 1932, when very successful celebrations were conducted, and the Casper city council adopted a resolution commending him for his work in that connection.
Life-Long Republican
During the years 1932 and 1933 he was secretary-manager of the Natrona County Taxpayers League, when the taxes of the county were reduced more than $550,000 for the two years.
A long-time Republican, he was the delegate in 1932 from Natrona County to the Republican National Convention. Often he was urged to become a candidate for public office, but he always declined because he thought his literary and historical work would be of more importance and value to the people of his city, county and state than any public position he was competent to fill. In 1914 he was asked to make the race for governor but declined this suggestion also.
During the many years of his residence in Casper he participated in all its civic work as liberally as his means and health would afford. In 1913 he erected a substantial business block on North Center street and also built a number of residences in Casper. Since 1917 his home was at 655 Park Avenue.
Mr. Mokler received the Casper Kiwanis Club's Distinguished Service Award in 1937. This medal is awarded annually to a citizen of the state whose achievements in public service have been outstanding.
It was A. J. Mokler who initiated the idea of a Casper Chamber of Commerce and it was through his efforts that the first organization was perfected. He was vice president of the first group.
Mr. Mokler was an honorary life member of the Casper Literary Club, having taken an active part in its meetings and programs until late years when his health did not permit.
He was a member of the Natrona County Pioneers Society and also of the Wyoming Pioneers Society. He was a charter member of the Casper Country Club.
Had No. 1 Plate
For several years Mr. Mokler has been accorded the honor of receiving automobile press license plate No. 1.
The historian's last participation in a public ceremony took place late in July, 1952, at Fort Caspar. Mr. Mokler at that time turned the first shovelful of earth at the site of a proposed monument to be erected there. It was a rare occasion because of his declining health, and only his intense interest in the history of the old fort could have inducted him to take part. In 1938 Mr. Mokler had published "Fort Caspar (Platte Bridge Station)," a history of the fort and of the Battle of Platte Bridge. In that volume the author had condensed a large amount of material into a book of 100 pages, and, as he indicated in the foreword, the task of sifting fact from fancy had been a very difficult one, taking painstaking research.
Mr. Mokler's death occurred just one day prior to what would have been the pioneer couple's 63rd wedding anniversary.
He was the author of the 1922 History Of Natrona County book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wyoming Pioneer-Historian Dies
A. J. Mokler, pioneer resident of Central Wyoming and foremost historian of the state, died last week at Memorial hospital in Casper. Mr. Mokler had been under treatment for pneumonia since Dec. 17.
Mr. Mokler, who spent his entire life in the vicinity of Casper, was the author of the most comprehensive and accurate history of early Wyoming ever written. He also was responsible for the marking of many historic points and trails that otherwise would have been forgotten with time.
---Douglas Budget, Douglas, WY, Jan. 8, 1953
(Obituary provided by Betty Alberts, FAG Member #47293729)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Casper Star-Tribune
Wednesday, December 31, 1952
Front Page
A. J. Mokler, 89, Historian and Writer, Is Dead
Alfred James Mokler, pioner Wyoming newspaper publisher and widely recognized historian of Wyoming and the West, died Tuesday night at Natrona Memorial, where he had been a patient for the last two weeks. Mr. Mokler was 89 years of age at the time of his death. He had been a resident of Casper for 55 years.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon at the Horstman-Gay Chapel, with the Rev. Charles A. Nowlen, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating, assisted by representatives of the Masonic Order. Interment will be made in the family plot in Highland Cemetery.
Mr. Mokler was born in Wilmington, Ill., May 21, 1863. After finishing his schooling in Illinois, he went to Kansas, where he worked four years at the printers' trade in White Cloud, Hiawatha and Sabetha. He then went to Peoria and later to Chicago, where he worked in newspaper offices. He returned to the West and worked in the offices of the Lincoln Journal, the Omaha Republican, the World-Herald and Bee until 1894. He was publisher of a newspaper at Platte Center, Neb., during the years of 1894, '95 and '96.
Came Here In 1897
From Platte Center he went to Great Falls, Mont., and bought an interest in the Commercial Printing Co., but sold his interest in April, 1897, when he bought the plant of the Natrona County Tribune from the Republican Publishing Co. He published the Tribune until Oct. 15, 1914, a period of 17 1/2 years, selling the paper to the late J. E. Hanway. He continued to make Casper his home and devoted the greater part of his time to research and writing on Wyoming historical subjects.
Mr. Mokler and Miss May Black of Fremont, Neb., were married in Fremont Dec. 31, 1890. Mrs. Mokler passed away in Casper March 10, 1951. Five children were born to them, two sons, Dr. Victor A. Mokler, who died last Nov. 2 in California, and Verne W. Mokler of Casper and three daughters, Mrs. Erwin Day, Mrs. J. R. Hansard and Miss Edness Mokler, all of Casper. Mr. Mokler leaves eight grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. A sister, Mrs. Eva Reno of Englewood, Colo., also survives.
Masonic Historian
Mr. Mokler became a member of the Masonic order in Casper in 1898 and since became a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the different Masonic bodies in the York and Scottish Rites, and the Order of the Mystic Shrine. He had been grand historian of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Wyoming since 1922. In 1926 and 1929 he represented the Grand Master at Washington at the Grand Masters Conference of the United States and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association meeting. In 1929 he was one of a committee of 10 Masons to enter the Washington tomb and place a floral offering on Washington's sarcofagus. In 1931 he was chosen by Charles Scribner's Sons of New York City to prepare a 5,000 world history of Freemasonry in Wyoming for an American edition of Gould's History of Freemasonry, an international publication. He also wrote a history of Wyoming Free masonry for the Grand Lodge. He was a member of Casper Lodge No. 15 A. F. & A. M.
He conceived the idea of holding Masonic services on Independence Rock in 1920, in commemoration of the first Masonic services held on this old landmark of the Oregon trail in 1862, Which were the first Masonic services held in this part of the Rocky Mountain region. At the 1920 services about 250 Masons were present, and at similar services held in 1930, 626 members of the order were in attendance, and 32 states were represented. Similar services have been held at 10-year intervals since that time.
He gave the principal address at the ceremony in 1950.
Mr. Mokler was chief clerk of the House of Representatives of the Sixth Wyoming Legislature in 1901, and filled the responsible position with marked efficiency. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Wyoming for nine years, one year under Acting Gov. Fenimore Chatterton, six years under Gov. Bryant B. Brooks and two years under Gov. Joseph M. Carey.
On School Board
He was chairman of the Natrona County High School board during 1913-14, and under his administratioin and supervision the first Natrona County High School building in Casper was constructed, and wearing of uniforms by the students was inaugurated. Much other important school work also was accomplished during his administration.
He was appointed publicity agent for Natrona County during the sale of Liberty Bonds during World War I and was awared a medal from the U. S. Treasury Department, "for patriotic service in behalf of Liberty Bonds." He also received a number of highly complimentary letters from the department for his work.
He was president of the Commercial Printing Co. in Casper from 1918 to 1921 but sold his interest in the concern in order that he might devote all his time to literary work.
In 1923 he published the "History of Natrona County, Wyoming," after gathering the data and preparing the manuscript for more than five years. This was the first county history published in Wyoming and it is credited with being a high-class literary and historical work. Copies of this book are in many Casper homes, and it is also in nearly every public library in Wyoming and in most of the states libraries of the United States. It has had a large circulation in the states surrounding Wyoming, and many copies were subscribed for by people in Canada, England, France, Germany and other foreign countries. The book has been out of print for many years and has become difficult to obtain. The work is highly prized by all students of western history.
Mr. Mokler also was the author of "History of Freemasonry in Wyoming," "Transition of the West," "Guardians of the Western Frontier," "Fort Caspar," "Tragadies of the Range" and a great number of historical articles for magazines. In 1940 he launched a publication of a historical magazine, "The Wyoming Pioneer," Which was well received. Publication was later discontinued, however.
Headed Writers Club
He was a member of the Wester League of Writers, was the first president of the Casper Writers Club, was supervisor of the Platte River Empire District, consisting of Goshen, Platte, Converse, Natrona, Carbon and Albany Counties, for the Federal Writers Project during the latter part of 1935 and until the fall of 1936, when the project was finished. He has been listed in "Who's Who Amont American Authors" since 1923.
He was a member of the Wyoming Geographic Society, appointed by Gov. Emerson in 1928, and he furnished to the National Geographic Society a list and the origin of the names of all the mountains and rivers in Natrona County, in addition to furnishing the society with considerable other historical data of interest and importance to Central Wyoming.
In addition to his literary work Mr. Mokler gave freely of his time in the cause of public service. He was chairman of Casper's Fourth of July committee in 1931 and 1932, when very successful celebrations were conducted, and the Casper city council adopted a resolution commending him for his work in that connection.
Life-Long Republican
During the years 1932 and 1933 he was secretary-manager of the Natrona County Taxpayers League, when the taxes of the county were reduced more than $550,000 for the two years.
A long-time Republican, he was the delegate in 1932 from Natrona County to the Republican National Convention. Often he was urged to become a candidate for public office, but he always declined because he thought his literary and historical work would be of more importance and value to the people of his city, county and state than any public position he was competent to fill. In 1914 he was asked to make the race for governor but declined this suggestion also.
During the many years of his residence in Casper he participated in all its civic work as liberally as his means and health would afford. In 1913 he erected a substantial business block on North Center street and also built a number of residences in Casper. Since 1917 his home was at 655 Park Avenue.
Mr. Mokler received the Casper Kiwanis Club's Distinguished Service Award in 1937. This medal is awarded annually to a citizen of the state whose achievements in public service have been outstanding.
It was A. J. Mokler who initiated the idea of a Casper Chamber of Commerce and it was through his efforts that the first organization was perfected. He was vice president of the first group.
Mr. Mokler was an honorary life member of the Casper Literary Club, having taken an active part in its meetings and programs until late years when his health did not permit.
He was a member of the Natrona County Pioneers Society and also of the Wyoming Pioneers Society. He was a charter member of the Casper Country Club.
Had No. 1 Plate
For several years Mr. Mokler has been accorded the honor of receiving automobile press license plate No. 1.
The historian's last participation in a public ceremony took place late in July, 1952, at Fort Caspar. Mr. Mokler at that time turned the first shovelful of earth at the site of a proposed monument to be erected there. It was a rare occasion because of his declining health, and only his intense interest in the history of the old fort could have inducted him to take part. In 1938 Mr. Mokler had published "Fort Caspar (Platte Bridge Station)," a history of the fort and of the Battle of Platte Bridge. In that volume the author had condensed a large amount of material into a book of 100 pages, and, as he indicated in the foreword, the task of sifting fact from fancy had been a very difficult one, taking painstaking research.
Mr. Mokler's death occurred just one day prior to what would have been the pioneer couple's 63rd wedding anniversary.
Family Members
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